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Here at Creative Realities, we use an 11-step process of creative problem-solving to help our clients generate, develop, and troubleshoot ideas to help them overcome an obstacle, realize an opportunity, or to simply stretch their thinking beyond its current state. In only working here a few shorts months, I've seen this process produce some amazing results for people and it makes me wonder why everyone isn't using this method to better their professional and/or personal lives?
Topics: creativity, Amanda Hines, convergent thinking, divergent thinking, creative problem solving, brainstorming
Topics: Mark Sebell, Bat and Bow, Corporate Rain Dance, Leadership-Empowerment Fable
Topics: David Culton, convergent thinking, Innovation, growth, implementation, execution
Last night on Monday Night Football, the much-hyped Jets got thumped by the Ravens. This came after an offseason in which the team acquired several marquee players, were in the news for all the wrong reasons, allowed HBO's Hard Knocks cameras into their training camp, and entered the season among the favorites to win the Super Bowl. Much of the attention surrounding the Jets stemmed from the swagger and confidence they exuded as they publicly announced their goal was to win the Super Bowl. What can their Monday night let down teach us about innovation? I am going to indulge in a little Tuesday Morning Quarterbacking and explore 5 lessons the Jets experience can teach us about setting a strategic roadmap for an innovation team.
Topics: Innovation Roadmap, Chris Dolan, Strategic Goals
Topics: Jay Terwilliger, Innovation, leadership, strategic innovation, strategy, growth, implementation
In these trying times, consumers these days are looking for creative ways to stretch their dollar; to prioritize their spending – needs vs. wants – while trying to lessen the compromise of their quality of life.
Topics: Amanda Hines, DIY, creative, creative thinking, Innovation
Making mental links between things that are not normally or have not previously been recognized as the source of a new idea
A core skill of brainstorming and creative-problem solving is learning how to make connections; those "a-ha" moments when two or more seemingly unrelated, even irrelevant signals in the brain suddenly come together to create a powerful new insight, idea, or conclusion. Connections almost always require a lot of developmental work to make them real, but the core of the idea/solution is embedded in the connection.
Topics: critical ideation skills, creative problem solving skills, connection making
Topics: Jay Terwilliger, breakthrough innovation, approximate thinking, connection making, developmental thinking
Topics: convergent thinking, divergent thinking, ban the bazooka, approximate thinking
| only failing to teach creative thinking to children, but actually stamping their creativity out. Given that the American economy is built on innovation, this is deeply troubling news for the future of business. Fortunately, creative thinking is a skill that can be flexed and developed just like any other muscle. |
The idea that creative thinking is not a natural talent but rather a skill that can be taught is not a new one. Alex Osborn, known as the “Father of Modern Brainstorming,” was the “O” in the world-renowned advertising agency, BBDO in the mid-1900’s. As a businessman involved in the business of applied creativity, he sought to learn how creative thinking happened and if it could be broken down into teachable principles. To learn, he observed the behaviors and techniques of the creative staff of his agency.
In 1948, he published Your Creative Power, presenting the technique of brainstorming. In the 1950’s, along with Sidney Parnes, he developed the Osborn-Parnes Creative Problem Solving Process (CPS) and cofounded the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI), the world's longest running international creativity conference.
His work, along with many others since, has dispelled the Myth of Creativity. While it is true that many people have a natural talent for creative thinking, the skills and techniques that they use naturally are teachable. Anyone can become more creative in their thinking and Creative Realities is here to help.
Over the next 10 weeks, The Innovationists will share skills, techniques, and tools that will help you develop your ability to think creatively "on-demand."
Topics: creativity, myth of creativity, creative thinking, brainstorming, creative thinking skills
