Creativity

And here we go for a new post!

It starts to make quite number!

Today I'm gonna talk about entrepreneurial creativity, which is basically the creativity linked and needed with entrepreneurship.


From the beginning I'd like to say I didn't know the concept of "lateral thinking" created by Edward Bono, but I found it very interesting! And even more since I believe it can be applied in the everyday life to enlarge our consciousness, to "wake up".
Besides his article "Serious Creativity" (1995) is one of those which give concrete informations, examples and exercises easy to understand and apply to try what is explained and check its value for ourselves.

Now to go deeper into the concept of "creativity".
I found it interesting how Bono brings back "thinking" as  anybody's business: "Creative thinking is definitely not limited to special people...".
I believe it helps to understand that, within a company, new ideas can come from anyone (thus the need for managers to listen).

On the other hand I was surprised that the term "creativity" could apply to lots of ideas: for example taking an already existing product and enlarging it (as we saw during the lecture). For me only what was entirely new could be defined as "creative".
But after all, as they say: "It's a simple enough idea, but somebody had to think of it."

Back to Bono and his techniques: I must say I had never heard of the "random word" as a way to enhance creativity! It is definitely something that helps "thinking out of the box" since it totally short-circuits our perception of a situation (by including something that seem to have no link at all).
I'd wish to try it out, and see a bit the results.

However his major idea is doubtlessly the six hats system.
It is hard for me to say anything about it since this is the 1st time I discover it. I would like to try it out too, to see for myself how it works in the real world.
Yet I didn't really understand how it could "introduce the time and space for creativity"... From what I see it is rather the contrary that happens: you 1st need both to use the Six Hats in a brainstorming.

However one major advantage that I see already, and I would say it is the same with the "PO" idea, is that both these techniques force somebody to analyze what he/she is saying. It is an excellent way to become aware or your behavior, because you have to say "watch out incoming PO!", or "I'm wearing a XXX hat right now". Basically you explicitly tell what you are doing, meaning you are aware of it.

It is actually quite true with the "side track" concept too! From what I experienced it is indeed from the moment you think differently (and thus go on the side track) that you see the main track your were on, unconsciously.
Thus looking for "side tracks" in any fields of life is, I believe, a way to enlarge your consciousness ("waking up", realizing things, understandings causes behind effects), and of course a good opportunity to bring new ideas!

I'll conclude this post with another reference to my experience, regarding the ability of entrepreneurs to link datas and discover opportunities (as described by Ko and Butler, 2007).
It seems to me that, when you are aware of the fact you are looking for something (even if you don't know exactly what form it will take), you easily make connections in your mind because you are alert.
For example if you want something (either an object, an experience or anything) but right now you don't know how to get it, unconsciously you will always look for a way.
It is not something conscious, where you unceasingly repeat for yourself "I need this, I want that". You just want it so bad that it is always there, and thus the connections with what you live, experience, read or else, are automatic and instantaneous.
It's not a coincidence if leaders learn to visualize their aims: that's a very powerful way to put your objective/desire at an unconscious level. And I guess entrepreneurs are more or less always willing to grasp new opportunities, and thus they just see them!


Ok, keep tuned for the next entry!

David