Here's how you can gain insights by seeking diverse feedback in creative problem-solving.

There are so many reasons why you should consult with people that are different from you, from other cultures, other ethnicity, other political views etc. The idea behind it is that everyone is unique and, if you build a trusting relationship with them, they will offer you aspects that you might never think of. And you will then be able to piece all those things together and come up with the most diverse ideas that are novel and creative. Hopefully useful too!

During a team meeting for a specific client project, we faced challenges aligning our proposal and timelines with both our team's and the client's needs. Our manager prompted each team member to suggest one improvement idea, leading to a discussion on integrating new software tools. We decided to adopt agile methodologies, using JIRA for project management and Google spreadsheets for collaboration. These changes aimed to boost efficiency. By the meeting's end, we revised our proposal and revitalized our collaborative efforts. Asking for feedback openly and creating a safe space for sharing ideas is crucial for fostering innovation and teamwork.

Gaining insights through diverse feedback is integral to effective creative problem-solving. As a leadership coach, I've seen firsthand how reflecting deeply on varied perspectives can lead to innovative solutions. Start by actively seeking input from individuals with different backgrounds and expertise. Take the time to reflect on this feedback, analysing how each viewpoint sheds new light on the problem at hand. Identify common themes and unique ideas, and consider how they can be integrated into your approach. This deep reflection not only broadens your understanding but also fosters more thoughtful and effective decision-making. Embracing diversity and reflection transforms challenges into opportunities for growth and creativity.

Building relationships based on trust will help will a long way in getting honest opinions and ideas from others. These relationships cannot exist only when you need them, otherwise there won’t be trust and openess. This is a lifetime exercise, that will bring you lots of support when you need. And you will give other people the support they need too. We need other people who think differently from us to find better solutions. But they will unlikely help you if they feel this relationship is transactional.