Welcome to 1997. Tony Blair has won a landslide general election. The Spice Girls have released the best-selling album by a female group in history. Actors, artists and models from the UK are famous around the world. No wonder newspapers have started using the phrase "Cool Britannia".

One rock band evoked "Cool Britannia" more than any other. This was Oasis, led by two charismatic brothers from Manchester named Liam and Noel Gallagher. The band was famous for their indie music, wild lifestyles and frequent disputes between the brothers.

For example, Noel briefly quit the band after Liam threw a tambourine at him. Later, Noel hit Liam on the head with a cricket bat. One of their tours was cancelled after a fist fight between the two brothers.

In 1999, two of the original band members left, exhausted with all the arguments. But Oasis kept going until 2009, when Noel Gallagher finally departed. Now the original members are getting back together for a reunion. Tickets go on sale tomorrow.¹

For some fans, Oasis was doomed because Liam and Noel could not find a way of working together. But others think that the fractiousIrritable or unruly. relationship between the two brothers was what made their music special.

Musical history has many examples of battling band members. The Beatles, the most influential band of all time, centred on the love-hate relationship between the songwriters John Lennon and Paul McCartney. According to rock critic Greg Kot, "their 'partnership' was more of a competition than a collaboration".²

In sports, competition often brings out the best in players. The same might be true for team activities like making music, acting in films, or even starting a business. As the American entrepreneur Scott Belsky argues, "creativity is nourished by competition".³

But others argue that a sense of community is more important for creativity. People will only be able to create their best work if they feel safe and supported. What is more, "simply feeling like you're part of a team" makes people more motivated and productive.⁴

Most companies and businesses value diverse teams. A range of views makes it easier to come up with new ideas and solutions. If everyone thinks the same way, the group will be less innovative.⁵

Modern science suggests that creativity requires a mix of divergent and convergent thinking. In divergent thinking, you move away from the norm with original ideas. In convergent thinking, you evaluate all the options and find the best solution.⁶

Perhaps conflict and collaboration play a similar role to divergent and convergent thinking. In which case, the best bands will have a healthy mix of both.

Many people associate rock-and-roll with drink, drugs and public spatsA slang word for small arguments.. But it is hard to perform music, let alone write new pieces, if the band members refuse to speak to each other. On their social media feeds, Oasis reported that "The guns have fallen silent."⁷ So the band could only reunite because the brothers are friends again.

Does creativity need conflict?

Yes: Many of the most famous bands in history have had rivalries between the main musicians. This competition helped them to create great music together.

No: In order to create, people need to feel safe and supported. If band members are always at war with each other, it is impossible to write new music.

Or... Scientists believe that both convergent and divergent thinking are important for creativity. The best bands will have a balance of competition and collaboration.

FOR YOUR SUMMER READING CHALLENGE CLUE GO TO STEP SIX IN THE SIX STEPS TO DISCOVERY BELOW.