Creative Thinking in Action Dr Bronwen Dalton

Agenda: 1. Start with Why? What is it? creative thinking model & application Speed Thinking and Ideas Blitz  Reflections, Q&A’s  

Exercise – discuss with a partner: When and where are you at your most creative? What are you doing when your best ideas emerge?

According to an IBM study (2010) among 1500 CEO’s around the world: ‘Creativity is the most important leadership quality for success in business.’

Why creativity is vital: Drives innovation & growth Consumers & clients expect it Stand out from the crowd Retailers want it Enables Brands to compete with generics Difficult to copy Attracts & engages employees Great fun!

What is it? “Creativity is the process of bringing something new into being”.   - Rollo May, The Courage to Create   “A product is creative when it is (a) novel and (b) appropriate.”
—Sternberg & Lubart, Defying the Crowd

The 4 P’s Model of Creativity* People Process Product Press Leadership * Mel Rhodes, 1961, Hudson 2001

Some starting points: Creative thinking is a skill we all possess. It can be learned and improved with practice, the right tools and the right encouragement (at any age). Applied to any activity. It is about ideas rather than artistic abilities. Can be used by individuals and groups. 

Graham Wallas – 4 stage model of Creativity* Preparation Incubation Illumination Verification *The Art of Thought, 1926

Quick exercise: e.g. How many uses can you think of for a ………………..?

+ Divergent and Convergent Thinking: Divergent Thinking Convergent

My creative thinking model: Current Situation: Same Lens (L1) Same Problem Definition (P1) Same Results Breakthrough: Different Lens (L2) Different Problem Definition (P2) Different Results

The Power of 3 Tool: Radical Usual Different

Arthur Koestler – Bisociation Thinking (1964): Car Washing What happens here? Cafe ?

4. Speed Thinking & Ideas Blitz

The magic starting formula: Ideas Minutes

The Blitz 5 step process*: Start Action Enhance Evaluate Connect * Can run one or all the steps depending on the challenge.

The Blitz Worksheet Challenge:

Ideas Blitz – A Quick Summary: A creativity & productivity tool you can use everyday Used by individuals or groups (up to 6 people) Flexible 5 - step process 2 to 20 minutes Can be used by anyone, at any time, for any purpose Face-to-face or Mobile App or any combination

Some real Ideas Blitz examples: What are some communication ideas to help middle age men visit their doctor more regularly? (advertising agency) What are the risks associated with recruiting talent via social media? (international hotel) How can we better celebrate success? (healthcare company) How can we encourage better communication between our silo’s? (pharmaceutical company). What would be a short, sharp tag-line for our self-service promotions poster? (logistics company)

Reflections & Q&A’s

Last thoughts: Creative thinking is a set of skills, tools, behaviours and processes. These can be learned. The more you practice the better you and your team will become. It will become one of the key strengths in your career and life.