MORE ABOUT CCT'S DIRECTOR
About My Passion
Often in my work with helping others to find their passions, I usually start by asking some version of, “What is it that you really want to do in life?” Almost invariably, I get the response, “I just want to help people.” Most humans want to help people. I know that If I was asked the same question, my own response would be pretty much the same!
-But I know that I could readily expand on my response. I have discovered that through creativity I can “help people” in profound and transformative ways. There are many benefits to be derived from discovering and harnessing an individual’s or a group’s creative potential, whether that group is your family, your club members, colleagues or schoolmates.
In the realm of education, which is particularly near and dear to my heart, creativity as a learned skill helps students by giving them improved self confidence, self-esteem, and optimism about their futures. It also helps them to develop their social skills.
All of this is personally very gratifying to me. Nothing hits closer to the core of who I am as a creativity practitioner, than to help individuals realize and embrace the power of their creativity and to discover its benefits.
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I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to “help people” with my professional skills across the wider Caribbean, including Barbados, Trinidad, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Haiti, and as far away as Singapore.
My professional presentations have included:
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TEDx St. Thomas
In October of 2017, I gave a TEDx presentation on Riding the wave of change, through deliberate creative thinking.
I focused on the latent potential of the USVI to create, incubate and develop innovative ideas, through developing a culture of deliberate creative thinking and how this could move the Territory from struggling victim to a leader on the world stage.
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Creativity Experts Exchange (CEE)
In my presentation at the 2017 Creativity Experts Exchange, "Connecting Creativity to Marine Science: Leading our Scientists into Integrating Creative Problem Solving into their Research" I called for more use of creative problem solving techniques in research design and analysis.
I described my vision to continue to expose students and researchers alike to Creative Thinking and Creative Problem Solving and to help them to embrace creativity as an essential component of how they conduct their business.
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Brunel University London
I was the first presenter in the new Knowledge to Action (KtA) series at Brunel University (London) in September 2021.
These KA Sessions aim to bring Brunel’s University's research Staff together with leading minds across science, policy, business and civil society – and together accelerate solutions that enable everyone, everywhere, to live healthy lives on a healthy planet.
The topic of my presentation was: The potential rule of deliberate creativity in partnership building, research design and implementation.
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Johns Hopkins University
I co-presented with Dr. Stephanie Wear, Senior Scientist & Strategy Advisor with The Nature Conservancy, to Johns Hopkins Ocean Stewardship and Sustainability graduate class in December, 2020. My presentation focused on the importance of creativity in sustainable Marine Protected Area management.
WHAT OTHERS HAVE SAID ABOUT NICK
The process of working with Nick to slow down and creatively think about who I am and what are my God-given giftings was truly beneficial to me. Taking the time to figure me out has led me down a professional and personal path I was too busy and distracted to consider. It has not only afforded me the opportunity and time to dream but has unlocked a whole new realm of opportunities that are bringing me fulfillment (both personally and professionally). Thank you for the opportunity to work with you Nick.
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CeeCee O'Neal
Coachee
Atlanta Ga.
March 2020 will forever be etched in our memories for all the life experiences the pandemic has given us. As a leader it was a challenging task trying to keep my company aloft while engaging and motivating my team during the onset of the pandemic. Mr. Nicolas Drayton was able to help us make the transition into thinking more deeply about creative problem solving, he challenged us to develop new ways of leading our people and offered practical tools, techniques, and suggestions to achieve them.
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Wilbert Mason CHA MBA
Managing Director
Ocean Clubs Resorts
Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
The collaboration with Mr. Nicolas Drayton was quite worthwhile. His visit to the school was to facilitate a lesson in “Unleashing their Creative Potential” through a “Story Box Creative Writing Session. It was phenomenal to see normally shy students eagerly participating in Nick’s session. […..] They wanted to perfect their writing after his presentation. [….] I would encourage other teachers to utilize such sessions [with Nick].
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Corey Straker
Teacher
Half Moon Fort Primary School
Barbados
You can also find out more about me at my LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolas-drayton-24221b76/