creativity for agile teams
DESCRIPTION
Creativity can manifest in several ways including creation of something new, refinement of something that exists and problem solving. How do we support, enable and enhance the creative abilities of Agile teams?There are many ways to shape the work environment for greater creativity. We will describe how creativity happens and can be enhanced by providing a safe, nurturing environment, enhancing group interactions, pacing activities that utilize different sensory modes and trusting in the power of subconscious integrationTRANSCRIPT
Creativity for Agile Teams
Roger BrownMark Levison
Agile 2011
Why should
you care?
Creativity can be nurtured
Teams can
achieve a
state of
Group
Flow
Knowing how
it works
makes it
easier to
achieve
Your team
can be more
creative
Creativity increases productivity
Group Flow
Individual Creativity
How to Nurture it
Creativity and Your
Brain
What is Creativity?
What is Creativity?
Would you like to be more creative?
What is holding you back?
Creative people work alone, right?
Percent of People
Creative?Not Creative?
High Pressure Helps?
2x
+ 3
y =
zA
nd th
en it h
appen
ed…
What defines a creative idea?
You tell us…
Creativity is a series of many small insights
Have you ever tried
really hard to be creative?
Can creativity be learned?
innovatebrainstorm think!
Mozart coffeeAha!
Using a single stroke, turn the Roman numeral seven, shown below, into an eight.
VIIIf you get stuck, ask a partner for help
I
Exercise
Using a single stroke, turn the Roman numeral 9, shown below, into a 6.
IXIf you get stuck, ask a partner for help
S
Exercise
Using a single stroke, turn the Roman numeral nine, shown below, into a six.
IXIf you get stuck, ask a partner for help
6
Exercise
Creativity and Your
Brain
Fact or Myth?
We use only 10% of our brain.
Logical? Creative?
We use our whole brain, all the time
Shorter branches, fewer dendritic spines, more precise
Longer branches, more dendritic spines, less precise
Brain Basics
Most “Thinking” is Subconscious
Test Drive
Brain Capacity and Speed
WorkingMemo
ry
Long Term Memory
slow real fast
Brain Circuits
Existing Neural Map
1
Existing Neural Map
2
New
Info
Impasse
New Neural Map
What does creativity look like?
© 2006 David Rock
Brain Waves
awareness reflection insight action
Exercise – 10 minFacilitating Insight
• Choose a partner• Think of a challenge you have at work and write it down in 5 words or less• Read the challenge to your partner. Look for a
feeling of impasse.• Partner asks questions that facilitate reflection and watches facial expressions.• key words: quiet, deep, close, hunch
• Switch roles after 4 minutes.• Class debrief.
Exercise – 10 min
Individual Creativity
Impediments to Creativity
You tell us…
Our Top 5 Impediments to
Creativity
Too much detail in goal Too open-ended a target Command and control Noisy, stressed mind Yes, but…
High Pressure Helps?
EmotionalSafety
Intrinsic Motivation
• autonomy• mastery• purpose• and a sense of progress
What About Stress?
Arousal
Perf
orm
an
ce
How to Nurture It
Prepare
Simple Factors
Be creative!
Be visual
Be physical
Check Assumptions
Make it safe to fail
Play
Quiet Mind
Exercise
Group Flow
Can a team be creative?
Famous Collaborations
J.R.R.Tolkien and the Inklings Jobs and Wozniak Lennon and McCartney … and Harrison and Starr
Not-so-famous Collaborations
Morse – Jackson – Gale – Vale Darwin – Lyell – Malthus – Wallace
Flow
P
Ch
allen
ge
Skill and Confidence
Panic
Anxiety
Boredom
Flow Channel
ChallengingGroup Goal
nasa hq photo
Appropriate Brainstorming
Expand Your Universe
o Engage outsiderso Examine failureso Remove predictability
Deep Listening
Blending Egos
Equal Participation
Familiarity and Continuity
Perf
orm
an
ce
FormingStorming
Norming
Performing
Time
Many Perspectives Innovation Games ™ Six Hats Agile Games / Tasty Cupcakes Scamper Thinker Toys
Your turn
• 3 min: Working in pairs, brainstorm 3 ways that you can help your team to become more
creative.
• 3 min: As a group, filter the top 3 most interesting ideas generated at your table.
• 3 min: Debrief
Exercise
Why should
you care?
Creativity can be nurtured
Teams can
achieve a
state of
Group
Flow
Knowing how
it works
makes it
easier to
achieve
Your team
can be more
creative
Creativity increases productivity
Emmy Awards2000: Outstanding Writing - Comedy Series - won2001: Outstanding Writing - Comedy Series - won
Writers Guild of America2001: Best Writing - Episodic Comedy - nominated2001: Best Writing - Episodic Comedy - nominated2003: Best Writing - Episodic Comedy - nominated2003: Best Writing - Episodic Comedy - nominated2004: Best Writing - Episodic Comedy - won2005: Best Writing - Episodic Comedy - nominated2006: Best Writing - Episodic Comedy - nominated
The End
Roger Brown , Moonrise [email protected], @rwbrown
Mark Levison, Agile Pain Relief [email protected], @mlevison