Develop multiple ideas
Think and do the unusual
Learn to think differently
Here, we don’t look at reality through just one pair of glasses, but through 10 or 20 pairs, one on top of the other: as we try to influence, replace or remove these, we address the provocation this perception produces.
Our conscious thinking is based on analysis and judgment. Many excellent techniques exist for understanding what exists, but there are very few aimed at deliberately creating something new. These stimulate the brain and break out of regular patterns of thinking. Thought processes that involve less conflict are important when it comes to acting efficiently, and familiarity is beneficial when reliable action is required. When it comes to engaging in a creative process, however, these are a hindrance. So: do the Creativity Muscle Warm-Up.
Creative thinking – the ability to imagine something new – is needed as a core skill in public administration. It’s the only way to respond to new and complex challenges. This approach can be exhausting at times, but it results in pleasant surprises in the short term and produces creative and sustainable strategies in the long term.
Here’s a brain teaser to get you in the mood:
How can the following nine points be connected with a maximum of four straight lines without putting down the pen? Feel free to try several times.
Practice creativity
Creativity can be practiced – preferably with others. The art is to include different people’s perspectives even as you start out in search of a new idea. So at this stage, it’s essential to build on each other’s thoughts and develop these collaboratively. Using the Creative Cartwheel (p. 216) and the Ideas Generator (p. 220), you can come up with things nobody could ever have thought of on their own.
Creativity Muscle Warm-Up
Method
Creativity Muscle Warm-Up
What is it and what purpose does it serve?
Warm-ups are brief sessions lasting 5 to 15 minutes maximum that playfully help teams adopt specific work attitudes. Creativity warm-ups are especially appropriate before generating new ideas because they encourage the production of wild and crazy thoughts. This way, the team can prepare to turn off their inner censor and build courage for extraordinary ideas.
Added value
Creativity warm-ups break down barriers, foster empathy and weld teams together. They are easy to implement and can be used in almost any room situation for a wide variety of work formats. They encourage out-of-the-box thinking in teams, because each individual’s imagination is stimulated and the body is also activated in the process.
Creativity Muscle Warm-Up
Work sheet
Procedure
Make targeted use of the warm-up methods 30 Circles and Creative Aikido, e.g. just before developing ideas.
Put on the agenda and impose a time limit. Consider warm-up exercises in agenda planning and keep them short. The time constraint helps turn off the inner censor and allows the creative juices to flow freely.
Stay in the comfort zone. Choose warm-up exercises that create a good mood. Only when we feel good in ourselves can we be sure of a feelgood atmosphere in the group, too.
Create a safe atmosphere and have fun. There is no right or wrong with warm-ups. Lead by example and create a non-judgmental atmosphere.
Allow space for reflection. Warm-ups are not games. Finally, explain the purpose of each exercise to participants and invite them to engage in a brief reflection.
Two selected warm-ups show how the dormant creativity of a team can be awakened to promote collaborative thinking: 30 Circles and Creative Aikido. These warm-up methods have proven particularly useful in developing ideas. Other options can be found on the internet, e.g. 66+1 Warm-Up Posters.
Creative Cartwheel
Method
Creative Cartwheel
What is it and what purpose does it serve?
Creative cartwheeling involves alternating positive and negative thinking. The method is based on the principle of collective authorship. By always referring to the ideas of other team members, a collection of ideas is created that no single individual could have come up with on their own.
Added value
When an idea is passed from one person to the next, it can grow and change in unexpected ways. If we alternately stretch our imagination by means of exuberant approval and devastating criticism, amazing and original solutions emerge. Even if the individual ideas seem weird or impossible, the core often includes conceptual signposts that point in a promising direction.
Creative Cartwheel
Work sheet
Procedure
Form teams of no more than five people standing or sitting around a table. Print out the template for each person or transfer to an A4 sheet. Work on Steps 2 to 6 in silence.
Together, choose a “How Can We ...” question or a problem and write it at the top of the sheet. To do this, each person individually considers an unconventional solution and writes it down in Field A. Pass the sheet clockwise to your neighbor. (5 min)
Read through the solution. Think about what nasty sabotage prevents this idea. Write down your thoughts in Field B. Pass the sheet clockwise to your neighbor. (5 min)
Read through solution and the sabotage. Consider how to deal with this proactively: find a way to implement the positive suggestion anyway. Write it down in Field C. Pass the sheet clockwise to your neighbor. (5 min)
Repeat Step 3 for Field D, repeat Step 4 for Field E and so on.
Last round: Read through all the solutions. Note down similarities in Fields A/C/E on sticky notes. Read through all the sabotages. Note down similarities in Fields B/D/F on sticky notes. (10 min)
Present and discuss the content of the sticky notes out loud in the group. Identify overarching points in common and write down the concept.
Ideas Generator
Method
Ideas Generator
What is it and what purpose does it serve?
The Ideas Generator involves a problem or issue being viewed from different perspectives. Nine provocative approaches are used to develop ideas or create entirely new ones. This enables a large number of surprising notions to be formulated and considered quickly and comprehensively.
Added value
The Ideas Generator extends the thinking around a concept in different directions. This creates the basis for stimulating discussions that strengthen the solution. To use the tool effectively, the starting point (a concept from the Creative Cartwheel, problem or suggestion) should be clearly presented.
Ideas Generator
Work sheet
Procedure
Have all materials ready and print out or copy one template per concept idea from the Creative Cartwheel.
Enter core concept or solution in the upper left-hand corner of the sheet.
Consider what a normal rule (default settings, operating mode, ...) might be for this concept. Write down assumptions. Start description with “The way this will work from now on is that ...”.
Select and apply a suggested provocation. Referring to the concept, consider the following: “How does it work now?”. Note down the new rule in the relevant line.
Provocation reveals a new aspect. Referring to the new rule, consider the following: “What consequences does this have for the idea? How might it need to be adapted?”. Note down the new aspect in the relevant line.
Repeat Step 4 and 5 for further selected provocations or all of them.
Sift through and review all new aspects. If necessary, use the Visual Vote to prioritize.
Select best ideas. Write them down in the field at the top right so they can be used as the innovation process moves forward. Document outcomes.