A common misunderstanding
It is a misunderstanding to think that the purpose of a creative thinking session is to come up with new ideas or innovative concepts. Nor is it the mere application of a creative thinking technique, however exotic it may be.
The purpose is to escape from dominant thinking patterns. It is to look for (temporary) impossibilities.
10 main points
- Realize yourself why we fail to produce ideas, even under the guidance of an experienced facilitator.
- Know the basic concepts or principles underlying some 250 or more creative thinking techniques.
- Understand the social dynamics of thinking in a group.
- Know the difference between an idea and an innovation.
- Know exactly what the thinking situation actually is.
- Structure your session well: the 20-minute idea boost or the Ideathon.
- Pay rigor attention to defining the focus.
- Avoid boring ideas and push harder.
- Know when you have stumbled on a really good idea.
- Capture the ideas as a result of the thinking in a formal way.
