creativity

One cannot live a creative life without first letting go of the fear of being wrong.

Take it a step further and look to non-business analogies and metaphors. If redesigning a product, ask what the product is really like. If redesigning a computer chip, look to racing circuits, rivers, or anything with a flow. A gas pipeline company developed a new technology for finding and sealing pipeline cracks by mirroring the clotting agents in the human body.

Man is happiest when he is creating. In fact, the highest state of which man is capable lies in the creative act.

Everyone is born creative; everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten.

I have found that there are two factors that inhibit our ability to think creatively as adults: 1) knowledge/expertise, and 2) the need to look good.

It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new system. For the initator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institutions and merely lukewarm defenders of those who would gain by the new ones.

Our beliefs and thoughts are killing us, whereas imagination and creativity liberate us.

Can you imagine how many hot dogs you would have to sell to make a $50K?

This highlights one of the mistakes that organizations make when thinking about innovation.

Although top executives typically keep their eyes on the end game (usually some variation of short- and long-term stock price), as you move down through the organization this changes. The focus shifts to measuring and managing tasks and products (such as selling hot dogs). The reality is, these are only a means to an end.

The solution? Stop micro-managing activities and make sure that every employee understands – and keeps their eyes on - business fundamentals and what matters most. This will enhance both creativity and overall business performance.

Tools are great. But giving people tools, without first changing their mindset is useless.

People buy more weight loss books/diets (tools) than all other books, yet people are fatter than ever. Why? Most diets do not address the psychological reasons (mindset) for eating.

The same holds true for innovation.

Do not train your employees on creativity techniques or bring in innovation software until you have addressed your underlying cultural issues (the mindset).

Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.