--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Creativity is a lot like looking at the…" description: "\"Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassem..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_bits-and-pieces_creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the_1087036.png" --- # Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a… ![“Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility. Effective leaders are able to” quote by Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_bits-and-pieces_creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the_1087036.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_bits-and-pieces_creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the_1087036.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/rosabeth-moss-kanter-4386_bits-and-pieces_creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the_1087036.png) > “Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else sees, but then reassemble those floating bits and pieces into an enticing new possibility. Effective leaders are able to” [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Creativity involves reconfiguring familiar elements into novel possibilities, a skill leaders must cultivate. **In simple terms:** Rearrange known pieces to create new ideas. Key Takeaway Practice recombining existing concepts. Themes leadership creativity innovation Mood inspirational strategic Type leadership creative When to use this quote - team brainstorming - product development - strategic planning Key Concepts systems thinking design thinking Questions to Reflect On - What familiar elements can you recombine today? - How can you foster a culture that encourages recombination? A Different Perspective Leaders may struggle to break habitual patterns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bits and pieces](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bits-and-pieces/) [Creativity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity/) [Creativity Lot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creativity-lot-1949054/) [Effective Leaders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effective-leaders/) [Leaders Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leaders-able-577785/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [New Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-possibility-485313/) ## Related quotes > [Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the-world-through-a-kaleidoscope/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Great leaders are those who are able to look reality in the face, however painful it may be, and deal with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-powell/great-leaders-are-those-who-are-able-to-look-reality-in-the-face/) [Colin Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-powell/) > [Leaders should be able to Stand Alone, Take the Heat, Bear the Pain, Tell the Truth, and Do What's Right](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-de-pree/leaders-should-be-able-to-stand-alone-take-the-heat-bear-the-pain/) [Max De Pree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-de-pree/) > [Creativity has a lot to do with the main idea. Inspiration is what comes when you are dealing with the idea. But inspiration won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/creativity-has-a-lot-to-do-with-the-main-idea-inspiration-is-what/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [The great enemy of creativity is fear. When we're fearful, we freeze up - like a nine-year-old who won't draw pictures, for fear everybody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faith-ringgold/the-great-enemy-of-creativity-is-fear-when-we-re-fearful-we-freeze-up/) [Faith Ringgold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faith-ringgold/) > [Creativity, for a lot of young people, is a coping mechanism. It's the only place they feel comfortable. It's the only time they feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dini/creativity-for-a-lot-of-young-people-is-a-coping-mechanism-it-s-the/) [Paul Dini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dini/) > [“This leader who has developed millions of other leaders is able to do so because he never stops developing himself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-wiseman/this-leader-who-has-developed-millions-of-other-leaders-is-able-to-do/) [Liz Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-wiseman/) > [Great leaders must be able to realize when something isn’t working-no matter how hard they’ve worked to make it succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/great-leaders-must-be-able-to-realize-when-something-isn-t-working-no/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [Competition has never been more threatening than it is now. Innovative thinkers challenge the status quo in their organizations. They are often viewed as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/competition-has-never-been-more-threatening-than-it-is-now-innovative/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [A dream is the bearer of a new possibility, the enlarged horizon, the great hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-thurman/a-dream-is-the-bearer-of-a-new-possibility-the-enlarged-horizon-the/) [Howard Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-thurman/) > [“The whole spiritual process is just this: that you are willing to take the next step not knowing where it will lead you. If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadhguru/the-whole-spiritual-process-is-just-this-that-you-are-willing-to-take/) [Sadhguru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadhguru/) > [“You, right this minute, stand at the growing tip of evolution. The next thing you think, the next action you take, will either create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-right-this-minute-stand-at-the-growing-tip-of-evolution-the-next/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Any new possibility that existence acquires, even the least likely, transforms everything about existence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/any-new-possibility-that-existence-acquires-even-the-least-likely/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [The next thing you think, the next action you take, will either create a new possibility for you, or it will repeat the past.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-next-thing-you-think-the-next-action-you-take-will-either-create/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“My new life was unstable and unsure, but each new day was shot through with new possibility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-ko/my-new-life-was-unstable-and-unsure-but-each-new-day-was-shot-through/) [Lisa Ko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-ko/) ## More by Rosabeth Moss Kanter > [Not everyone in an organization is in a position to accumulate power through competent performance because most people are just carrying out the ordinary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/not-everyone-in-an-organization-is-in-a-position-to-accumulate-power/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [I wonder whether there has been too much emphasis on teaching women to conform, to fit into the system. Certainly that suits conservative organizations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-wonder-whether-there-has-been-too-much-emphasis-on-teaching-women/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [After years of telling corporate citizens to 'trust the system,' many companies must relearn instead to trust their people - and encourage their people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/after-years-of-telling-corporate-citizens-to-trust-the-system-many/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. You look at a set of elements, the same ones everyone else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/creativity-is-a-lot-like-looking-at-the-world-through-a-kaleidoscope/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [The difference between "winners" and "losers" is not whether they face obstacles and setbacks - we all do, and it is inevitable that plans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/the-difference-between-winners-and-losers-is-not-whether-they-face/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Friendly people are caring people, eager to provide encouragement and support when needed most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/friendly-people-are-caring-people-eager-to-provide-encouragement-and/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Power is the ability to get things done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-is-the-ability-to-get-things-done/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [I've been looking at companies that are on a positive path vs. a negative path and I've come to use the language of sports,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/i-ve-been-looking-at-companies-that-are-on-a-positive-path-vs-a/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Power stems from 'rainmaking,' as law firms put it: the ability to bring resources into the company.