unleash the power of the the role of creativity in strategic thinking
TRANSCRIPT
UNLEASH the POWER of the
The Role of Creativity in Strategic Thinking
Agenda
1. Think Strategically2. Right Brain/Left Brain3. Innovation and Creativity4. Primary Principles of Innovation5. Creativity Generator6. It’s All About Possibility7. Wrap Up and Questions
Strategy
Determination of the basic long-term goals and objectives of an enterprise, and the adoption of courses of action and the allocation of resources necessary for carrying out these goals
Strategic thinking and creativity are requirements of doing this activity well
Strategic Thinking
Answers four key questions:
Where are we now?
Where do we want to be?
How do we get there?
How will we know?
Reorganizing Klee’s Colour Table
There are many ways to see the same thing
Right Brain or Left Brain?
Are you predominantly right brain or left brain?
Do you see the image rotating clockwise or counter clockwise?
If it spins clockwise, you supposedly use more of your right brain
If it spins counter clockwise, you’re more of a left brain person
LEFT BRAIN FUNCTIONSUses logicDetail orientedFacts ruleWords and languagePresent and pastMath and scienceCan comprehendKnowingAcknowledgesOrder/pattern perceptionKnows object nameReality basedForms strategiesPracticalSafe
RIGHT BRAIN FUNCTIONSUses feeling“Big picture" orientedImagination rulesSymbols and imagesPresent and futurePhilosophy and religionCan "get it" (i.e. meaning)BelievesAppreciatesSpatial perceptionKnows object functionFantasy basedPresents possibilitiesImpetuousRisk taking
We need both types of people in a planning process
Those who can see the forest (big picture) and those who can see the trees (details)
Think Strategically
You can use innovation to meet the gap between increased or new community needs and a lack of financial resources
Innovation Creativity
Innovation = the development of new ideas or methods, that when implemented, create value
Creativity = the ability to transcend traditional ideas. Creativity is the starting point for innovation and is applied throughout the innovation process
Primary Principles of Innovation
Everything is connected to everything
New thoughts, new action, new results
Everyone is creative and innovative
Everything is Connected to Everything
Everything in the universe affects everything else because they are part of the same unbroken whole
We live based on an explicit order – based on our thoughts and perceptions (filters)
Need to move to an implicate order – start with the fact that you don’t know the answer and that you are only able to see a piece of a fuller range of possibility
What’s the bigger picture?
Small Group Discussion
Everything is connected to everything
What are the implications of this principle for our planning process?
New Thoughts, New Actions, New Results
Thought is the starting point of every new creation. Thought creates
If our thinking doesn’t change neither will the results
The range of our present possibilities does not extend far beyond the range of our present thoughts
Thinking determines actions. Actions determine results
Nine Dot Puzzle
Directions: Connect the 9 dots using four straight lines without lifting the pencil from the paper
Ah, the phenomenon of the mind...we see a box with dots in four corners even when it doesn’t exist
Small Group Discussion
New thoughts, new actions, new results
What are the implications of this principle for our planning process?
Everyone is Creative and Innovative
Creativity and innovation are not rare Creativity and innovation can be studied Can be developed by anyone Less than 5% of people over 45 years are creative. At
age 5 it was 90%. What is the conclusion?
Small Group Discussion
Everyone is creative and innovative
What are the implications of this principle for our planning process?
Creativity
What is the difference between the right answer and the best answer?
Don’t stop generating ideas with the first one that you think is “right”. The first “right” answer is not necessarily the best answer
What is half of 8?
Creativity Generator
Scan: need to define the right question Focus: need to use the right criteria Act: build, test, draft, learn
Always start with an individual generated list and then work as a group to scan and focus
Do not use phrases that shut down the discussion
Scanning Guidelines
Quantity not quality counts Don’t be logical or evaluate Scanning is not about being right Create a free association of ideas Welcome radical ideas
Focusing Guidelines
First, select the right criteria Quality counts – use best judgement Listen carefully Value differences Let your thoughts be known Do not focus while scanning!
Activity
Scan: Write down all the uses you can think of for my belt
Focus Criteria: Most unique idea Do a personal scan and focus (top 3 choices) and
then a group scan and focus (top 3 choices)
Questions to Stimulate Creativity
What would you do if there was no money or time limitations?
How can we improve this work AND make it more fun?
What is the great “gift” in this problem? How else might we define the problem we are
discussing? How else might we solve this problem?
It’s All About Possibility
The Art of Possibility - YouTube
Discussion Question
How can innovation and creativity be used in your planning process?
Reflection
What learnings and reflections do I have from this session?
What are some potential actions for my Regional Network?
Wrap Up and Questions
References GoInnovate! (2003). Making Innovation Happen
Seminar and Workbook. Winer, Michael and Karen Ray. (1994). Collaboration
Handbook: Creating, Sustaining and Enjoying the Journey. Minnesota: Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.
Zander, Rosamunde Stone and Benjamin Zander. (2000). The Art of Possibility. New York: Penguin Books.