Unlocking Your Creative Power

In spite of years of emphasis on strategic planning and methodical approaches to problem solving, many leaders now are recognizing the value of creativity in solving problems. Creativity, often considered a process of seeing the unusual in the usual, involves 4 steps: 1. perception, 2. incubation, 3. inspiration, and 4. verification. Certain mental exercises can stimulate creative potential, and they are designed to help alter the direction of a person's thoughts by provoking ''lateral thinking.'' The 3 ways to redirect thought patterns are: 1. extracting a key feature from an idea, 2. focusing on a positive aspect of the idea, or 3. focusing on the differences between one idea and another. If initial ideas exist, other techniques of misdirected thinking include: 1. escape, 2. reversal, and 3. exaggeration. The best managers are not only creative in their approach to business, but they encourage creativity among their employees. Exercises can help overcome mental blocks that can interfere with creativity.