In an article about creative problem solving, author J.Baumgartner said: “The secret to creative thinking is to start with good problems. Then you need to turn those problems into thought provoking challenges.”
We are our best when we allow problems to help craft our creativity. In order for this theory to become practice, we have to understand the necessity we have as leaders to respond to issues and not react to them. Often we rush to resolve symptoms and don’t understand that our best creativity is birthed when we are looking to cure diseases.
Problems are not only important…they are necessary. We have to embrace our problems and leverage them for the future of our creative process. Creativity, new ideas, and execution that allows us to cure the diseases of our organizations will help everything we do get more healthy.
1. Diagnose our Issue. As we face problems, if we want to creatively solve theme, we can start with a few questions that will help us collect data:
Why do we have this problem?
Is this problem the core issue or a symptom of a bigger issue?
Why do we have this problem?
If we solve this problem, what new problems could develop?
What is the motivation of this problem? What causes the problem to exist?
What chain reactions will occur when this problem gets stolid?
2. Find Solutions. Once we have the problem identified, we have to move into solution mode. In solution mode we find the “new”, new ideas, new angles, new opportunities that our problems have uncovered. Solution mode requires all the tools of a brainstorming meeting. (No “no’s”, no boundaries, no bad ideas)
How can we solve this?
What if we tried this?
Could we experiment with this?
What could possibly be created to correct this?
If we do this…THIS could happen.
3. Start to Execute. The final step is identifying the viability of these new ideas.
Does this fit into our mission?
Do we have the resource?
What speed do we need to execute these solutions?
Is possible to execute this successfully?
Will this new solution position us in a better place than our previous problem?
Approaching our problems creatively helps us not be as intimidated or resistant to embracing the opportunity that lives inside of our problems.
What other ways have you found to use creativity to address your problems?
Such a solid post Brewster! Love these questions and solutions can be applied our lives and relationships as well. Would love to see a shift in how we value and pursue solutions.
Solid, clear process. Thanks for sharing.
Great article Stephen. The sequence is spot on. For anyone whose thinking of using this process (and we urge you to do so) should learn the divergent and convergent thinking techniques. You learn some on my blog http://www.divergentahead.wordpress.com.
Jensen