Be able to use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas and responses

Be able to use a range of creative thinking techniques to generate ideas and responses

2.1		Clarify information using questions asked from different perspectives
2.2		Analyse a variety of information sources Global warming statistics...what do they tell us
2.3		Interpret the central questions, issues and challenges from given information
2.4		Critically compare pre-conceptions and assumptions to determine actual constraints in defining a problem for resolution
2.5		Review and revise barriers to creative thinking from individuals and organisations Watch the video from Ken Robinson Schools kill creativity and make notes about the barriers talked about that stifle creativity and creative thinking Barrier 1: We Are Not In A Creative Sector You may not be an organisation that is in the creative sector but that does not mean that you should not be looking at different ways of doing things. Barrier 2: I Don’t Have Time As a leader there are two very distinct but interrelated roles to consider: taking care of the present and building long term sustained success in the future. It is easy to fill your schedule with the here and now and fool yourself into believing you have no time. Barrier 3: Being Passive By that I mean waiting for someone else to come up with the answer and then trying to lift it and shoe horn it into your organisation. Barrier 4: Over Control Much is said and written about employee engagement. The fact is employees will only engage if they feel that if they come up with an idea it will be given appropriate consideration. If you want to control everything you will never get creativity. Barrier 5: No Incentive Take a look at the reward structures in your organisation. Do they reward people who come up with good solutions or do they just treat people as if they are all the same? Barrier 6: Fear of Failure Every organisation needs to take some degree of risk. Those risks might result in successes sometimes and failure at other times. If you fear failure, your organisation, team or function will always be sub-optimal in terms of results. We often learn more when we fail than when we succeed. Barrier 7: Complacency The minute you think you have it cracked you are in dangerous waters. Just look at organisations that were around in the past who are not any longer. Don’t ever think that you have it all cracked. Barriers to creative thinking Blocks and Limiting Beliefs Switch To Positive Attitude Negative Attitude  Positive Attitude Do you have the tendency to focus on the negative aspects of new ideas when creating a display, like too expensive – too difficult – I don't have the knowledge/ skills / time / space – we can't do it because….. Are you seeing all the ‘why-nots’ instead of the ‘let’s-do-it-even- though” Instead of seeing the obstacles and barriers switch your focus: How can  I / we make this work or what would we need? Can I stretch finances by begging and buying 2nd hand? Who has the required skills, or can I learn those skills? How can I generate time?  What  space would be perfect? Fear of Failure Be Prepared to Learn You might have a fear of looking foolish or being laughed at when creating an elaborate or unusual display. Most people think that others will judge them negatively when trying something unfamiliar but most people love to see creative ideas coming to life. Maybe it is your own insecurity that holds you back? Or lack of support? Have you talked about your plans with colleagues or supervisor? We never laugh at a child's first attempt to talk, walk, and draw. We encourage them. Lots of adults have lost confidence in trying out new skills. They fear negative judgement from themselves or others. Be courageous – ignore that voice in your head saying you might fail to do a perfect job. If you’re disappointed with your first attempt, learn from it and DON’T STOP. Trying again and again is the only way to learn what works and what doesn’t. Executive Stress Make Time for Creativity You might not have the time to think creatively. The over-stressed person finds it difficult to think objectively at all. Stress reduces the quality of all mental processes. It limits creative thinking because that requires inspiration and exploration. Thinking outside the box requires a relaxed state of mind. Managing day-to-day operations is important, but it shouldn’t prevent new ideas and a fresh approach. Don’t think of new displays or ideas when in the middle of managing accounts. But before you go to sleep is perfect. Guide your thinking; let your mind drift off. That space between being awake and asleep is a fantastic source of ideas…. Allow your mind to welcome images that pop up. Following Rules Circumvent Status Quo You might not be aware that it hampers the creativity when you have a tendency to conform to accepted patterns of belief or thought – the rules and limitations of the status quo. You restrict yourself with staying on the safe side. You prevent yourself from being open to suggestions and ideas that are new or not associated with your field of work. Some rules are necessary. We don’t want to offend or harm others with displaying ideas or concepts that are offensive. But we often create our own imaginary rules when it comes to making displays. We assume we know what others would accept or not without much evidence. Imagine 5 different people, a medical student, art teacher, chaplain, fashionista and jazz singer and envisage how they would react to your display. Making Assumptions Be Open Minded Conscious and unconscious assumptions restrict creative thinking. Are you sure that a specific subject is not done?  Is it the topic that is taboo? Religious reasons? Is it a touchy subject or is it because you feel uncomfortable tackling the issue, not knowing how to make a display about it? Identify and examine the assumptions you are making to ensure they are not excluding new ideas. Talk with a variety of people, old, young, conservative and progressive and figure out what it is that might make the topic unfavourable for a display (excluding obvious reasons). But don't be afraid to stand out. Trust your own capability and intelligence. Over-reliance on Logic Let Go of Old Concepts Investing all your intellect into logical or analytical thinking – the step-by-step approach – excludes imagination, intuition, emotion or humour. Use your emotions to create a display, if it makes you smile it makes others smile. If it makes you happy it makes others happy and if it makes you think about the theme of your display it draws people in and they will stop and contemplate the philosophy or opinion that you (indirectly) portray. Creativity is not the product of logical thought. It is the act of turning new and imaginative ideas into reality. Creativity is looking with fresh eyes at old ways of doing and improving them. But even if your intellect works in a logical and analytical way, you still can create fantastic displays. Just let go of the assumption that it needs to be functional or logical. Allow yourself to ‘fool around’ with materials and concepts. Be wild!! You might be surprised what you come up with.
2.6		Analyse realities beyond the current situation and take risks with ideas and thought processes
2.7		Investigate familiar sources of information for new inspiration
2.8		Record observations, experiences, ideas and reflective thoughts to broaden personal knowledge base
2.9		Demonstrate an acceptance of the opportunity for revelation when least expected
2.10		Identify connections and associations from things that seem unconnected
2.11		Identify, interrogate and challenge assumptions behind existing ideas
2.12		Critically compare a range of different solutions and ideas
2.13		Evaluate ideas and situations in new ways to change perspective
2.14		Review and revise ideas with others to identify how they might be changed or improved
2.15		Review and revise own thought patterns and ways of responding to work and life situations