What are the most effective techniques for exploring new creative territory?

Thinking outside the box is really difficult, especially for minds that are perfectly comfortable existing in a world they understanding. Thinking outside the box is a real challenge and takes effort. So one of the ways to trick your mind into thinking differently is to involve yourself in activities and thought processes that have nothing to do with the problem at hand. Engage in non-direct activities that get the mind thinking about other things, and then start exploring the "what if". Trying to solve a finance problem? Give cooking a go. And then think, hmm, what if my problem was one of these ingredients? To make this recipe work, I have to do this to the ingredient. Is there something similar I can do with my problem?

Invoke the spirit of celebrated creators, such as Leonardo da Vinci to guide you in your creative process. To invoke this energy, you need a practice which enables you to still your mind so you can take in the energy of your evocation.

Start by exploring the author's personal interests. What causes or issues do they care about? Explore cultural phenomena that may not seem initially connected to the topic at hand. You'll tap into a source of motivation that can drive creativity. Seek connections between seemingly unrelated concepts or industries. Encourage the author to draw parallels between their unique experiences and the broader landscape of the business topic. This approach leads to fresh perspectives and innovative insights. Encourage the author to share personal stories, challenges, and learnings. Help them to question assumptions and challenge conventional wisdom. Authenticity resonates and opens the door to exploring unconventional and thought-provoking topics.

It has been my experience over the years to always ask your customer for their viewpoint on an issue, a technology or a solution they currently are chasing. After listening to their thoughts, then proceed to ask many questions that are challenging but elicit in depth answers. Yes and no answers provide nothing other than a confirmation. If you can get the Customer to think creatively and make suggestions through your questions, often times you can get the Customer to consider new perspectives and embracing help from you and your team. This is how you build trust and advocate for the Customer at the same time.

Ditch the tunnel vision! Flip your world upside down, literally or metaphorically. Try painting with your non-dominant hand, writing from a character's opposite point of view, or brainstorming while upside down (safely, of course!). New angles breed new ideas.

To foster innovation, it is crucial to constantly question the status quo and challenge existing assumptions within your field. One notable example that exemplifies this mindset is Netflix. Initially established as a DVD rental service, they daringly contested the prevailing assumption that physical rentals were the sole means of movie distribution. By embracing the emerging technology of streaming, Netflix not only managed to stay relevant in the ever-evolving entertainment industry and emerged as a dominant force. This exemplifies their unwavering commitment to reassessing and adapting their business model in response to changing technology and evolving consumer preferences.

To broaden your creative horizons, challenge assumptions and beliefs, a concept central to my dissertation on questioning business "sacred cows." This refers to assumptions that are not allowed to be questioned but from a standpoint of thought leadership should always be questioned: Ask "why" to delve into the motivations behind any choices, unraveling root causes. Employ the "what if" technique to generate alternative scenarios and hypotheses. For instance, in blog writing, question why you chose a specific topic, tone, or format, exploring the transformative possibilities if you were to alter them. This approach aligns with the thought leadership perspective of daring to question established norms and fostering innovative thinking.

Ask "whys" behind the typical decisions and invite different resources and methods. accepting the conflict between differing viewpoints and working with those whose opinions diverge from our own. When constraints materialise, consider them as springboards for creative ingenuity rather than as barriers. One can open the door to new creative expressions by challenging preconceptions and appreciating limitations.

The world changes, markets change, people change … so a great first step to exploring the creative horizon is to look through a new set of eyes … see things in a new way … approach the topic from a new perspective. My younger self didn’t understand this reality, but we often hear the phrase “what was old is new again”. Some might say that fits for fashion or vintage items … I contend it fits in pretty much every part of life from what I’ve experienced so far. The key is to train your mind to not let past beliefs get in the way of what might be a new opportunity. Challenge yourself and others to see what’s new for you.

One must constantly challenge and adapt their assumptions and caveats to suit the changing dynamics. Think about ad giant WPP's origin as a paper basket company or Netflix's origins as a DVD rental service. Unless they challenged what they had assumed about their business models, they would not have had a chance to delve into newer business models. Similarly, the assumption that machines can at best learn repetitive high volume tasks had to be challenged to unearth that they can cognitively think and generate.

