On Imagination
On Imagination
If there is one thing I evangelize to my mentorees, coaches and team, it is this: break the habit of looking at things the same old way. And don’t be afraid, it’s really OK.
Throughout my career, I’ve been known as an ideas person. Whether it was developing a new customer engagement program, building best practices for partnering at events or – true story – eliminating my own job through business process redesign, I have actively sought out new ways of doing things.
Think you don’t have imagination?
Do you remember games you played and beliefs you held as a child? Still think you don’t have imagination?
“Imagination is more important than knowledge.” – Albert Einstein.
There are several quotes from Einstein extolling this virtue. It is the bold dreamers who push aside a linear path of progress for an evolutionary leap; they redefine the game and chalk out an entirely new path.
What does it take to use imagination?
Today’s frantic pace with its multitude of devices and demands on our attention do not create the best environment for white space thinking.
A different area of our brain is activated for creativity than workaday problem solving. This is why many questions that have stumped you are suddenly answered when you are not actually (consciously) thinking of them.
That’s the key: access the part of your brain that is able to freely associate, connect the dots so the blank canvas is not blank, allowing patterns to emerge that give you a “aha” moments.
Is creativity a personal unique selling point?
You bet. Think how valuable you could be in the knowledge economy. Not everyone can or will have the same ideas as you. And …. Your work will have a new freshness and vitality; you will be energized and inspired.
How can you carve out white space?
Life is busy. But all is not lost. One does not have to retreat to a mountaintop. Start by doing what you can with what you have and where you are:
- Create some white space in your life: a quiet area in your home or office or a favorite coffee shop
- Dedicate half a day every week to out-of-the-box thinking; schedule it into your calendar and be disciplined to keep this commitment
- Create a feedback loop that keeps you grounded yet allows freedom to roam: discuss the issue you are working on with others; their comments will add color to your perspective. Build this into a development cycle
- Track your ideas and their implementation; this is both your portfolio and your springboard for more ideas
- Inspire others to do the same; create a culture of creativity and brainstorming
What if colleagues or employers are disparaging?
There are always naysayers. Change is hard; many people are frightened or threatened by it. It is best to acknowledge this up front and be prepared for it.
Imagination, that radical shift, must first flow of its own accord, but then – phase 2 - come with a sales pitch and a practical implementation plan. I have been known to build “internal marketing” documents, to help my internal stakeholders pitch to their stakeholders. This takes some of the sting out, and also shows forethought.
Anticipate questions and concerns; be one step ahead.
Not every idea will be accepted. Don’t be discouraged. Don’t shut down the idea factory. Sometimes a concept is ahead of its time. Sometimes it needs a different environment entirely. Sometimes, well maybe it just wasn’t that great to begin with. But if you generate several ideas, a few will be duds. That's just the law of probability. Don’t let it get you down.
So what are you waiting for?