Fundamentals of Creativity

Presented By

Bob Sharpbob@ExplodingCreativity.com

August 13th, 2009

http://explodingcreativity.com

Definitions dictionary.com

The ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination.

The process by which one utilizes creative ability.

Some Creativity CharacteristicsJoy, state of play, humor, not rushed

Productivity – quantity leads to qualityDo something, anythingDon’t let perfection be the enemy of the goodTolerance of risk, failure, and the unknown

Looking at things from different perspectives

Randomness, unexpected, spontaneousSleeping well, napping, daydreamingSerendipity – being observantHard times, necessity, curiosity

Triune Brain Model

Left-Brain Right-Brain

Analytical Creative

Logical Thinks in pictures

Speech Flashes of insight

Breaks things down into parts

Sees things as a whole

Seven Intelligences1.Language 2.Math and Logic3.Music4.Spatial Reasoning5.Movement6.Interpersonal Intelligence

7.Intrapersonal Intelligence

DiversityHelps us to see things from different

perspectives

YourselfSeek different kinds of people to interact with, different kinds of knowledge, learning, and experiences

Break out of routine

Be an active observer

Your TeamGender, age, culture

Job function

Team role

Add customers, investors, other stakeholders

Personality type

LeadershipGreat leadership can lead to great

creative resultsSelectionOrganization culture, values, morale, and motivation

TrustAdvocacy vs. InquiryBelbin Team Roles: Coordinator, Shaper, Plant, Team Worker, Implementer, Completer-Finisher, Monitor-Evaluator, Resource Investigator, Specialist

Leadership styles: Visionary, Coaching, Affiliative, Democratic, Pacesetting, Commanding

Some Creativity KillersOrganizational that punishes risk taking,

experimentation, failureLack of trust, fearAdvocacy environment, strongly political

environmentOveruse of Pacesetting and/or Commanding

leadershipMicromanagingSelection of wrong people, keeping bad team

members, defensivenessLack of flexibility in how teams organize

themselves

NotebooksUsed for most/all other creativity techniquesUseful for patents; first-to-invent policyAction Items, To Do List, Course Notes,

ScratchpadDeveloping ideas now and laterIdea Log, Dream LogJournaling => Intrapersonal Intelligence

DevelopmentBetter than relying on memoryUse of multiple notebooks

BrainstormingUsed to expand the number of choices to choose

fromGroup creativity technique, but can be done aloneSeparates creative act of inventing from the act

of decidingEveryone encouraged to express ideasJudgment deferred. Quantity of ideas, not

quality of ideas, is the initial goal.Ideas are listed, combined, improved, changedAfterwards, judgment is used and the group

selects one idea

Mind MappingBubble diagram used to capture and organize

ideas and the relationships between the ideas Not started with preconceived hierarchies or

frameworksUsed as-is for remembering and organizing Used in problem solving, decision making, and

writingUsed as the basis for to-do lists, formal

planning, etc.Good brainstorming toolXMIND, FreeMind free software tools

Example Mind Map

Other Drawing TechniquesUnified Modeling Language

(UML)FishboneSystem MappingForce Field AnalysisYour own drawing and drawing

conventions

Substitute

Process, procedure, rule, people, place, time, color, approach, part, shape, texture, sound, smell, name, people’s feelings or attitudes

Combine

Ideas, purposes, parts, assortments, materials, people, appeals talents combined or merged; can a blend be created

Adapt Different context, other ideas, circumstances, what can be copied or imitated, who can be emulated, what different contexts can the subject be put in to

MagnifyMinifyModify

Larger, extended, exaggerated, overstated; time added; higher, longer, strongerSmaller, restricted, understated, streamlined; less time, slower, lighterAltered for the better; meaning, plan, process, shape, package, name change

Put to other uses

New uses, other markets or industries, or any other uses if the thing is modified somehow; used by people other than those it was originally intended for

Eliminate

What can be omitted, divided, split-up, separated into different components; what rules or processes can be eliminated; simplification; eliminate waste

ReverseRearrange

Opposites, negatives, turned around, backwards, upside down; reverse rolesOther arrangement, parts interchanged, other pattern or layout or sequence, changed pace or schedule

SCAMPER

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