Exploring unconventional sources of inspiration can ignite creative breakthroughs. Nike, for instance, embraces influences from diverse fields such as automotive design, architecture, and nature to drive innovation in their product designs. This cross-industry inspiration has resulted in groundbreaking products like the Nike Air shoes, which draw inspiration from the inside-out architecture of the Paris Centre Pompidou. By tapping into a wide range of sources, Nike fosters the creation of unique and innovative products.

One of the best "secret recipes" for stimulating creativity is passive immersion. Many things can be learned through repetition or diligent study, but the excitement that is typically required to be successful in a new creative endeavor is almost always best served by taking the time to peacefully enjoy the new creative medium.

Stimulating creativity requires a space for inspiration to take place. Wherever you work, try following these 3 basic tips: 1. Embrace the mess, but be organised. Meaning, have everything you need but don't worry too much about being tidy. A study was conducted to find out the effect of messy spaces, and it found that mess is more beneficial to the way we think than order, attributing clutter to an increase in creative ideas. 2. Add personal objects that make you feel something. This can include books, plants, pictures, or sentimental memorabilia. 3. Finally, make privacy your priority. Invest in a comfortable setup-if this means getting noise cancelling headphones because you cant lock yourself away, then consider doing that.

Choose your inspiration well. At times its prudent to choose a perspective that is completely opposite to what you think could be a way. For it is only then that you strike into inspiration which is different from what you've been thinking all along and help you see things in a completely unique way. Inspiration can be from books, people but also something unrelated that just triggers a thought.

Como escritora e comunicóloga, preciso desenvolver a minha criatividade todos os dias, desbloqueando ideias, inventando cenários e transformando conhecimentos. Tudo serve de inspira??o: os livros que leio, os programas audiovisuais a que assisto e, claro, a observa??o atenta da vida cotidiana que me cerca. Pessoas e acontecimentos triviais podem se transformar em inspira??es impensáveis, trazendo insumos que v?o fazer com que sejamos autênticos e nos tornemos inesquecíveis. é preciso que encaremos toda oportunidade como insight e todo lazer como aprendizado. Tudo enriquece.

In the more abstract cases of design or strategy, create thought experiments and simulate them. The process of dynamic visualisation required for it will flush out preconceptions and remove many bugs in thought. You will have a more robust structure with greater chances of success in the real world.

This is a sequential process where you ideate, experiment and if well implement. The key is to keep your mind open so that you are evermore looking for what next once your experiment has been implemented.

Cultivating a culture of experimentation and continuous iteration can pave the way for remarkable innovations. Google, renowned for its 'beta' culture, consistently explores new ideas, learns from setbacks, and iteratively evolves. Groundbreaking products such as Google Maps and Gmail are direct outcomes of this approach. This mindset fosters flexibility and adaptability, both essential in navigating the ever-changing digital landscape. It nurtures creativity and establishes an environment where novel concepts can be tested and refined, ultimately leading to progress.

In the realm of thought leadership, an essential consideration is giving yourself the freedom to experiment and make mistakes. Embracing experimentation is a pathway to innovation, allowing for the exploration of unconventional ideas. By sharing examples or stories related to overcoming setbacks and learning from failures, one can inspire others to adopt a mindset of continuous improvement. This openness to experimentation fosters an environment where creativity thrives, pushing boundaries and contributing to thought leadership in unconventional ways.

Many books have been written about this. The essence of them is the same. 1. Generate lots of ideas - don't get attached to yours 2. Suspend practicality - don't skip ahead to 'why they won't work' whilst you're busy generating ideas (it kills your creative flow) 3. Don't discount others' ideas - look for the 10% that you like and build on this (this makes for a more generative discussion and better ideas overall) 4. Once you've run out of ideas, start evaluating 5. Shortlist the most promising ones 6. Build 'Minimum Viable Products' and systematically test 7. Move fast and break things, learning as you go 9. Change one thing at a time 10. Iterate, culling options until you've got 1 left that you're going to run with

Sometimes just physically moving can be enough to overcome being mental stuck. I take 10 mins to walk fast outside, get the blood pumping around my body and to my brain. Very often, a solution comes to me as my mind wanders.

