Are you the sort of leader that feels that they are too busy to be creative, or don't believe they are creative or so logical that any idea is immediately shot down with reasons why it will not work? If so, this article is for you.

Here are ten things you can do today, to help you be more creative. This is the real you - the one that at aged 4 created a whole imaginery world.

1. Note down things that "bug" you and seek ideas to fix them. Most success stories usually stem from an idea that solves a problem.
2. See that problem as an opportunity. Be positive about problems and that solutions will be found.
3. Identify the Assumptions - remember the word:
   ASS-U-ME is three words! Challenge assumptions, they may be wrong and the reason you are having problems.
4. Use Edward De Bono's Seven Thinking Hats approach when looking at problems - do not use black hat thinking all the time.
5. Develop and adapt ideas from multiple sources - other people and organisations - seek freshness by going to other places and companies to see what you can learn
6. Be aware that opportunities often present themselves by chance - Carpe Dium - sieve the day.
7. Allow for ambiguity and uncertainty to foster solutions to emerge. Be patient and suspend the critical/judgemental (Black Hat) thinking
8. Stimulate creativity by being curious about your world. Explore it, travel, watch, listen, talk, read and then record ideas - review these against your bug list.
9. Make connections between different thoughts, arguments, irrelevant or strange. Turn them upside down how woule they look?
10. Become aware of your thinking and what you say and think differently. Here are common phrases that kill ideas:

• Yes, but…
• We’ve tried it before…
• That won’t work because…
• Have you thought about the implications…
• We don’t have time for this right now…
• Put-it down on paper…
• Haven’t you got something better to do…?
• What planet are you on…?
• When you’re in charge we’ll do it your way…
• That’s fine in theory, but it doesn’t work like that…
• Do me a report (or deck) on that…
• We haven’t the budget for it…
• Let me play devil's advocate...
  

A lot of the obstacles to creativity are about our own thinking. We become conditioned as children and adults that it is "play" and not serious. Yet, the challenges we face in organisations require huge amounts of creativity, so leaders must get past their fear, rules and regulations and negativity to the strange, thereby giving permission to themselves and others to be creative.

If completely stuck, go as a young person what they would do (Microsoft leaders have to have a mentor that is under the age of 20 - so they can keep their thinking fresh).

Or maybe give us a call (01825 712373) or email and see how we could help!