Creativity Information

What Every Manager Should Know About How to Think Creatively


You may have heard of Roger von Oech's book, A Whack on the Side of the Head: How to Unlock Your Mind for Innovation. It's as much fun to read as its title suggests. It covers the ten common obstacles to creative thinking. It's about ways in which you can unlock your mind for innovation, for change, for more interest, or even for a career change.

Mr. Von Oech writes about the time when his English teacher in high school put a small chalk dot on the blackboard and asked the class to tell him what it was. A few seconds passed, and then someone said, "It's a chalk dot on the board." The rest of the class seemed relieved that the obvious had been stated, and no one else had anything more to say.

"I'm surprised at you," replied the teacher, "Yesterday I did the same exercise with a group of kindergartners, and they thought of fifty different things the chalk mark could be:

* a cat's eye,
* a cigar butt,
* a star,
* a pebble,
* a squashed bug,
* a rotten egg,
* a head,
* and so on.

The lesson that I wish to share with you is the importance of looking for more than one right answer. When you look, you will be surprised to learn how many answers are available.

We have been trained in school to look only for the first right answer to every problem. The average person does this; the creative person looks for many.

Looking beyond the first solution to a problem can result in a whole new set of serendipitous solutions - solutions that can be a hundred times better than the first one.

Remember: When you maximize your potential, everyone wins. When you don't, we all lose.

© Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW

PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in ezines, newsletters, and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required. Contact him at: executiveandgroup-consulting@yahoo.com when you use this article.

Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW, Management Consultant and Trainer, conducts lectures, seminars, webinars, and writes articles on his theme: "... helping you maximize your potential." He offers management, marketing, and parenting resources at hisMaximizing Y our Potential blog.


MORE RESOURCES:

What ways do your cats show their creativity and resourcefulness?
Seattle Post Intelligencer - 15 hours ago
... Speedy trembled below on the table and endured poking and prodding. Catch me if you can! What ways do your cats show their creativity and resourcefulness?


City's art world navigates tough times with creativity
Louisville Courier-Journal, KY - 5 hours ago
But creative coping is going on in Louisville's art world. Sculptor Brad Devlin has started producing smaller works and smaller price points to keep sales ...


Home-school teacher recognized for leadership, creativity
La Vista Sun, Ne - Nov 22, 2008
She was awarded the scholarship for her leadership and creativity in bringing entrepreneurship education to the schools. The conference in Austin brought ...


Vibrant space for creativity
Hindu, India - 19 hours ago
We are seeing a lot of creativity, though it is still not marketable enough for local collectors. But I definitely would like to introduce more new media ...


Think commuting can't be creative? Check out these winners
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN - 12 hours ago
"Commuter Creativity" might be a better name. The annual ceremony was held on Thursday, and Roadguy had the privilege of serving as emcee. ...


This Season, Depend on Your Creativity as Much as Your Credit Card
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
"This year, it's all about quality, safety, and depending on your creativity as much as your credit card." 1. Pick toys that have staying power over toys ...


From Tree-Napping to Fake Papers, Rivalry Inspires Creativity
Daily Californian, CA - Nov 21, 2008
The Stanford tree was relieved of its duties at Stanford by a group calling itself the "Phoenix Five" in 1998, spending two weeks as a "hostage" at Cal ...


The Secret of Creativity
Blogcritics.org, OH - 23 hours ago
To be precise, every one of us can become involved in any forms of creative art. The irony is such that people conclude too early in their life, ...


Workshop nurtures creativity
Martinsburg Journal, WV - Nov 21, 2008
By Jillian E. Kesner / Journal Staff Writer MARTINSBURG - The creative juices were flowing at Orchard View Intermediate on Friday as Cheryl Ware, ...


Core Learning Announces Launch of Crayola Art Studio
MarketWatch - Nov 21, 2008
"We are delighted to collaborate with Crayola in developing wonderful creativity software products for children," said Core Learning President & CEO Doug ...

Creativity - Google News

home | site map
© 2008