Expert Insights on Creative Thinking & Brainstorming

IN THIS COURSE

• 1.  Enabling Creativity in an Organization
  2m
  Creativity is needed in every aspect of business; especially as business environments change. FREE ACCESS
• 2.  Two Myths about Creativity
  1m 53s
  Labels block creativity. The biggest blocker; however; is fear. We let fear talk us out of reaching our creative potential. We may have a great idea in a meeting but hold back from fear. FREE ACCESS
• 3.  Creativity is Learned
  3m 7s
  We may understand the need for creativity; but not see ourselves as creative. FREE ACCESS
• 4.  Anyone Can Learn to Think Creatively: Taking the Creative Leap of Faith
  4m 38s
  At times we feel we are stuck; that there are no solutions to the problem we face; that we can do nothing about it. But no problem is insurmountable. Gaia Grant explains how we all can learn to move toward creative solutions. FREE ACCESS
• 5.  Nurturing Your Own Creative Thinking
  3m 41s
  If you really want to be a creative thinker; you need to approach your day systematically and guard your time so that you can focus on projects and issues; shares Gaia Grant. Here; she talks about how to take control of your time. FREE ACCESS
• 6.  When and Where Do You Do Your Best Thinking?
  1m 20s
  Where do you do your best thinking? Chances are; it isn't at work. FREE ACCESS
• 7.  Judgment and Creativity
  1m 48s
  Freedom from judgment is important at the beginning of the creative process. People who brainstorm understand this. But at some point the tree must be pruned in order to move from openness to closure. That requires judgment. FREE ACCESS
• 8.  When We Get Our Best Ideas
  4m 25s
  We’d ideally love to have great; innovative ideas at our beck and call. But it doesn’t work that way. Anne Riches tells us why; and she offers strategies for recharging your brain. FREE ACCESS
• 9.  Facilitate Creativity Using Role Storming
  1m 20s
  Role storming is brain storming in character. Assign people roles. This is fun and removes the fear. FREE ACCESS
• 10.  Creativity Involves a Leap
  3m 21s
  The creative process involves a leap to connection rational with irrational parts of the brain. FREE ACCESS
• 11.  Creative Solutions Require Determination, Not Luck
  4m 2s
  Creative people who come up with solutions and are highly successful are often both admired and perceived as lucky. Not so; says Gaia Grant. The primary ingredient to creative thinking is perseverance. FREE ACCESS
• 12.  Identifying Obstacles to Creative Thinking
  4m 11s
  Creative thinking is an integral skill that directly impacts a company’s health and future. But while it is in ever increasing demand; it seems to becoming more elusive. Gaia Grant explains why creativity has dropped off in recent years. FREE ACCESS
• 13.  The Creativity Killers: How Control and Restriction Can Lead to Destruction
  4m 46s
  A company can build a culture of creative thinking; but there is a counterculture that fights against that creativity; Gaia Grant says. Here; she identifies and details the seven key killers that can destroy creativity. FREE ACCESS
• 14.  Four Steps to Solving a Problem
  3m 39s
  Even if your problem is well stated, it may not be solvable. Follow these four steps to frame your problems in a way that makes solutions possible. FREE ACCESS
• 15.  Brainstorming Begins with Questions
  3m 37s
  Does your approach to brainstorming start with asking everyone to yell out ideas? If so, Levy has an easier, less-intimidating, and better way to begin. FREE ACCESS
• 16.  Benefits of Friendly Competition
  3m 44s
  To solve a particularly difficult problem, challenge individuals to tap into their inner Frankenstein. FREE ACCESS
• 17.  The Performance Paradox: Less Effort Yields More Results
  2m 45s
  A NASCAR pit crew improved its time when they were measured on process; not on a stopwatch. Increasing motivation improves performance only to a point. Don’t measure innovation teams on extrinsic goals like number of ideas; concentrate on the process. FREE ACCESS
• 18.  Finding the Best Solution: Use Line-Thinking to Connect the Dots
  3m 15s
  Steve Jobs said creativity is having enough dots to connect—finding solutions in different places. Asking for uses of a brick is different from asking to connect a brick to a random object. FREE ACCESS
• 19.  Alone then Together: Building More Creative Meetings
  2m 14s
  Forty years of research on brainstorming confirms that creative ideas are best developed in two cycles. Encourage participants to spend quiet time alone before sharing their thoughts; then repeat — time alone followed by group brainstorming. FREE ACCESS
• 20.  To Enable Creativity Care About What You’re Doing
  2m 42s
  We are inherently creative. That creativity only needs to be released. The quickest way is to care—deeply care—about what you’re doing. FREE ACCESS
• 21.  Forced Connections
  2m 27s
  Use the attributes of an unrelated object when you’re running out of ideas. For example; Lisa Bodell uses a bag of popcorn to apply “light;” “fun;” and “natural” of the popcorn to help design a table; then a magic marker for ideas to help design a new shower. FREE ACCESS
• 22.  The Invisible Habits of Excellence # 4: Make Room for Creativity
  3m 39s
  Whatever your problem; creativity is the answer. But creativity needs space; it cannot be summoned on demand. Juliet Funt’s creative moments come when she is lying in bed with her kids; waiting for them to go to sleep. Schedule time to just think. Protect that time. FREE ACCESS
• 23.  Throw Ideas Away
  1m 43s
  Put a wastebasket on a table and hand out index cards. Ask participants to write ideas on the index cards; and then put the cards in the wastebasket. Keep going until the index cards are gone. Then sort the cards. The first ideas will be obvious; then they get innovative. FREE ACCESS
• 24.  How to Be Seen As More Creative
  2m 45s
  Having a reputation for creativity can ignite your career, but sometimes your competency can overshadow your creativity. These strategies help you showcase your skill as a creative contributor. FREE ACCESS
• 25.  Utilize Creative People
  2m 4s
  Companies don’t need to hire more creative people; they need to support the ones they already have. FREE ACCESS
• 26.  Using Distance to Unfocus
  3m 29s
  Creativity is boosted by periods of “unfocus,” which can be achieved through social, temporal, and physical distance. FREE ACCESS
• 27.  Nonlinear Thinking Enhances Creativity
  3m 51s
  A linear mindset can stand in the way of the creative process. FREE ACCESS
• 28.  Dichotomy Resolution
  3m 26s
  Sometimes what we want and what we need are in opposition to each other. Dichotomy resolution is a design tool that helps you be creative in making your wants and needs coexist. FREE ACCESS
• 29.  Thinking Like a Designer
  2m 31s
  Creativity is a skill, not a talent. Even if you don’t work in design, you can learn to think creatively and problem-solve by exercising the creative part of your brain. FREE ACCESS
• 30.  Approaching Problems with an Open and Creative Mindset
  3m 6s
  When disaster strikes or a business model is upended, a leader’s instinct is often to double-down on personal experience and the established way of doing things. This feels safe. But the instinct to play safe can also blind you to other possible solutions. Discover the benefits of embracing new possibilities and an open mindset. FREE ACCESS