The Creativity Conundrum: Why We Learn to Keep Our Best Ideas to Ourselves

 

Ever have a great idea but hesitate to share it? Maybe you thought it was too different, too risky, or worried about how others would react.

You’re not alone.

Adam Grant, in his book Originals, points out that teachers often see highly creative students as troublemakers. Non-conforming, out-of-the-box thinkers? More likely to be labeled disruptive than encouraged. The system rewards compliance. Creativity? Not so much.

I get it because I lived it.

As a kid, my creativity wasn’t about drawing or painting. It was about ideas. How to get the most out of a team on the court or field. How to make classes less boring and more engaging. How to tell stories in a way that made people think or laugh. How to DJ in a way that made the crowd feel something. But more often than not, those ideas didn’t fit the mold of what teachers, coaches, or other adults expected.

When I asked a coach why we were running a particular play or drill, I was considered a problem. When I approached writing assignments differently—using humor, unique angles, or unconventional structures—I was met with skepticism. My DJing, which started when I was barely a teenager, was a passion and a business, but adults saw it as a hobby, something fun rather than something with real potential. In the classroom, on the court, or on the field, when I saw a better way to do something and spoke up, I could sense the resistance. Follow the rules. Do it like everyone else.

I had a choice: keep my ideas to myself or fight through the criticism. I did both.

There were times I held back, choosing the easier path of conformity. But other times, I couldn’t ignore the pull of storytelling, problem-solving, and creative expression. I pushed forward, refining my voice, my approach, and my ability to sell an idea—not just in marketing, but in life. It wasn’t easy. It still isn’t.

The fear of criticism is real. But here’s the thing—creativity is disruption. The best ideas challenge the status quo. They make people uncomfortable. And that’s exactly why they matter.

The System Rewards Conformity

Grant’s research isn’t just about kids in school—it’s about what happens when those kids grow up and enter the workforce. The same patterns play out. Creativity gets filtered through layers of approval, risk assessment, and fear of failure. People with fresh ideas get met with, “That’s not how we do things here.”

The result? People learn to keep their ideas to themselves. They play it safe. And the cycle continues.

Think about it. How often have you been in a meeting where someone clearly had a different perspective but didn’t share it? Or worse—maybe you were that person? The potential for rejection, ridicule, or simply being ignored is enough to make most people stay quiet.

But Creativity Drives Progress

The irony? The biggest breakthroughs—whether in business, technology, or culture—come from people willing to challenge the norms. The ones who don’t accept “because we’ve always done it that way” as an answer.

Look at the companies that changed industries: Apple. Tesla. Amazon. They weren’t afraid to rethink how things were done. But even on a smaller scale, in everyday business and life, the same principle applies.

The best marketing strategies, the best storytelling, the best leadership ideas don’t come from playing it safe. They come from people who are willing to put their ideas out there, even when it feels uncomfortable.

So How Do We Fix It?

We need to rethink how we approach creativity—at home, in schools, and in business.

1. Encourage Creative Thinking Early – Schools and workplaces need to stop rewarding only compliance. Make room for ideas that don’t fit the mold. Not every writing assignment needs to follow the five-paragraph essay structure. Not every business solution has to come from the way things have always been done.
2. Redefine “Troublemakers” – The students, employees, and leaders who challenge norms often drive the biggest changes. Recognize and support them instead of trying to fit them into a rigid structure.
3. Fight Through the Fear – Creativity takes courage. Share your ideas. Pitch that unconventional solution. Refine your approach, but don’t silence yourself. The best ideas don’t always get applause right away. That doesn’t mean they aren’t worth pushing forward.

The world doesn’t need more people playing it safe. It needs more Originals.

So, next time you hesitate before sharing that big idea? Don’t. The world might not be ready—but that’s their problem, not yours.