Creative thinking is the ability to come up with unique and original solutions to problems. It involves developing innovative solutions to problems by brainstorming and testing new ideas. Creative thinking is a valuable and marketable soft skill in a wide variety of careers. It is a characteristic of someone or some process that forms something new and valuable, which may be intangible or a physical object.

There are different approaches to creative thinking, including cognitive approaches that try to describe thought mechanisms and techniques for creative thinking. Theories invoking divergent thinking, such as that of Guilford, or those describing the staging of the creative process, such as that of Wallas, are primarily theories of the creative process. Divergent thinking is sometimes used as a synonym for creativity in psychology literature or is considered the necessary precursor to creativity. However, there is a clear distinction between creative thinking and divergent thinking. Creative thinking focuses upon the production, combination, and assessment of ideas to formulate something new and unique while divergent thinking focuses on the act of conceiving of a variety of ideas which are not necessarily new or unique.

Creative thinking includes the process of innovative problem-solving, from analyzing the facts to brainstorming to working with others. Examples of skills that are part of creative thinking include analytical skills, innovation, and collaboration. Analytical skills are problem-solving skills that help you sort through facts, data, and information to develop rational solutions. These skills aid you in the first part of the creative thinking process as you brainstorm and start to generate ideas.

Creative thinking works by igniting our curiosity and intentionally gaining new insights and different ideas through existing information. It allows you to try on perspectives that you may not have considered before, which can offer higher self-awareness and build mental sharpness. Challenging your traditional way of thinking can also help you recognize patterns that may not be obvious at first glance, making you a better problem-solver.