Nurturing creativity in a world of conformity: Sir Ken Robinson's message for change


By Lindelwa Masuku

"We Don't Grow Into Creativity, We Grow Out of It." As a renowned creativity expert, Sir Ken highlights the difference between the creative mindset of children and adults, and argues that the loss of our natural creative capacities is largely due to the way we are educated. 

As a writer for The Joburg Post, I have the privilege of sharing with our readers the power of words and the impact they can have on our lives. This week, we are focusing on the insights of creativity expert Sir Ken Robinson, who shares a powerful message about the role of creativity in our lives.

Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally recognized expert in creativity, innovation, and education. He is a renowned author, speaker, and consultant who has spent his career helping individuals and organizations unleash their creative potential. 



Sir Ken is best known for his groundbreaking TED Talk, "Do Schools Kill Creativity?" which has been viewed over 66 million times and has inspired a global movement to reform education and promote creativity.

In his statement, "We Don't Grow Into Creativity, We Grow Out of It," Sir Ken highlights the difference between the creative mindset of children and adults. Children are naturally curious and uninhibited in their exploration of the world around them. 

They are willing to take risks, make mistakes, and try new things without fear of failure. This allows them to be more creative and imaginative in their thinking and problem-solving.

However, as we grow older, we become more constrained by social norms, expectations, and a fear of failure. We become more risk-averse and less willing to explore new ideas or approaches. This, in turn, stifles our creativity and limits our potential for innovation.

Sir Ken argues that the transformation from childhood to adulthood and the loss of our natural creative capacities is largely due to the way we are educated. He believes that the current education system is designed to promote conformity and compliance rather than creativity and innovation. 


The focus on standardised testing and rote learning leaves little room for curiosity, experimentation, and exploration.

Sir Ken's work is invaluable in a world that is yearning for new creative solutions and innovations to pressing problems. He has dedicated his career to challenging the status quo and promoting a more holistic and creative approach to education. 

He has worked with governments, schools, and businesses around the world to promote creativity and innovation, and his impact has been felt by millions of people.

So why have I chosen this statement as this week's power of words article? 

I believe that creativity is one of the most powerful forces in the world. It has the ability to transform lives, communities, and even entire nations. Creativity is what drives innovation and progress, and it is essential to solving the complex challenges we face today.

However, all too often, we underestimate the power of creativity and fail to nurture it in ourselves and others. We live in a world that values conformity and compliance over curiosity and exploration. We are taught to fear failure and to stick to the tried and true rather than take risks and try something new.

Sir Ken's message is a wake-up call to all of us. It is a reminder that we all have a natural capacity for creativity, but that we must nurture it and protect it if we are to realize our full potential. 

It is a call to action to reform our education system and to promote a more creative and innovative approach to learning.


The power of words can be transformative. Sir Ken Robinson's statement, "We Don't Grow Into Creativity, We Grow Out of It," is a powerful reminder of the importance of creativity in our lives. 

It is a call to embrace our natural capacity for creativity, to nurture it in ourselves and others, and to work towards a world that values curiosity, experimentation, and innovation. 

Sir Ken's work is invaluable in this mission, and we can all learn from his insights and apply them to our own lives and work.

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