| Responses | Date | Author |
Hi Malc,
Thank you for asking this question – this is one of my favourite training topics and something I specialised in early in my training career. You touch on a very important element of creativity – incubation – the fact that the brain sub-consciously works on a question ‘after the event’ resulting in that ‘eureka’ moment days, weeks of, often longer after the initial discussion.
The good news is that it is possible to be creative at short notice, but it’s important to have a framework/creative process to work through. When we talk about creativity in business, what we usually mean in reality is innovation. A great formula to remember is creativity+implementation=innovation. Having the initial ideas is actually the easy part – the hard work comes with developing them and keeping the momentum behind them. And, in this, speed can actually help – it’s easier to keep momentum going in those initial bursts of enthusiasm. (Trainers’ Library was launched in 2003 just 6 weeks after the idea was discussed.)
Creative Problem Solving Process (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=39) is a module that will explain a useful process to follow when trying to build creativity at work. And it shows how effect use of idea generation techniques can help bypass that natural period of incubation gather ideas more quickly. (However, a top tip would be to take a break in the middle your idea generation (lunch is ideal) and you’ll be amazed how many new ideas are generated, or how ideas develop in people’s minds even with that short period of relaxed ‘incubation’.)
Two of my favourite idea generation techniques and the ones that, in my experience, generated the most unusual ideas are Reframe (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=45) and Forced Connections (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=368). For product development, Idea Box (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=42) is also fantastic. Reversal (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=47) is a lot of fun and a more gentle introduction to Idea Generation.
Another top tip. A ‘natural’ reaction is to focus on the small ideas, the ones people can easily grasp and to immediately reject the ‘wacky’ ones. I always advised learners against this – to be really creative you need to pick up on the wacky ideas and in particular those that generate an emotional reaction – laughter or a spark of ‘wouldn’t that be amazing if only it were possible!’ We actually have a new module coming soon that Frances has been developing that builds on this, called ‘Making the Impossible Possible’ – look out for that.
Under Course Modules/Creative Thinking, you’ll find other useful tools too – for example, Fishbone Chart, Getting to the Root and Magnifying the Problem are useful for exploring and really understanding the challenge, or breaking big challenges down into smaller ones, which can help the creative process.
Finally, it’s really, really important to have a process that allows you to evaluate and explore ideas objectively and positively. For this, I recommend ‘Evaluating Ideas’. (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/materials/training_doc_details.aspx?doc=1)
I hope this helps. If we can be of further help, just drop us a message through Design Coach. (https://www.trainerslibrary.com/mentor/default.aspx) |
| 28/05/2019 | Rod |