1. Creativity in the Workplace
Winter 2013
Tyler Massie
Midterm Business
Simulator
2. 1.
To be frank, I have never before enjoyed or derived value from playing Monopoly.
This value system was challenged by my experience with the Business Simulator.
The first time that we used this simulator, I had only
started developing learning systems for a couple of
the Principles of Creativity. I was very timid in my
actions, and I wasn’t very familiar with the rules. I
also did not fully comprehend all of the variables that
are at play within the Monopoly environment. In
terms of risk and return, I gained only moderated
growth to my assets, if any growth was achieved at
all. However, I realized no great success with this
approach, and did not recognize more than adequate
personal development.
To prepare for this specific challenge, I researched Monopoly strategies, which I captured in
Evernote and in a Mind Map. I then linked these strategies in the map to one that I had
generated which linked the Creative Principles. I planned to take substantial risk throughout
the challenge. I knew that luck played a specific factor in the simulator. I knew that I should buy
all orange properties. And I knew that it is wise to create a housing shortage. I was prepared,
enthused, and poised to achieve success.
I rolled a 6 in our group, which meant that I could lead the game. On my first roll, I received a
chance card that allowed me to pass go (gaining access to the red die a full turn ahead of the
competitors). Nice luck. Next I landed on the first orange property and had rolled a monopoly
man as well. I was able to buy two orange properties. Great luck.
Half way through the game, I was cash heavy. I had more properties than any competitor. I had
a monopoly on one full side of the board in orange and red properties, and was chock full of
houses. Chance and strategy had worked greatly in my favor to this point.
30 minutes later when the simulator ended, I had come in second last place.
What went wrong?
I had become comfortable mid-way through the game, I wasn’t giving thought to my actions. I
wasn’t concerned with closely monitoring my Principles and Strategies. I became complacent
and arrogant in my assured success, and as such did not pay close enough attention to my
competitors. I made trades of property that gave me only marginal returns, but greatly enhanced
my competitors’ strategies and approaches, even though I had no real desire or strategic gain
from making these trades.
3. By the time I had realized the error of my ways it was already too late. I began leveraging every
strategic advantage I had previously gained just to survive in the game, including mortgaging all
of my properties, to the point of total failure by the end.
My own ego prevented me from leveraging great opportunity, luck, and skill, into success.
This experience has reinforced in me the knowledge that there are many positive influencers to
Creativity that can be utilized to great success. There are also many negative ones, but they
can be recognized, managed, and overcome. This simulator taught and reinforced Principles of
Creativity. The knowledge gained will surely contribute to my success, and would benefit any
workplace that instituted these concepts.
And finally, to my great surprise, I derived substantial value from a
game of Monopoly.
5. 3.
I. Challenges require risk taking
When faced with obstacles, you must push yourself outside of your comfort zone, to solve and
overcome, and with great risk comes great reward.
During the first simulator, I did not employ this principle. However this time, I used it to
completely inform my strategy which directly contributed to my success and failure
during the simulator and in the end.
I overleveraged myself and did not manage my risk once I felt comfortable and confident. My
competitors leveraged themselves much better by managing their risk. Therefore, this principle
needs to be managed and kept in constant thought. There are always new obstacles to
overcome so you must never be complacent. Business owners and especially Entrepreneurs
would be wise to understand the strengths and weaknesses of risk taking when overcoming
challenges. I will need to learn more about the varying degrees of risk required for different
kinds of challenges, and how to better manage risk.
II. Capture and manage all ideas
I utilized this principle with a mind map as my tool. Idea generation and capture was
primarily during preparation phase for the simulator. I brought my iPad to use as a small,
unobtrusive idea retrieval device. I monitored my strategies and principles during the first half of
the simulator, until I became complacent and comfortable. I did not generate new ideas, nor
manage and reference my existing ones. Therefore, when I was focused on this principle I was
successful, and vice versa.
The issue is that I was not even conscious of idea generation, likely because I didn’t set up a
tool in advance to capture and manage new ideas during the simulator. I did not see my
competitors utilize this principle either in preparation, or during the game. A workplace would be
wise to implement organizational infrastructure and culture that allows you to both capture AND
manage all ideas. My greatest challenge comes from idea retrieval, so I need to explore further
my own assumptions that are blocking this. Is my own nature of procrastination affecting my
approach to idea retrieval?
6. III. Mindmapping enhances creativity
I find this principle fascinating. I was first introduced to it in an early Entrepreneurship course
a few years ago. But I’ve never explored its creation or implementation. I love it as a tool for
strategy and organization. I made one for both principles and strategies in the simulator, and
employed it to success, until I just stopped using it. I didn’t see any competitors use a mind map.
Perhaps they didn’t have a proper retrieval device, as I did with my iPad. I would like to use the
mind map concept for planning to overcome any difficult obstacle or challenge. I need to learn
more about the specific aspects and functions of the map, as well as the best way to organize
and manage the ideas and connections so that it is not too cluttered. This tool should be
required for any business strategy implementation or project management.
IV. Innovations make valuable differences
It is common knowledge that Einstein has stated that the definition of insanity is repeating the
same actions and expecting different results.