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-stems-from-rainmaking-as-law-firms-put-it-the-ability-to-bring/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Leaders must pick causes they won't abandon easily, remain committed despite setbacks, and communicate their big ideas over and over again in every encounter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/leaders-must-pick-causes-they-won-t-abandon-easily-remain-committed/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Companies used to be able to function with autocratic bosses. We don't live in that world anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/companies-used-to-be-able-to-function-with-autocratic-bosses-we-don-t/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Everything looks like a failure in the middle. In neary every change project, doubt is cast on the original vision because problems are mounting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/everything-looks-like-a-failure-in-the-middle-in-neary-every-change/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Confidence is not lodged in people's brains, it comes from the support system that surrounds them. Let's not confuse confidence overall with just self-confidence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/confidence-is-not-lodged-in-people-s-brains-it-comes-from-the-support/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [During the Boom Years, it was so easy to lose sight of basic values. For example, there was lots of nonsense said and written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/during-the-boom-years-it-was-so-easy-to-lose-sight-of-basic-values/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Winning becomes easier over time as the cornerstones of confidence become habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/winning-becomes-easier-over-time-as-the-cornerstones-of-confidence/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) [Explore all 111 Rosabeth Moss Kanter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) ## More Bits and pieces quotes > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [You can't fool an audience with lots of bits and pieces. You have to lead them somewhere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-rampling/you-can-t-fool-an-audience-with-lots-of-bits-and-pieces-you-have-to/) [Charlotte Rampling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-rampling/) > [ Our revolution is like Wikipedia, okay? Everyone is contributing content, \[but\] you don't know the names of the people contributing the content. This is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wael-ghonim/our-revolution-is-like-wikipedia-okay-everyone-is-contributing/) [Wael Ghonim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wael-ghonim/) > [“I sat at her desk and turned one page after another, staring at what looked like bits and pieces of black lace laid cross…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-monk-kidd/i-sat-at-her-desk-and-turned-one-page-after-another-staring-at-what/) [Sue Monk Kidd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-monk-kidd/) > [“Someone who is reinventing always has spare time. Part of reinvention is collecting little bits and pieces of time and carving them the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-altucher/someone-who-is-reinventing-always-has-spare-time-part-of-reinvention/) [James Altucher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-altucher/) > [“A clearing of a gravelly throat pulled him from his thoughts. He turned and looked at Thomas, the boat captain, who was seventy if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-kauffman/a-clearing-of-a-gravelly-throat-pulled-him-from-his-thoughts-he/) [Donna Kauffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-kauffman/) > [At this point we've answered about every question you could possibly imagine about Deep Space Nine, so we do this thing called Theatrical Jazz,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rene-auberjonois/at-this-point-we-ve-answered-about-every-question-you-could-possibly/) [Rene Auberjonois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rene-auberjonois/) > [ I missed the whole thing \[X-files series\]. And I know it went for nine seasons, and I think I saw bits and pieces of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-darby/i-missed-the-whole-thing-x-files-series-and-i-know-it-went-for-nine/) [Rhys Darby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-darby/) > [“Novelist Sinclair Lewis was supposed to deliver an hour-long lecture to a group of college students who planned to be writers. Lewis opened his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-prichard/novelist-sinclair-lewis-was-supposed-to-deliver-an-hour-long-lecture/) [Peter Prichard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-prichard/) > [If you can't imagine it, think clumsy silence. Think bits and pieces of floating despair. And drowning in a train.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/markus-zusak/if-you-can-t-imagine-it-think-clumsy-silence-think-bits-and-pieces-of/) [Markus Zusak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/markus-zusak/) > [“I knew that in the last few minutes everything had changed. I'd tried to hold myself apart, showing only what I wanted, doling out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/i-knew-that-in-the-last-few-minutes-everything-had-changed-i-d-tried/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [“But everyone remembered; what she loved was this, here, now, in front of her; the fat lady in the cab. Did it matter then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virginia-woolf/but-everyone-remembered-what-she-loved-was-this-here-now-in-front-of/) [Virginia Woolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virginia-woolf/) > [Growing up, for years and years I had no idea what the plots of operas were, and that's part of what fascinated me -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rufus-wainwright/growing-up-for-years-and-years-i-had-no-idea-what-the-plots-of-operas/) [Rufus Wainwright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rufus-wainwright/) > [“I have to admit that most of the time I read in the same way that I smoke and chew gum and jiggle my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-chaon/i-have-to-admit-that-most-of-the-time-i-read-in-the-same-way-that-i/) [Dan Chaon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-chaon/) > [I take little bits and pieces of ideas that I may or may not believe in but I give them to this character and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jhonen-vasquez/i-take-little-bits-and-pieces-of-ideas-that-i-may-or-may-not-believe/) [Jhonen Vasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jhonen-vasquez/) [Browse all 259 Bits and pieces quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bits-and-pieces/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Creativity is a lot like looking at the world through a kaleidoscope. 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