Creative Problem Solving

Course objectivesSuccessful completion of this course will increase your knowledge and ability to: Identify roadblocks that prevent creative

thinking.Develop a creative attitude and learn to

see every problem as an opportunity.Rediscover your creative ability.

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Course objectivesFocus and direct creative efforts.Overcome criticism and gain acceptance

for new ideas.Learn creative and effective techniques to

recognize and identify problems.Explore techniques on how to manage

creative people.Realize the significance of humor and how

it impacts creativity.

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CreativeProblem Solving

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Learning objectivesSuccessful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to:

Overcome ingrained beliefs.Define creativity.Identify myths and facts about creativity.Assess barriers to creativity in your

workplace.

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“Imagination is more important than knowledge.”

—Albert Einstein

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Which group is most creative?NASA engineersFirst gradersModern paintersHomemakersJournalists

Auto mechanicsArchitectsCollege studentsMovie producers

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Evaluate your answerAge 40 – 2% creativeAge 30 – 2% creativeAge 25 – 2% creativeAge 17 – 10% creativeAge 5 – over 90% creative

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Which is it?Creativity

The process of generating something new that has value.

There are many new ideas, but some may not have value.

InnovationThe process of

creating something new.

It has significant value to an individual, group, an organization, society, or an industry.

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Creative environment“The question isn’t whether you want more creative employees; you’ve already got them. The real question is whether you’re going to recognize their creativity and figure out how to use it better.”

—Stan Gryskiewicz, The Center for Creative

Leadership

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Step one

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Draw a rectangle.

Step two

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Add two smaller rectangles at the top edges of

the big rectangle.

Step three

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Add lines as indicated.

Step four

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Add triangle and lines as indicated.

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Step fiveAdd curved lines as indicated.

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Add lines as indicated.Step six

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Add triangles and square.Step seven

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Add circles and rectangles.Step eight

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You drew a pirate ship!Step nine

Myth busters

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The Wright brothers were bike mechanics.

The 15% RuleEmployees are given 15% of their work time to pursue pet projects and new ideas.

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Pet Project

Time

DevelopingRough Ideas

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Learning objectivesSuccessful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to:

Develop a clear plan for getting ideas heard.

Navigate office politics.Instill a creative and fun environment for

employees.

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Seek an Idea SponsorSeek an alliance with a coworker or a

mentor.They help refine ideas.They help you get past gatekeepers.

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Be an Idea SponsorReturn the favor and act as a catalyst for

creativity: Assume the bestListenAllow freedom to failEncourage creativityBe consistent

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Fun, Fun, Fun!!As the founders of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

say,

“If it’s not fun, why do it?”

Hey…it’s worked for them!

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Strengthening Your Problem Solving Skills

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Learning objectivesSuccessful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to:

Define problem solving.Focus your ideas into creative actions.Apply the five actions that result in

creative problem solving.Articulate how failure and risk taking are

at the core of innovation.Determine your own creative style.

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Problem solvingBridging the gap between where you are…

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…and where you

want to be.

Creative actions

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ACTION

Problem

Failure

Opportunity

Pure creativity

“Every act of creation

begins with an act of

destruction.”

—Pablo Picasso

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The creative twistA new inventionA problem solvedImprovements on

existing technologyRecovering

something positive and productive from a failure

Refocusing on a new, productive track 32

Be brave, take risks…View setbacks in a positive light.Don’t be a perfectionist.Become comfortable with

ambiguity.

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…It pays off!

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EnthusiastsEnterprising VenturesomePersuasiveNatural leadersSolve problems

through discussion

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InquirersLove new

informationObservantInvestigate

optionsSolve problems

by applying new information

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ArtistsLike to create new

ideasAnti-status quoPrefer flexibilityCreate new

solutions to problems

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TraditionalistsDetail-orientedLike numbers,

figures, and dataLike clarityPrefer systematic

approachesSolve problems by

maintaining the status quo

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HumanistsEnjoy helping

peopleSkilled with wordsNatural leadersGive guidance to

othersSolve problems

through discussion

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PragmatistsExcellent

mechanical abilities

Like to be moving and active

Enjoy work with plants, animals, or things

Use a hands-on approach to problem solving

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Making CreativeIdeas Practical

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Learning objectivesSuccessful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to:

Determine a personalized technique for getting into the optimal creative mood.

Explore different problem-solving techniques.

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The Alpha state is the most creative.

How do you get there?

Brain waves

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Mind mapping

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New Fitness ProductAutomated

Customized

Exercise

Schedule

Weight Loss

Repeat

Customers

Ease of Use

IdentifyingPotential Solutions

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Learning objectivesSuccessful completion of this chapter will increase your knowledge and ability to:

Approach potential solutions to a problem from many different angles.

Recognize and avoid groupthink in your team.

Determine the merits of evaluation techniques.

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Analogies

BusinessReorganizatio

n

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=

Fishbone diagram

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Poor Sales of a

New Product

Competitor

Actions

Small Sales

Force

Lack of

Advertising

Poor Product

Design

Priced Too

HighLate Release

Another fishbone diagram

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Affinity diagram

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Scatter diagrams

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The Bay of Pigs

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Perceptions

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What do you see?

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Is it coming or going?

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Is it a duck…?

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Or is it a bunny?

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Questions