One of the biggest misconception in today's world is the need to.consistently hustle for results. This leads to people not taking a break from their routine. Taking a break should be a consistent occurrence that will help you ro become a better version of yourself.

When “stuck” on a problem the chances are you are so focussed on the task you cant see the wood for the trees. It always amazes me how taking a step away, “sleep on it” actually so often works.

Sometimes, taking a break from work and allowing your mind to wander can lead to unexpected creative insights. These 'Eureka' moments often occur when you least expect them or not actively thinking about a problem. For example, Twitter's groundbreaking concept was partly inspired during a brainstorming session with birds at a quiet park! The team, stepping away from their usual work environment, was infused with a fresh perspective, ultimately giving birth to a revolutionary social media platform that would change the digital landscape forever. So, don't underestimate the power of stepping away and gaining a new outlook on things. You never know what incredible ideas might be waiting to be discovered.

O mundo da literatura tem um mantra: "deixe o seu texto dormir". Esse ditado pode – e deve – ser aplicado a todo tipo de negócio. A gente precisa respirar, dar um tempo, esfriar a mente e, aí sim, revisitar o nosso projeto. Esse frescor vai trazer novas perspectivas e o resultado final, com toda certeza, será muito melhor.

Injecting enjoyment into your creative endeavors is a potent strategy. Incorporate humor, playfulness, or novelty into your projects. Acknowledge achievements and celebrate progress to create a positive atmosphere. Having fun not only enhances your work experience but also empowers you to tackle challenges and unlock your full potential. In presentations, consider employing jokes, games, or surprise elements to captivate your audience, transforming your thought leadership into an engaging and memorable experience.

Design thinking is a fun way to relook at an issue. Using different design principles without limitations and to just find joy in seeing how a problem unfolds as you iterate through different options will help unlock new solutions

Another consideration that doesn’t quite fit in the other topics above is to “follow the little voice in your head” when your interest is piqued. A bunch of years ago, I was approached by a manager to join her in a journey to work in a newly formed team working on a new initiative focused on helping farmers adopt conservation tillage practices. While flattered at being asked, I had no idea whether I was qualified to do the job. But I was curious and had spent time representing my team as a no-till lead coordinating statewide field events, chaired conferences, and established reduced tillage field demos on cover crops, mitigating soil runoff and keeping more rainwater in the field. This adventure changed me…let yourself explore.

A methodical approach to crystalise 'madness': {1} Opening/re-opening one's mind to be receptive of ALL the ideas, thoughts (others'/own) that flow in from all sources & directions. Developing, maintaining kid-like curiosity & playfulness, free of inhibitions. {2} Focusing laser-sharp on the Creative core. Eliminating/ignoring the distractions/distortions. {3} 'Capturing'-refining the Creative output with urgency-sense (before it slips away/gets cluttered or diluted). {4} Bouncing it off a trusted confidant or two. {5} Seeing a bigger, long-term context and after incorporating other stakeholders' perspective, releasing the Creative ??, sharing it openly with enthusiasm. ——————————————

Another strategy I often take to create something different or unexpected is to give myself permission to break my own (and others’) perceptions of the norm. For example, if I want to write nonfiction or fiction about purpose and creative paths, I interview myself. Honest answers lead me to understand my “why” and “what’s next.” To expand my list of ideas , I play the career/job/project version of the word association game. To gain a true vision and grasp of my passions and future projects, I write down dreams that I remember. They may seem silly or nonsensical at the time, but reading them periodically enables me to see patterns. Above all, I am kind to myself.

Considering the options presented, I would propose that being aware of what the problem statement is, understanding who you're solutioning for and the culture of the environment within which the problem originates from, should ultimately define the approach you use. All the options are sound, valid and valuable options and so choosing the one that suits the moment, or using a combination of them as required is key. The true skill is knowing which to use and to be proficient in all of them

In the dynamic landscape of thought leadership, consider the transformative power of interdisciplinary insights. Break free from silos and explore connections across diverse fields. For instance, drawing inspiration from psychology, technology, or even nature can yield innovative perspectives. This interdisciplinary approach enriches thought leadership, opening avenues for unique solutions and pushing boundaries. Additionally, fostering collaboration among thought leaders from different domains cultivates a rich tapestry of ideas, enhancing the collective impact on industries and society at large.