Innovations challenge insanity. I used my iPad as an innovative device to capture and manage
my ideas and create and reference my mind map. I am still scared of my own inability to
recognize and create innovation. I assume I am not innovative. As a result, I can’t recognize
innovations that can be employed within the simulator. This assumption is a giant block on
my understanding and application of this principle. I see the value for myself, businesses,
and people in general. I just don’t believe that I can create innovation. Therefore, I am my own
worst enemy. What innovative behaviours or actions did I not recognize during the simulator?
V. Constraints enhance creativity
The constraint of time directly impacted this challenge. I had to take more risk. I should have
been more innovative in my strategies. I became stressed and did not think through my actions
because of my concern for time. I became less creative as I was more constrained. That is a
hardwired process in my brain. Constraints must be managed, just like ideas and risk.
When managed, great success can be achieved. Businesses can utilize this principle by
recognizing challenges create constraints, which enhances creativity. Therefore, there is a
direct benefit of experiencing challenge. What tools help you to better manage creativity?
VI. Leverage strengths and opportunities
I had all the tools prepared to employ this principle. My risk strategy, my iPad tool with my
map. I had luck on my side and was able to capitalize on opportunity. Yet I still lost the game.
This was from complacency and mostly arrogance. I got too comfortable. My competitors better
leveraged strengths and opportunities because they did so with better thought and respect.
Workplaces need to use this principle to create sustained competitive advantage. I need to learn
how to not become complacent when after I have successfully used this principle, and to
recognize that there will always be new challenges to overcome.
7. VII. Broaden yourself
I broadened myself in my approach to achieving value from this simulator, which I accomplished.
I employed different tools and strategies, and was open-minded throughout. I researched
various strategies, which I utilized until I was too comfortable mid way through the game.
After this point, I had resorted to my old habits and strategies. People and businesses must
always be open to new ideas. I underestimated my competitors because they seemed much
more open-minded throughout the whole experience. What caused me to stop employing this
principle?
VIII. Change surroundings
Partially by chance and partially by choice I sat in the same exact spot that I have been sitting in
for the month so far. But the people in my surroundings changed as a result of the randomized
formation of teams. I learned a lot from them and about them. For example, Greg definitely had
the winning strategy because through trades he built one monopoly of hotels and traded to
gain all railroads (a strategy he knew from research and preparation). I had become
complacent and traded him two of my railroads, which directly contributed to my failure. Perhaps
next time when I recognize I need to change my surroundings I should have everyone shift a
seat over. This might snap me out of my complacency and better recognize challenges in my
environment. Workplaces could achieve this by rotating offices or having off-site meetings. But
at what point do you start losing benefit and need to maintain consistency?
IX. Communities best nurture creativity
This class has definitely created a community and we have all become more creative. This has
contributed to the recognition of value derived from the simulator (and monopoly game itself!).
The randomization of, and competition amongst, opponents detracted from the feeling of
community but creativity was still achieved. It may have been best nurtured if we had to
compete with our specific group members but I’m not sure. Maybe a close-knit community can
inhibit innovative thinking? But for workplaces, a proper organizational culture will directly
impact positive financial performance of the firm.
X. Challenges are valuable opportunities
Always. How you approach challenges is the issue. How much risk should be employed? When
should you not take certain opportunities? When is a challenge not worth overcoming? The
whole simulator was a challenge, and yet it created the value, knowledge, and growth
opportunities. The overall value was net positive and in fact substantial. However, the
challenges within the simulator were varied, difficult, and resulted in many failures.
8. XI. Assumptions block creativity
I assumed I wouldn’t derive value from Monopoly. I was wrong and as such not open to the
creative benefits of the game and simulator. Halfway through, I assumed I would win because of
how I had leveraged the above ten principles. I lost the game because I assumed. I
completely disregarded the value of this principle and that created the genesis point from which
I began disregarding each and every other principle.
XII. CREATIVITY WILL IMPROVE YOUR WORKPLACE
The twelve principles of creativity so far have all been about the true and real benefits of
creativity
If each principle is learned, used, challenged and managed, creativity
WILL IMPROVE ANYTHING
9. Grading Scheme and Criteria Please review this criteria below that I will be using to grade
your midterm and final exams.
Description Grade
Excellent - Able to successfully apply most of the principles from the course to create
value and to satisfactorily explain the value, meaning and significance of these principles
to yourself personally. As well demonstrate a strong understanding of how these
principles could be of value to others with different perspectives and opposing points of
view. And finally a strong understanding of how much you still don’t understand about
these principles, how your own assumptions and actions prevent you from more
successfully applying these principles.
A
Good - Able to successfully apply most of the principles from the course to create value
and to satisfactorily explain the value, meaning and significance of these principles to
yourself personally.
B
Satisfactory – Able to satisfactorily explain the value, meaning and significance of most
of the principles from the course.
C
Minimal Pass – Able to satisfactorily explain the value of at least half of the principles
from the course.
D
Failure – No understanding of the principles of the course demonstrated
(Italics shows my additions)
F