Introduction: The Power of Creativity

In Harry Chapin’s hauntingly poignant song, Flowers are Red, a young boy’s creativity is stifled by a teacher who insists that “flowers are red” and “green leaves are green.” The boy’s imaginative world of multicolored flowers fades under the pressure of conformity, leaving him with a diminished sense of self-expression. This story is not just a metaphor; it is a mirror reflecting how education systems often suppress the creative spark in children.

This suppression has profound consequences. Creativity, a skill crucial for problem-solving and innovation, is systematically diminished over time. Studies show that 98% of children aged five test as divergent thinkers, capable of generating creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. However, by the age of 25, this percentage drops dramatically to just 2%. By addressing the root of this issue, we can rebuild the creative confidence we all had as children and use it to make meaningful changes in our personal and professional lives.

The Lyrics of “Flowers are Red”

To fully appreciate the message of this song, here are the lyrics:

The little boy went first day of school, He got some crayons and started to draw, He put colors all over the paper, For colors was what he saw.

And the teacher said, “What you doin’ young man?” “I’m painting flowers,” he said She said, “It’s not the time for art, young man, And anyway, flowers are green and red, There’s a time for everything, young man, And a way it should be done, You’ve got to show concern for everyone else, For you’re not the only one.”

And she said, “Flowers are red, young man, Green leaves are green, There’s no need to see flowers any other way, Than the way they always have been seen.”

But the little boy said, “There are so many colors in the rainbow, So many colors in the morning sun, So many colors in the flower and I see every one.”

The teacher said, “You’re sassy, There’s ways that things should be, And you’ll paint flowers the way they are, So repeat after me…”

And she said, “Flowers are red, Green leaves are green, There’s no need to see flowers any other way, Than the way they always have been seen.”

But the little boy said, “There are so many colors in the rainbow, So many colors in the morning sun, So many colors in the flower and I see every one.”

The teacher put him in a corner She said, “It’s for your own good, And you won’t come out ’til you get it right, And are responding like you should.”

Finally he got lonely, Frightened thoughts filled his head, And he went up to the teacher, And this is what he said:
“Flowers are red, Green leaves are green, There’s no need to see flowers any other way, Than the way they always have been seen.”

The Suppression of Creativity in Education

For decades, our educational systems have prioritized standardized testing, rote memorization, and “coloring inside the lines.” This approach might prepare students for routine tasks, but it does little to nurture their innate creativity. Studies reveal that creative confidence is often undermined during critical developmental years.

In kindergarten, children are encouraged to draw freely, but by the first grade, they are told to “stay within the lines.” As they progress, evaluations, comparisons, and societal norms teach them that there is a “right way” to create. These messages suppress their natural inclination to explore, experiment, and innovate.

Why Creative Confidence Matters

Creative confidence is the belief in one’s ability to generate and act on new ideas. It is the antidote to the suppression of creativity. Without it, we lose our capacity for innovation and risk-taking, both essential in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing world.

When we are creatively confident, we approach problems with curiosity and resilience. Divergent thinking, proven to improve language proficiency, entrepreneurial potential, and mood, becomes a central part of how we think and act. Most importantly, we reconnect with the joy and freedom of self-expression, which fuels personal and professional success.

Introducing the Creative Confidence Assessment

Recognizing the need to rebuild creative confidence, I developed the Creative Confidence Assessment. This tool is designed to:

• Measure Baseline Creativity: Understand where you are today in terms of creative potential.
• Identify Areas for Growth: Highlight specific aspects of creativity that can be improved.
• Provide Actionable Steps: Offer clear, practical strategies for building your creative confidence.

By establishing a baseline and tracking progress, the assessment helps individuals rediscover their creativity and apply it to achieve their goals.

Rebuilding Creative Confidence: A Personal Mission

The story of Flowers are Red isn’t just about loss; it’s about the possibility of reclaiming what was taken. Just as the boy in the song initially painted with all the colors of the rainbow, we too can rediscover our creative potential. The process starts with acknowledging what was lost and taking deliberate steps to rebuild.

My mission is to help people on this journey. Through workshops, assessments, and one-on-one coaching, I’ve seen firsthand how individuals and teams can transform their approach to problem-solving and innovation. Exercises like “Draw Your Neighbor” have shown people that creativity, though often buried, can still be accessed with practice.

Conclusion: A Creative Revolution

Imagine a world where creativity is celebrated, not suppressed. A world where children grow into adults who innovate fearlessly and express themselves freely. This is the vision that drives my work.

I invite you to join this movement. Start by taking the Creative Confidence Assessment and see where your journey begins. Together, we can rebuild what was lost, one idea at a time, and create a future that is as colorful and boundless as our imaginations once were.

Let’s start changing the world, one bad drawing at a time.