Post on 26-Dec-2015
transcript
OUT OF THE BLUEOUT OF THE BLUE
CREATIVITY & PROBLEM SOLVING IN CREATIVITY & PROBLEM SOLVING IN LEADERSHIPLEADERSHIP
PERSONAL INTRODUCTIONSPERSONAL INTRODUCTIONS
NameName RoleRole Why here ?Why here ?
PROGRAMMEPROGRAMME
Personal introductionsPersonal introductions SimplicitySimplicity Critical thinkingCritical thinking It’s on the cardsIt’s on the cards How to provokeHow to provoke The Six Thinking Hats methodThe Six Thinking Hats method Metaphorically speakingMetaphorically speaking Mind MappingMind Mapping SynecticsSynectics ReframingReframing
SIMPLICITYSIMPLICITY
The workshop materials have been prepared with this The workshop materials have been prepared with this principle in mindprinciple in mind
deBono said that we place far too much importance on deBono said that we place far too much importance on complexity & that simplicity is a value worth striving forcomplexity & that simplicity is a value worth striving for
“ “dealing with complexity is an unnecessary & inefficient dealing with complexity is an unnecessary & inefficient waste of time, attention & mental energy”waste of time, attention & mental energy”
““there is never any justification for things being complex there is never any justification for things being complex when they could be simple”when they could be simple”
The Ten Rules of SimplicityThe Ten Rules of SimplicityYou need toYou need to
1.1. Put a very high value on simplicityPut a very high value on simplicity
2.2. Be determined to seek simplicityBe determined to seek simplicity
3.3. Understand the matter very wellUnderstand the matter very well
4.4. Design alternatives & possibilitiesDesign alternatives & possibilities
5.5. Challenge & discard existing elementsChallenge & discard existing elements
6.6. Be prepared to start over againBe prepared to start over again
7.7. Use conceptsUse concepts
8.8. Break things down into smaller unitsBreak things down into smaller units
9.9. Be prepared to trade off other values for simplicityBe prepared to trade off other values for simplicity
10.10. Know for whose sake the simplicity is being designed Know for whose sake the simplicity is being designed
CRITICAL THINKINGCRITICAL THINKING
The ability to be in control of one’s thinkingThe ability to be in control of one’s thinking Examine how one is reasoningExamine how one is reasoning Thinking about thinkingThinking about thinking The ability to recognise strengths & weaknesses in The ability to recognise strengths & weaknesses in
one’s thinking & improve itone’s thinking & improve it Understanding the assumptions at the foundation of a Understanding the assumptions at the foundation of a
path of reasoningpath of reasoning Realising the limitations of one’s frame of referenceRealising the limitations of one’s frame of reference
IT’S ON THE CARDSIT’S ON THE CARDS(pairs)(pairs)
List some work problems you would like to solve creativelyList some work problems you would like to solve creatively For each, record on a card :For each, record on a card :
- a label / name- a label / name
- up to six defining characteristics - up to six defining characteristics
- your name at the bottom- your name at the bottom
PROBLEM LABEL :PROBLEM LABEL :
CHARACTERISTICS :CHARACTERISTICS :
1.1. --
2.2. --
3.3. --
4.4. --
5.5. --
6.6. --
YOUR NAME :YOUR NAME :
HOW TO PROVOKEHOW TO PROVOKE(after Edward deBono)(after Edward deBono)
Creativity can be understood by regarding the human brain as a self Creativity can be understood by regarding the human brain as a self organising information information systemorganising information information system
Such a system makes & uses patterns in a logical way which explains Such a system makes & uses patterns in a logical way which explains creativitycreativity
These patterns become preferred, & our usual way of recognising These patterns become preferred, & our usual way of recognising thingsthings
We think of any new situation through our existing patternsWe think of any new situation through our existing patterns The brain can only see what it is prepared to seeThe brain can only see what it is prepared to see We tend to see only the idea we already haveWe tend to see only the idea we already have This is powerful & efficient methodThis is powerful & efficient method Think of a river (information) falling onto a surface (the brain)Think of a river (information) falling onto a surface (the brain) The pattern is the water courseThe pattern is the water course
