What Kind of Genius are You?

There’s a nice article in this month’s Wired by Daniel Pink. It’s called “What Kind of Genius are You?”.
It covers the nature of change and the basic ambiguity we must address due to the contradictory nature of change. Dan explores a new theory that suggests that creativity comes in two distinct types; quick and dramatic, or careful and quiet.
I’ve always thought that change has a similar two-type arc – change is either evolutionary or revolutionary. It can feel natural and happen almost unnoticed or it can just slap you in the face. And both types can happen simultaneously.
Anyway, we seem to attract both types of change and creativity in libraryland. I think it helps to recognize this when we’re planning for change. The evolutionary type and the careful and quiet creativity can be more easily planned for than the revolutionary, dramatic changes. Both happen. Some aren’t exactly good and some are highly desirable. Think of the difference between changes engendered by budget cuts and those from new money from special grants.
Stephen