Creative thinking in the workplace: Why this skill will shape our future

The key insight from over a decade of WEF future reports:

Creative thinking in the workplace and critical thinking remain the most important skills—even in the age of artificial intelligence.
We recently asked several hundred students to write a short report showing how they would apply design thinking methods to a specific project task. It quickly became clear who had relied on generative AI.
Some described the design thinking process in too general terms and without reference to teaching. Others referred to course content without linking it meaningfully to their task.
The real skill lies in understanding the tools, analyzing the problem, and applying them creatively to a real-world challenge.
What was often missing was the targeted combination of creative and critical thinking—which is key to successful implementation in real life.

Fit for the future through creative thinking in the workplace

The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs 2025” report shows that creative thinking in the workplace is one of the top skills of the future. Alongside analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, and technological understanding, creativity is becoming increasingly valued. AI does not replace creative processes—it supports and enhances them. This makes AI-supported creativity a key topic for the future.

Creative thinking: a key competency since 2015

Since 2015, creative and critical thinking have been among the three most important skills according to the WEF. Together, they enable innovative approaches and genuine problem-solving skills.
They even rank ahead of skills such as resilience, adaptability, and agility—because those who think creatively and critically are better able to deal with change.

How AI is changing the skills we seek

In 2015, negotiation skills were still at the top of the list. From 2020 onwards, they increasingly disappeared from the top 10 – because machines can make decisions. According to McKinsey, the demand for manual and simple cognitive skills is declining. Social, emotional, and technological skills, on the other hand, are becoming more important. The ability to transfer knowledge flexibly to new contexts will be crucial for the future.

Stay human—and think creatively

New technologies, products, and ways of working demand one thing: creative thinking in the workplace. Goldman Sachs estimates that two-thirds of today’s jobs will soon be automated. At the same time, global GDP is expected to grow by 7%—thanks to AI alone.
This means that those who think creatively can take advantage of the opportunities offered by new technologies and reposition themselves.

Staying creative with AI – instead of being replaced

Just as the calculator revolutionized arithmetic, AI can inspire our creativity. Tools such as ChatGPT help us develop new ideas—if we know how. The key is:

• Creative thinking helps you ask the right questions
• Critical thinking ensures relevance, feasibility, and clarity.

How to strengthen creative thinking in the workplace

Practical tips for personal development:

• Define the core issue: What is the real problem? Formulate it clearly.
• Encourage curiosity: Ask lots of questions, think from different perspectives.
• Train your creativity: regularly develop ideas on new topics.
• Leave your comfort zone: Try new things, consciously take different paths.
• Walking instead of brooding: A walk often works wonders for new ideas.
• Visualize: Record your thoughts graphically to identify patterns.

Conclusion: Creative thinking in the workplace is not an option—it is a must.

In a world full of technological upheaval, our greatest potential remains our most human trait: the ability to think creatively. Those who develop this skill now will be well equipped for the working world of tomorrow.

|Andrew Grant