1) The Storyteller: Using a mind map
This type of a creative person achieves results and innovations by a guided though creative thinking process. He uses stories to get solutions. A few catchwords are enough; he uses them to create storylines and to develop ideas.
Here’s how you can get new ideas: use the creative right part of your brain. Write out a mind map. Just use a big piece of paper and start in the center. Draw a circle and write the task (such as ’Organizing a party’) right in the middle of it.
Now you move from the center and draw a line that will be a branch of your mind map. On that line you will write down a solution to accomplish your task. On the first line you could write: “We will have an indoor picnic”. This is the first solution to your problem. On a second line could be written: ’Let’s have dessert first’. And finally a third solution. On third line you will write: We will be eating on the floor’. Go into great detail with your solutions.
A mindmap makes the thinking process visible.
2) The Cooperator: Finding support
These kind of people find solutions always in conjunction with others. Being close to other people makes them going. They are empathic, understand every customer and are able to build a relationship that brings new ideas.
Here’s how to get new ideas: Many people say that they are smart and that they don’t really need somebody to tell them what to do. In this case, think about this: Tiger Woods, the best golf player of all times, had a coach. Obviously, not to show him how to play golf, but to help him succeed!
A coach can help you to develop abilities you didn’t even think you had. Do not refuse this kind of special knowledge.
3) The Cross Pollinator: Arousing your curiosity
This creativity type gets inspired by ideas of other people. He discovers relations between thought that, for other people, are not related. This type of person is interested in many subjects. That way, the cross pollinator introduces ideas that come from outside the company.
Here’s how to get new ideas: do what you love to do, but do not restrict yourself to those things. Explore new horizons by subscribing to magazines, podcasts, seminars or talks – things that have nothing to do with your present life.
It is true: there are people who are trying to solve a problem, but are only banging their head against the wall. This sort of cross fertilizing helps them to get to break through.
4) The Field Researcher: Leaving the waters of forgetfulness
The field researcher gets most of the ideas not at his desk nor in meetings, but when he is out and with people. He is some sort of an anthropologist: he observes others and how they use products or services. This gives him the inspiration how to improve things.
Here’s how to get new ideas: the biggest danger whatsoever is to forget your ideas. We are wired in a way that I dears do not come to us when we observe something or when we’re sitting at the desk but nearly always under the circumstances. Did you ever have a great idea in the shower, orwhen you lie in bed, or when you drive your car, or on other occasions?
You have to try to jot down 100% of your ideas, be it on the backside of your boarding pass, on a small notepad, your BlackBerry or your iPhone. But you have to take note of the ideas. Don’t judge them yet, just jot them down. The evaluation part comes later.
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The ideas mentioned in this article are taken from the book by Tom Kelly “The Ten Faces Of Innovation”.
Inspired by the roles that Tom has seen emerge at IDEO, the leading design firm where Kelley is general manager, The Ten Faces of Innovation is filled with engaging stories of how businesses have used innovation and design thinking to transform customer experience.
If you want to purchase a copy of this fantastic book, just click the following link:
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