The Value of Small Wins and the Progress Principle with Dr. Teresa Amabile (Part Two)

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Listen to Part One of the Double Expresso here!

In this exceptional double espresso of the Fueling Creativity in Education podcast, hosts Dr. Matthew Worwood and Dr. Cyndi Burnett are joined by Dr. Teresa Amabile for part two of a discussion on creativity in education. The three explore the application of Dr. Amabile's Progress Principle, a concept that emphasizes how small wins drive motivation and creativity, even in classroom environments. Dr. Amabile shares insights from her research involving R&D teams at corporations, revealing how a positive inner work life, driven by progress in meaningful work, fosters creativity and productivity. The discussion expands into the significance of learning from setbacks and mistakes, a practice essential for both children and adults, and how celebrating failures can lead to further progress and creativity in education.

The episode also touches upon the intriguing topic of creativity in retirement, where Dr. Amabile shares findings from her recent research on life satisfaction of retirees, highlighting the importance of creative opportunities during the later years of one's career. Additionally, the episode addresses the potential impact of generative AI on creativity, sparking thoughts on its potential to support or hinder human creativity. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Amabile weaves personal stories and insights that add a warm, engaging touch to the academic discussion, offering listeners a fusion of inspiration and practical applications for fostering creativity in various stages of life and work.

The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work

Retiring: Creating a Life that Works for You

About Dr. Teresa Amabile:

Dr. Teresa Amabile is a world-renowned expert in creativity research, with 50 years of groundbreaking work in the field. She is the Edsel Bryant Ford Professor, Emerita, at Harvard Business School and originally trained as a chemist before earning her Ph.D. in psychology from Stanford University. Her research has explored the intersection of creativity, motivation, and the work environment, shaping how we understand and foster innovation. Dr. Amabile is the author of several influential books, including Growing Up Creative, Creativity in Context, The Progress Principle, and most recently, Retiring: Creating a Life that Works for You, as well as over 100 research articles and scholarly chapters. Her work continues to inspire educators, leaders, and organizations to cultivate environments that nurture creativity and innovation.

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For more information on Creativity in Education, check out:

Matt's Website: Worwood Classroom

Cyndi's Website: Creativity and Education