How do you foster creativity in your consulting frameworks?

1 Use divergent and convergent thinking

One way to enhance your creativity is to use divergent and convergent thinking, which are two complementary modes of thinking that can help you explore and refine your ideas. Divergent thinking is the process of generating many possible solutions, without judging or filtering them. Convergent thinking is the process of evaluating, selecting, and improving the best solutions, based on criteria and logic. To use these modes effectively, you need to switch between them at different stages of your framework development. For example, you can use divergent thinking to brainstorm potential issues, hypotheses, and data sources, and then use convergent thinking to prioritize, test, and validate them.

2 Seek inspiration from diverse sources

Another way to foster creativity is to seek inspiration from diverse sources, such as other industries, disciplines, cultures, or perspectives. By exposing yourself to different ideas, concepts, and experiences, you can stimulate your imagination, challenge your assumptions, and discover new connections and patterns. To seek inspiration from diverse sources, you can do some research, read books or articles, watch videos or podcasts, attend events or workshops, or talk to experts or peers from different backgrounds or fields. You can also use analogies, metaphors, or stories to relate your problem to a different context or scenario.

3 Experiment with different frameworks

A third way to foster creativity is to experiment with different frameworks, which are the tools and methods you use to structure and solve business problems. Frameworks can help you organize your thoughts, break down complex issues, and communicate your findings. However, frameworks are not fixed or universal; they can be adapted, modified, or combined to suit different situations and objectives. To experiment with different frameworks, you can try using different types of frameworks, such as issue trees, hypothesis-driven approaches, matrices, or diagrams. You can also mix and match elements from different frameworks, such as criteria, variables, dimensions, or categories.

4 Solicit and incorporate feedback

A fourth way to foster creativity is to solicit and incorporate feedback, which is the process of obtaining and applying input from others to improve your ideas and solutions. Feedback can help you identify gaps, errors, or inconsistencies in your framework, as well as opportunities, strengths, or improvements. Feedback can also expose you to different viewpoints, opinions, or suggestions that can enrich your perspective and spark new ideas. To solicit and incorporate feedback, you can ask for feedback from your team members, mentors, clients, or stakeholders, using specific questions or criteria. You can also give feedback to others, as this can help you sharpen your own thinking and creativity.

5 Practice and reflect

A fifth way to foster creativity is to practice and reflect, which are the activities of applying and evaluating your skills and knowledge. Practice is the act of using your creativity to solve real or simulated problems, using frameworks or other tools. Practice can help you develop your confidence, competence, and fluency in using your creativity, as well as your ability to adapt to different situations and challenges. Reflection is the act of reviewing and analyzing your performance, outcomes, and learnings, using feedback or self-assessment. Reflection can help you identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your areas for improvement and growth. To practice and reflect, you can use case studies, exercises, or projects, as well as journals, logs, or portfolios.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?