Lateral thinkingLateral thinking is escaping the main track of thinking, is escaping the main track of thinking, moving across this instead of along it, as in normal moving across this instead of along it, as in normal thinking (thinking (vertical thinkingvertical thinking))
Provocation (Po) Provocation (Po) is a deliberate & systematic attempt is a deliberate & systematic attempt to think differently, & produces a movement away to a to think differently, & produces a movement away to a new positionnew position
eg cars should have square wheelseg cars should have square wheels The tools & techniques for lateral thinking are the The tools & techniques for lateral thinking are the
means of provocationmeans of provocation One of these tools is the Six Thinking Hats method One of these tools is the Six Thinking Hats method
THE SIX THINKING HATS THE SIX THINKING HATS METHODMETHOD
Developed by Edward de Bono in 1986Developed by Edward de Bono in 1986 A powerful,simple technique for Lateral A powerful,simple technique for Lateral
ThinkingThinking IBM reduced meeting time by 40% but kept IBM reduced meeting time by 40% but kept
effectivenesseffectiveness Used in peace processes in South Africa & Used in peace processes in South Africa &
Northern Ireland Northern Ireland A systematic way of thinking creatively : A systematic way of thinking creatively :
everyone thinks in the same way at the everyone thinks in the same way at the same timesame time
Works from traditional connections between Works from traditional connections between ‘thinking’ & ‘hats’‘thinking’ & ‘hats’
““Put your thinking hat on’’Put your thinking hat on’’ ““Wearing my management hat,I’d strongly Wearing my management hat,I’d strongly
advise we should do this”(role switch)advise we should do this”(role switch) Each hat represents a different type of Each hat represents a different type of
thinkingthinking Putting on a hat means thinking Putting on a hat means thinking exclusivelyexclusively
in that modein that mode Each hat is a tool selected for a particular Each hat is a tool selected for a particular
purposepurpose Any hat,any individualAny hat,any individual
THE WHITE HATTHE WHITE HAT
Think of a piece of paper carrying Think of a piece of paper carrying informationinformation
““What information do we have?What information do we have? What information is missing?What information is missing? What information would we like?What information would we like? How are we going to get it?”How are we going to get it?” In a meeting,set aside proposals & In a meeting,set aside proposals &
concentrate on the information to handconcentrate on the information to hand
THE RED HATTHE RED HAT Think of a warm,red fireThink of a warm,red fire This hat concerns emotions , hunches, This hat concerns emotions , hunches,
intuition , feelingsintuition , feelings Wearing it allows you to put forward your Wearing it allows you to put forward your
feelings without apology/justificationfeelings without apology/justification ““I just don’t like the way this is being doneI just don’t like the way this is being done My gut feeling is that this will never work”My gut feeling is that this will never work” Intuition can be wrong,but it can be Intuition can be wrong,but it can be
valuable to bring emotions out into open valuable to bring emotions out into open
THE BLACK HATTHE BLACK HAT
Think of a sombre judge in black robes Think of a sombre judge in black robes punishing wrong-doers punishing wrong-doers
It cautions us from making mistakesIt cautions us from making mistakes It points out that something will not workIt points out that something will not work ““Our policies do not allow us to do thatOur policies do not allow us to do that We cannot achieve that target”We cannot achieve that target” Overuse of the black hat can kill creativity Overuse of the black hat can kill creativity
THE YELLOW HAT THE YELLOW HAT
Think of sunshine,a logical positive view Think of sunshine,a logical positive view It looks for what is possible,how something can It looks for what is possible,how something can
