We all have those sticky, tough problems that seem to keep returning until we deal with them. Creative problem solving is a critical skill for leaders to develop both in themselves and in their teams and employees. Tough problems persist because they aren’t easily solvable with our current way of thinking.
We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.
We need to become a different observer of the situation in order to see a problem that isn’t visible to us now. Here are some tips on how to radically change your perspective.
Separate Facts from Fiction
Question your “facts,” and you’ll discover that most of them aren’t facts at all. Fact is defined as “a thing that is known or proved to be true,” but what is known? How do you prove something? You could say that this page has words on it, but how do you prove that to a blind person? We can say “Abraham Lincoln was assassinated,” but how do we really prove it?
I’m not trying to open up a philosophical black hole, but I do want to point out that “facts” are really just well-grounded assessments. What’s important here is to learn how to ground our assessments. Here are some questions to ask yourself:*
- What does this assessment do for me? What purpose is served by it?
- Is this assessment pervasive? For example, if I think Dan is rude, is he always rude or just at work?
- By what standards am I measuring this? In other words, how rude is Dan’s behavior? Am I the only one that thinks this?
- What true facts support this assessment?
- What true facts do not support this assessment?
Get Your Body Moving
Any physical exercise will inspire creative thinking. Taking a walk, going for a run or a bike ride can often be enough to jar some creative thoughts loose. A recent study by Stanford showed that creative output can increase as much as 60% by walking. To amplify this, walk in random patterns rather than in a square or along a path. Wander aimlessly in a large open room or field.
To take it a step further and really embody creativity, dance. Put on some loud music you love and simply dance. Free-flowing, random movements will begin to loosen up your thinking.
Try the Six Hats Technique
This technique was developed by Edward de Bono to help teams and individuals with creative thinking. This is a lot of fun if you actually have the colored hats, but can work if you simply imagine them.
- Red hat – Look at the subject emotionally. What feelings arise?
- White hat – Objectively, what are the facts about the subject?
- Yellow hat – Assume a positive outlook and consider which parts of the subject work or function well?
- Black hat – Assume a negative outlook and list which parts of the subject are broken or don’t work.
- Green hat – Consider some creative alternatives to the subject or solution.
- Blue hat – Look at the overall picture. What is the best solution when you take everything into consideration?
These tips should get you on your way to creative problem-solving. Above all, remember that you need to shake things up when you’re stuck. Get outside your comfort zone and dance or walk aimlessly around a museum. You’ll notice a sense of lightness and curiosity that is highly conducive to creativity.
*Adapted from Coaching to the Human Soul volume 1, Alan Sieler
Matt McLaughlin helps conscious companies build transformational leaders and teams. He has over 20 years of experience building high-performance teams and has practiced and taught meditation for 30 years. He brings a deep passion for companies that foster social and environmental sustainability and views business as a crucial component of societal change.
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