Articles & Posts
In the Age of AI
Embrace the Constraint: Why Boundaries Drive Innovation (coming soon)
It is through Reflection that we are able to create new knowledge. Creative ideas are born when we give ourselves time to pause and think. Otherwise, we run the risk of recycling the same logic and getting the same result.
The next time you begin to think that there is never enough time, money or help consider the “Solution Path” that can move you beyond your constraints. The first step is to accurately define your problem space. The more well-defined the constraints, the more focused a creative solution that will successfully move you from your current state to your goal state.
Myth - “The Essence of Creativity is the Moment of Insight”
Reality: creativity involves focused attention resulting in incremental ideas that build over time
Response: stay focused and disciplined to capture and combine insights for new possibilities
“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping old ones.”
– John Maynard Keynes
References
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Immordino-Yang, M. H., Christodoulou, J. A., & Singh, V. (2012). Rest is not idleness: Implications of the brain's default mode for human development and education. Perspectives on Psychological Science, 7(4), 352–365.
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Sawyer, R. (2012). How to be more creative. In Explaining creativity: The science of human innovation (2nd ed., chap. 22). London: Oxford University Press.
Our state of mind sets the stage for how we think. Every day, we are asked to make critical decisions with little time and significant consequences. A sound mind leverages the strength and condition of our rationale, logic and emotions in every decision.
Internal biases can get in the way of sound decisions. We all have biases in our thinking and perception of the world. To take action, we must be certain to pause and ask ourselves why this decision is the best choice. Where is the evidence? To achieve maximum results and greatest impact, we assess our decisions based upon multiple sources - data, interviews and observations.
Myth - “Creative Ideas Emerge Mysteriously from
the Subconscious”
Reality: Insights are developed from knowledge that has been collected, tested and saved in memory
Response: Understand and master skills, techniques and knowledge while making new combinations
“The search for truth takes you where the evidence leads you, even if, at first, you don’t want to go there.”
– Bart D. Ehrman
References
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Pomeroy, R. (2014, April). 10 problems with how we think.
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Sawyer, R. (2012). How to be more creative. In Explaining creativity: The science of human innovation (2nd ed., chap. 22). London: Oxford University Press.
We can’t create a new concept by looking harder at an old one. Identifying patterns, connections, and sequences supports our ability to analyze larger amounts of information. To see something we haven’t seen before, we must engage in new experiences and acquire new knowledge.
How do we cultivate this skill? When exploring opportunities to improve or implement processes, consider how to adopt a different view. Applying analogies or metaphors allows us to see problems and challenges from a different perspective. When we move across institutions and industries, we obtain more ideas and a greater chance of making novel associations that lead to new insights.
Myth - “You can be more creative if you reject
the rules”
Reality: The key is identifying which rule to break based upon extensive practice and knowledge of your field
Response: Be committed to learning the principles so you know which rules to break
"Making mental connections is our most crucial learning tool, the essence of human intelligence; to forge links; to go beyond the given; to see patterns, relationships, context.”
– Marilyn Ferguson
References
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Dyer, J., Gregersen, H., & Christensen, C. (2011). Innovator’s DNA: Mastering the five skills of disruptive innovators. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
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Paul, A. M. (2014, March 26). The key to innovation: Making smart analogies.
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Sawyer, R. (2012). How to be more creative. In Explaining creativity: The science of human innovation (2nd ed., chap. 22). London: Oxford University Press.
Myths of Creativity & Innovation
Be Open, Be Boundless
When we openly engage in conversation, we allow ourselves the freedom to share in the unlimited potential of teaming up with others. This results in a culture of learning where we put aside our personal expectations and focus on the benefits of discovery and diversity.
However, we must be willing to assess risks, make mistakes and address them openly. Discussing our experiments, guesses and missteps is the crucible from which a learning environment is born. From this, we can maximize our improvement and adaptation to unforeseen possibilities.
Myth - “You are more creative when you are alone”
Reality: Creative people are well connected in their field where ideas can emerge through discussion
Response: Identify experts in your field and seek opportunities to learn from them
“Everything we want is on the other side of fear.”
– Jack Canfield
References
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Boss, J. (2014, September 1). Six ways to build a culture of learning.
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Dyer, J., Gregersen, H., & Christensen, C. (2011). Innovator’s DNA: Mastering the five skills of disruptive innovators. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
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Sawyer, R. (2012). How to be more creative. In Explaining creativity: The science of human innovation (2nd ed., chap. 22). London: Oxford University Press.
Are you too busy “doing” and not enough time “knowing”? We are most confident when our decisions are based upon knowledge from sources we trust. With little time to determine accuracy, we are faced with the tough task of qualifying sources. Here’s a tip: review at least 3 different sources to maintain validity and confidence in your decisions. Your direction is only as sound as your source!
Myth - “Creative Contributions are More Likely from an Outsider than an Expert”
Reality: Creative advancements rarely come from an outsider; they come from someone who has
extensive knowledge
Response: Know your field; know what the leaders
are doing
References
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Clark, R. E., & Estes, F. (2008). Turning research into results: A guide to selecting the right performance solutions. Atlanta, GA: CEP Press.
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Creswell, J. (2013). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches. (4th Ed.) Sage Publications.
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Sawyer, R. (2012). How to be more creative. In Explaining creativity: The science of human innovation (2nd ed., chap. 22). London: Oxford University Press.