be achievedbe achieved The benefits are reasonably basedThe benefits are reasonably based ““This might work if we could transfer some staff This might work if we could transfer some staff
to the siteto the site Let’s look at the benefits of your suggestion”Let’s look at the benefits of your suggestion” There should be some self conscious effort to There should be some self conscious effort to
search out benefits/value search out benefits/value
THE GREEN HAT THE GREEN HAT Think of abundant growth,vegetationThink of abundant growth,vegetation Think of new ideas & alternativesThink of new ideas & alternatives Think of possibilities & hypothesesThink of possibilities & hypotheses ““We need some new ideas hereWe need some new ideas here Lets find some alternativesLets find some alternatives Lets think creatively”Lets think creatively” Unlike Yellow Hat,ideas need not be logicalUnlike Yellow Hat,ideas need not be logical Using the Green Hat,you can ask directly Using the Green Hat,you can ask directly
for some creative effort for some creative effort
THE BLUE HATTHE BLUE HAT
Think of ‘cool’,the sky & overviewThink of ‘cool’,the sky & overview It controls the thinking process by reviewing itIt controls the thinking process by reviewing it It sets the agenda for thinkingIt sets the agenda for thinking ““Should we start off with some White Hat Should we start off with some White Hat
thinking?thinking? Putting on my Red Hat,I feel really angry with Putting on my Red Hat,I feel really angry with
the way this meeting is goingthe way this meeting is going Lets summarise that argument “Lets summarise that argument “
Usually,but not exclusively,worn by the Usually,but not exclusively,worn by the chairpersonchairperson
Any group member can productively put Any group member can productively put on the Blue Hat to make the thinking on the Blue Hat to make the thinking process more effectiveprocess more effective
The Blue Hat is for thinking about The Blue Hat is for thinking about thinkingthinking
SEQUENCINGSEQUENCING
““Begin & end with Blue. In between, use any Begin & end with Blue. In between, use any reasonable sequence”(de Bono)reasonable sequence”(de Bono)
Move the process of discussion in a desired orderMove the process of discussion in a desired order egeg
-Blue, White, Red, Yellow, Green, Black, Blue-Blue, White, Red, Yellow, Green, Black, Blue Each part/hat should be time limited – try two Each part/hat should be time limited – try two
minutesminutes
THE SIX THINKING HATSTHE SIX THINKING HATS
TOPIC/PROBLEM :TOPIC/PROBLEM :
SEQUENCE OF HATS :SEQUENCE OF HATS :
DURATION OF EACH HAT : DURATION OF EACH HAT :
METAPHORICALLY SPEAKINGMETAPHORICALLY SPEAKING
Metaphors imply a Metaphors imply a way of thinking way of thinking & & a way of seeinga way of seeing We try to understand one element of experience in terms We try to understand one element of experience in terms
of anotherof another We say that We say that AA isis (or is like) (or is like) BB If we say If we say “the man is a lion”,“the man is a lion”, we use the image of a lion to we use the image of a lion to
draw attention to the lion-like aspects of the mandraw attention to the lion-like aspects of the man Metaphors produce a one-sided insight, eg emphasising Metaphors produce a one-sided insight, eg emphasising
bravery, strength or ferocitybravery, strength or ferocity The same man may also be a chauvinist pig, a saint, a The same man may also be a chauvinist pig, a saint, a
bore, of a reclusebore, of a recluse
METAPHORSMETAPHORSACTIVITY ONEACTIVITY ONE
In pairs:In pairs: Each draw a picture to represent the culture Each draw a picture to represent the culture
of the team or service you work inof the team or service you work in Use a images, symbols, colour & a few Use a images, symbols, colour & a few
wordswords
Let your partner interpret your pictureLet your partner interpret your picture
METAPHORSMETAPHORSACTIVITY TWOACTIVITY TWO
Complete the following sentence, using the Complete the following sentence, using the card you have selected :card you have selected :
“ “ If Bradford Council were a If Bradford Council were a detail from card, detail from card,
it would be ait would be a ……..……..
because it’s …….. because it’s ……..
