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Friday, 20 August 2004 |
If there is one thing most of us are good at, it's being a critic. We may not have a single suggestion ourselves, but we sure can shoot down other's ideas with ease. I used to be great at it. Still am sometimes according to my wife. We are always looking to make things correct, restore order, eliminate anomalies, and preserve the status quo. "No surprises" is our motto. Of course there is an appropriate time for a critical perspective review. New, creative ideas or innovations need it and it's healthy, but not all of the time.
You should spend as much (no never mind) more time being creative with an idea than being critical. When someone approaches you with a creative idea, ask yourself, "What does this idea suggest? Can this lead to another creative idea? What is interesting and innovative about this idea?"
Find the positives. Force yourself to come up with something that has creative merit. What is different about the idea? What are the pluses? Try the "Five Whys" process on the idea. Ask yourself "Why?" at least five times.
What happened the last time you proposed a new creative idea to your boss? Did she ask, "What principles are involved here? Can we come up with a provocation of the creative idea that makes it more interesting?" How many new and creative ideas could you come up with if she did?
Can't get anyone to go along with you and ask these type of questions? Ask the questions yourself and really watch the creative thought flow.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 19 November 2004 )
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