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I gave a talk recently about the benefit
of using creative problem solving techniques. At the start of the talk, I asked
audience members to raise their hands if they considered themselves as being creative.
I was surprised when almost all of the audience raised their hands! In preparing
for the session, I had made an assumption that only a
few would classify themselves as being creative. That's
the nature of assumptions, I remembered. I gave the audience response to the creativity
question some deep thought afterwards, because I was confused. The general observation
I have made about individuals' level of creativity, their creativity quotient,
is that it is kept well hidden and disguised in some
deep file cabinet of the mind. After some intense pondering, I have come
up with a follow up question for those creative audience members who raise their
hands. I will ask for all of those who raised a hand to tell me about their creative
problem solving triumphs in the last twelve months. I suspect that few will be
able to recite a situation where creativity was engaged to come up with a new
problem solution. Using creative problem solving techniques requires effort. It's
more than choosing a different solution from the list of known solutions to a
particular problem. The process of being creative demands that the brave and strong
challenge themselves to try something never tried before. Leading a mental safari into unmapped jungles
in search of a new solution is risky business. After all, there are ego-eaters
in the jungles. What if it doesn't work? What if my colleagues
think I'm foolish? What if I create a larger problem to solve? Having faith in your creativity and the
process of creative problem solving will help you through the fear of failure.
Here are some principles for creative problem solving from Paul Selwyn, a California business speaker who specializes in creativity for
businesses. A "yes-yes" attitude This is instead of a "yes-but" attidtude. Rather than focus on what won't work, try to take an idea to its next step. Have a beginner's mind Try to look at old problems with a beginner's insight.
Invite input from people who know little about the problem. This can lead to breakthrough
ideas. No need to be right Keep an open mind, and let go of the need to be right.
It can lead to new ideas. Willingness to
suspend judgement Learn to be an
encourager of ideas, and withhold judgment on them as long as possible. Recognize and let go of assumptions Keep asking why, and you'll
be surprised at the answers. This is much better than hanging on to an assumption
about an idea. The simple secret for becoming a creative
problem solver is practice. Just like any skill, the more you practice using your
creative problem solving technique, the easier it becomes. Practice is an amazing skill builder. You
engage in the practice of life daily. Try adding creative thinking and problem
solving to your daily practice regimen. | 