MIND MAPPINGMIND MAPPING
Created by Tony BuzanCreated by Tony Buzan Left brain thinking: Right brain thinking:Left brain thinking: Right brain thinking:
analysis synthesisanalysis synthesis
dissociation associationdissociation association
step by step logic fuzzy logicstep by step logic fuzzy logic
straight lines circlesstraight lines circles
maths musicmaths music
words images words images
rationality intuitionrationality intuition
reason dreamreason dream Used for first thoughts, generating ideas, creative thinking, Used for first thoughts, generating ideas, creative thinking,
organising ideas, taking notesorganising ideas, taking notes
SYNECTICSSYNECTICS
Greek word “synectikos” meaning “bringing forth together or Greek word “synectikos” meaning “bringing forth together or “bringing things into unified connection”“bringing things into unified connection”
All things, regardless of dissimilarity, can somehow be linked All things, regardless of dissimilarity, can somehow be linked togethertogether
It’s discovering the links that unite seemingly disconnected It’s discovering the links that unite seemingly disconnected elementselements
This increase creative output, emphasises the emotional & the This increase creative output, emphasises the emotional & the irrational so that they can be used with precisionirrational so that they can be used with precision
Synectics is:Synectics is:
based on the fusion of oppositesbased on the fusion of opposites
based on analogical thinkingbased on analogical thinking
synergistic – the result is greater than the sum of it’s partssynergistic – the result is greater than the sum of it’s parts
PUZZLES & PROBLEMSPUZZLES & PROBLEMS
A PUZZLE :A PUZZLE :
A single answer knowable on advance, you simply have to A single answer knowable on advance, you simply have to find it – eg a crosswordfind it – eg a crossword
A PROBLEMA PROBLEM
Many alternative answers, which cannot be known in Many alternative answers, which cannot be known in advance, as the problem is unique, & the solutions have to advance, as the problem is unique, & the solutions have to be created by the problem holderbe created by the problem holder
CLASSICAL PROBLEM SOLVINGCLASSICAL PROBLEM SOLVING
DEFINE THE PROBLEMDEFINE THE PROBLEM observation, perception, diagnosisobservation, perception, diagnosis EXPLORE THE PROBLEMEXPLORE THE PROBLEM gather information, reflection, creativity, analysis gather information, reflection, creativity, analysis GENERATE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONSGENERATE ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS imagination, creativity, open-mindednessimagination, creativity, open-mindedness CHOOSE A SOLUTIONCHOOSE A SOLUTION reasoning, analysis, decision makingreasoning, analysis, decision making IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTIONIMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION planning, delegation, time management, review & planning, delegation, time management, review &
evaluateevaluate
REFRAMINGREFRAMING
To change the meaning about somethingTo change the meaning about something This causes a change in perception & opens up new possibilitiesThis causes a change in perception & opens up new possibilities Frames are used in NLP to provide a context, focus or guidance for Frames are used in NLP to provide a context, focus or guidance for
thoughts & actionsthoughts & actions NLP uses various frames:NLP uses various frames: OUTCOME - what you want to achieve, & the resources required to OUTCOME - what you want to achieve, & the resources required to
achieve itachieve it ECOLOGY – what impact on other systems, body, family, work, ECOLOGY – what impact on other systems, body, family, work,
environment, communityenvironment, community EVIDENCE – how will you know when you have achieved your EVIDENCE – how will you know when you have achieved your
outcome, what will you see, hear, feel & experience?outcome, what will you see, hear, feel & experience? AS IF – acting as if the outcome has been achievedAS IF – acting as if the outcome has been achieved BACKTRACK - to check what has been agreed, understoodBACKTRACK - to check what has been agreed, understood
REFRAMING ACTIVITYREFRAMING ACTIVITY
In pairs:In pairs: Help your partner to reframe their problem Help your partner to reframe their problem Use the OUTCOME, ECOLOGY, Use the OUTCOME, ECOLOGY,
EVIDENCE, AS IF framesEVIDENCE, AS IF frames Use the BACKTRACK frame to check your Use the BACKTRACK frame to check your
understanding about the results of your understanding about the results of your discussion discussion
Review the advantages & drawbacks of the Review the advantages & drawbacks of the process process