21. Three principles behind all tools of DirectedCreativity Attention Escape Movement Paul Plesk
22. Creative Problem Solving… 1 Mess finding 2 Data finding 3 Problem finding 4 Idea finding 5 Solution finding 6 Acceptance finding We need both divergent and convergent thinking…
41. And finally – always be prepared for the unexpected!
Editor's Notes
Point out how much time is spent in meetings - often unproductive
Session objectives
Cyclical approach, using a range of new techniques to explore some learning about effective
First problem, using the first technique… Problem 1… When and where to use icebreakers Technique 1… Progressive charting
Five minutes at table 1 Three minutes at table 2 and table 3 Divide delegates into three groups – A, B and C – See slide for allocating tasks. When groups move on, ask them to read what has already been written, and add any new points
Feedback on icebreakers… each group to pick three IMPORTANT things from the finished charts Feedback on technique… Each group write down one situation where you WOULD use that technique and one where you would not Keep the PROBLEM (icebreakers) feedback separate from the TECHNIQUE (progressive charting) feedback. Draw out some key learning points about when, where and how to use
Problem 2… ground rules Technique 2… Idea collecting – 2 approaches Phase 1 – collecting ideas 10 mins Phase 2 – the final contract 5 mins Ground rules also known as.. Group contract/playground rules/ team contract
Divide delegates into two groups – A and B, to contrast the two techniques
Feedback from groups Give the groups three minutes to decide on the two sentences you would like to feed back from that exercise - one about the Problem, one about the Technique. Draw out some key learning points about when, where and how to use ground rules. Take some selected feedback about the technique. Identify differences between the ‘post-it’ and ‘flipchart’ approaches.
INPUT – Creative thinking How many people think they are creative? (usually only small proportion of audience) Show NASA test results… following slides 12 -1 9 build up the picture.
Longitudinal study of the same population of 1600 people, using the same test that NASA uses to recruit creative engineers. The slides gradually complete the table. Get delegates to guess the figures before revealing them.
Final line is a broader study of 200,000 people over 25.
Conclusion – we are all born creative, but we lose the ability through education/societal pressure. We can all regain this ability.
Edward de Bono identifies the concept of ‘mental valleys’ – over the years we develop streams of thinking which carve out mental valleys. To think creatively we need to break out of these valleys – maybe to leap from one to the other. Good example = think about access to primary care – we immediately have a mental picture of a GP surgery – waiting room, consulting rooms, posters on the walls, receptionists etc. e.g. think about how we might redesign primary care from the ‘mental valley’ of a supermarket, or a sports stadium, or a bank…
One approach to helping us to escape from these mental valleys has been developed by Paul Plesk – called the Directed Creativity approach. Suggests we nee Attention, Escape, and Movement to be creative.
Another technique to escape the mental valleys… The Creative Problem Solving Process Divergent and convergent thinking Divergent thinking… generating ideas, possibilities, new thinking Principles and Rules for brainstorming (for all divergent thinking)
One of the best known techniques for divergent thinking is Brainstorming. This is not brilliant at removing you from mental valleys – but it helps. The most useful aspect we can learn from this technique is the Principles and Rules – these should apply to ALL divergent thinking. We will remind you of these guidelines during the next few exercises. Defer judgement – no comments about the quality or applicability of an ideas during the divergent phase. Judgement stops creativity! Quantity breeds quality – if you want to get a good idea the best way is to have lots of ideas and then discard the bad ones!
Applying Divergent and Convergent thinking Technique 3 – Reverse Brainstorming Problem 3 – Contributing to meetings
Reverse brainstorming forces you out of the mental valley by making you look at the ‘other end’ of the problem! NB Read the brief out carefully… people may be surprised by the wording!
Explain process, remind of brainstorming rules and principles Leave Rules and Principles slide showing whilst brainstorming for 10 minutes
Move straight on to Technique 4 – Top 3 Explain process, allow 10 minutes
Feedback … from task… Top 3 Tips for contributing to meetings Feedback.. from process (personal planning) Reminder – keep TECHNIQUE feedback separate from the PROBLEM feedback
… and finally, now really warmed up, we’ll look at another divergent thinking technique, using the work of Paul Plsek and Edward de Bono. One way to get out of a mental valley is to ‘jump’ to somewhere else, and then find your way back to the problem from there. We are going to take you to the far right side of your brain… and use pictures to stimulate your thinking. Exercise Technique 5 – Picture provocations Problem 4 – Leading and facilitating meetings Explain process, remind of brainstorming rules and principles Leave Rules and Principles slide showing whilst working for 10 mins
Ensure that the pictures are being stuck to the flipcharts, with legible and reasonably understandable captions – people from other groups will need to read and understand these in the next activity.
Leave Rules and Principles slide showing whilst working for 10 mins
Move straight on to… Technique 6 – Coloured dots
Explain, walk around room (5 mins)
Feedback…what comes out top on your chart? Process? How can we use this? Take feedback swiftly about the leadership issues. Spend a little more time talking about possible applications of picture provocations (are people inspired to try other divergent thinking techniques?) and coloured dots (any new ideas
Final quick session on making meetings run more smoothly…
Questions to ask before planning and organising a meeting Practical equipment for creative meetings If time allows, get participants to offer suggestions for these issues Some suggestions for handling cynics
Facilitation is coping with uncertain situations!! Process tools Enthusiasm Flexibility / adaptability Objectivity Be open minded
Are they trouble makers Or do they just see the world in a different way? ASSUMPTION - never make any!!! Makes an ass of u and me!!
Just a bit of fun to finish with Check that the video is working before you run this session! If not, add in your own slide to wrap up.
![Some facts about meetings… ,[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object],[object Object]](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)