Creative Thinking

Overview

What is creative thinking? Sir Ken Robinson describes it as 'having ideas that add value'. It is becoming generally accepted that in these uncertain times, the ability to think in new and innovative ways is essential in order to not only survive but thrive when facing future challenges.
There is a well known saying, 'if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always got'. There is an important addition to this and it is, 'if you always think what you have always thought….you will always do what you have always done'.

Who will this course benefit?

This course is for you if you want to find new ways of creating, exploring and evaluating ideas that can truly add value to you, your team and your organisation.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

• recognise the key characteristics for creative thinking
• know the similarities and differences between problem solving and solution development
• make the most of the difference between left and right brain thinking
• know how to overcome thinking blocks
• formulate effective questions
• create the right environment for creative thinking
• balance creative and critical thinking in order to move to action.

What will the course cover?

• Where creativity comes from.
• How to stimulate creativity.
• Creating the right environment to think.
• de Bono's 6 Thinking Hats.
• Right brain, left brain and whole brain approaches.
• Using 'Appreciative Inquiry' approaches.
• Using appropriate questioning and listening skills.
• Successful decision making.
• Using brainstorming and reverse brainstorming.
• Overcoming obstacles to creative thinking.
• How to evaluate options.
• How to turn ideas into action.