You can create and innovate. With knowledge of different methods and techniques and a creative climate, you can become more successful at both …

1. The Creative Gorilla # 1
You can create and innovate. With knowledge of different methods and techniques and a creative
climate, you can become more successful at both …
Even Gorillas can create…
“I'm not at all creative, so I want to see how others do it.” Open University Student
style of problem solving, not whether you are
more or less creative. [See
http://www.kaicentre.com/ for information]
What would you say to that student?
Now, I say something like: 'You can all create
and innovate. With knowledge of the different
methods and techniques and a climate conducive
to clear thinking, you can become more skilled at
“Upside down thinking”
both'
Can you be creative? Read on… Many people say they are not creative. Some
The quotation above was the response from feel it is 'arty farty', tree hugging, warm and fuzzy
an MBA student (an experienced manager) when stuff and they aren't like that. Others see
I asked for his learning objectives at an Open creativity and innovation as the generation of
University, Creativity & Innovation course. ideas. But this is just one step in the process.
Now I believe even gorillas can be creative, Professor Min Basadur of McMasters
though I can't prove it because I've never found University Canada (a creative guru not gorilla)
one that spoke English. (This thought makes me writes that there are eight steps involved in what
wonder what it would be like to facilitate a group he calls the Simplex cycle of innovation (a cycle
of gorillas. Would they have 'Yes, we have no because it never ends):
bananas' for their ring tone that interrupts the • Find problems and Establish the facts
workshop?). So I asked the student what led him • Define the problem and Generate
to believe he was not? solutions
'Because I am 64 on the Kirton scale and that • Evaluate / develop solutions and Plan
means I am not creative' action
'Whoa, that's some limiting belief you've got • Sell the solution and Implement it
their' is a thought that crossed my mind but I Generating ideas (or solutions) is just one step,
empathised and explained that the 'Kirton but great ideas don't get to market unless there
Adaptation Innovation' inventory reflects are people who can evaluate them, develop
whether you have a more adaptive or innovative them and put them into action.
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2. The Creative Gorilla # 1
Basadur's research shows that most people have To Close
an orientation (a preference) for certain steps I’m pleased to say that my student left the
although some people have a balanced residential school with a different perspective,
orientation. some tools and techniques and a bunch of
The key point he makes is that we can all metaphorical bananas (which is food for
become more practised at each of the steps or thought).
we can work with people who are more oriented [With thanks to the following for their support
towards different steps than us, if we want to to establish The Gorilla]:
improve our success at C & I.
• Kimberley Hare
So • Steve Davis
Do you think you are not creative? Or do you • Michael Neill
think people on your team are not? You and they Have a gorreat week…
are.
You and they can all contribute to the creative I
John Brooker Loving Creativity in Business
and innovate process and if done in a structured
and ongoing way (not just a once a year Yes! And...
“brainstorming” session) it can produce tangible Is a creative facilitation company.
business results. We work internationally with leaders in
I hear you say, because people I work with say medium to large organisations who must
it, “innovation won’t happen with our tackle an important challenge, opportunity or
management team” (you have visions of you as project, creatively. We facilitate their people
the mad Creative Gorilla escorted from the to:
premises by Security Gorillas). • Explore situations, create ideas and plan
action in outstanding meetings
If your company culture is a bit staid, you may
• Develop skills to think flexibly,
have to become a creative guerrilla (thanks to communicate powerfully and act with
agility
John Martin of the OU for the metaphor),
• Innovate in a structured and creative way
introducing tools and techniques with stealth.
Imagine what we can do for your team…
But don't let that stop you in your part of the
organisation, be brave! More on that in later Contact John or Kate Brooker:
editions.
Speak: 020 8869 9990
Action Write: hi@yesand.co.uk
As an action, you might like to discover your View: www.yesand.biz
own preference for creative problem solving by
taking the CPS profile online at
www.basadur.com. There is a small charge of
$10 for this service.
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