Edward de Bono said, “There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.”
For individuals and organizations to succeed – Creative Thinking plays a vital role.
While some people may naturally be more creative than others, creativity can be built and developed. I am going to cover a few building blocks that anyone can use to improve their creativity. First though let’s define what Creative Thinking really is.
Creative Thinking: Looking at problems or situations from a fresh perspective that suggests unorthodox solutions.
Creative thinking should not be confused with Critical Thinking. You cannot successfully do both at the same time. While they are both often needed, they should be done separately. What is the difference between the two?
Creative Thinking is – Generative; Divergent; Lateral; Possible.
Critical Thinking is – Analytic; Convergent; Vertical; Probable.
Use these five approaches to improve your creativity:
Separate Idea Generation from Evaluation
When you generate ideas, separate the generation of ideas from the evaluation of ideas. This is the most important creative thinking principle. The reason is simple: idea generation is divergent–you want as many ideas as possible. Idea evaluation is convergent–you want to narrow down the pool of ideas and select the best ones. Save the “Yeah butts” and critical thinking for later, after you have generated all the ideas you can.
Challenge Assumptions
Challenging assumptions is probably the second most important creative thinking principle, because it is the basis for all creative perceptions. In other words, you see only what you think you see. Challenging assumptions can help you shift perspectives and view situations in a new light. The result often is a breakthrough idea or unique problem solution. To challenge assumptions, use questioning techniques like: Asking why 5 times; Examine assumptions for flaws – dare them not to be true; and contemplate what happens when you “Break rules”.
Break and Make Connections
This is where most of the work of creativity gets done. Take a “systems level” perspective, look at the entire process from end to end cross departmental boundaries and functions as needed. The instant you break a powerful connection, new and perhaps useful connections can be made. Intuition may persuade you to leave the old connection permanently broken. Sometimes you may find yourself uncomfortably between connections. Try to get used to the confusion. Resist the urge to resolve it. Confusion and anxiety are integral to creativity.
Fail Fast
It’s been said that what makes a great bronco cowboy isn’t how long they stay on a horse, but how quickly he can get back on a horse, after he has been knocked off. Fear of making a mistake can reduce creativity. We learn from mistakes. We must accept failure and allow this to occur with our organizations. The secret is to minimize the effects of failure by “Failing Fast”. As Edward de Bono said, “It is better to have enough ideas for some of them to be wrong, than to be always right by having no ideas at all.”
Avoid Groupthink
Groupthink is the lack of dissension in group decision making. Groupthink often results in groups’ reaching consensus too quickly and making poor decisions because key assumptions are not sufficiently challenged by group members. Groupthink can kill creativity and must be avoid during the creative process.
About The Author: Byron Headrick
As a Certified Six Sigma ‘Black Belt”, Byron has over 15 years experience as a successful LEAN implementer – a methodology that provides businesses with tools to improve the capability of their business processes. After implementing this philosophy successfully in other large companies, Byron formed his company, LEAN Frog, in 2009 in order to share his knowledge, expertise and unique practical approach with small businesses across North Alabama. Byron has experience successfully implementing LEAN tools in all types of businesses including: medical practices, accounting firms, retail shops, restaurants, mortgage brokers, insurance agencies, commercial printing, and manufacturing companies
(Source: http://leanmachineradio.com/2011/04/five-ways-to-improve-your-creative-thinking/)
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