Whenever you seek more than just the bare necessities, use Creative Strategy.

We all have a preferred thinking style – some of us are dreamers, while others are realists or critics. This can prevent us seeing an issue from other angles. Walt Disney’s Brainstorming Method uses all three of these thinking styles to help view a situation from different perspectives and find the best way forward.

Problem solving, decision-making and planning suffer when we have too narrow a focus, yet it can be difficult to change how we naturally approach issues. This creativity strategy includes three styles together to help individuals and teams identify project goals, clear paths, and avoid risks and improve decision-making.

·???????The Dreamer is focused on potential and possibilities.

·???????The Realist focuses on practical aspects and implementation.

·???????The Critic questions, challenges plans & assumptions, noticing potential problems or flaws.

Using the Disney Brainstorming Method

1.???Select an issue you want to address but put it aside while you get into the right frame of mind.

2.???Go to three entirely different places or simply different parts of one room, to think about the issue from each perspective (associate each environment with that approach).

3.???For each way of thinking (starting with dreamer, moving to realistic and then to critic), first remember a time when you were either creative, realistic or critical. This will help you access that style and apply it to the current situation.

4.???In each frame of mind, address the issue at hand solely from that perspective. This will let you get the most out of each perspective, revealing more options and ideas.

o??In the dreamer space, let your ideas flow freely.

o??In the realist space, think about how the ideas you’ve created can be implemented. How can they be achieved? What needs to happen?

o??In the critic space, question and challenge your ideas and plan. Identify strengths and weaknesses; look for flaws; look for gaps or potential problems. Determine what needs to be done better.

5.???Once you have completed these four stages, go back to the beginning and re-evaluate your original dream and plan through each thinking stage in turn. You can repeat this process until you feel the plan works well from each perspective.

ASK YOURSELF THESE QUESTIONS AT EACH STAGE:?

If you’re a Dreamer, Ask Yourself!

? Why am I doing this?

? Can it be done better?

? What would I like to happen?

? Wouldn’t it be great if …?

? What reward or result would I like?

If you’re a Realist, Ask Yourself!

? How can I make that happen?

? Who else do I need to make it work?

? What needs to happen – and when?

? What resources do I need?

? How much will it cost?

If you’re a Critic, Ask Yourself!

? Does the idea really have potential?

? Is the objective achievable?

? Are there any barriers or resource issues?

? Does the plan work? Consider issues such as timing, cost or market potential.

? How can the plan be improved – are there gaps or are some things unnecessary?

If you want to be successful in the creative process, you need to have a mix of 3 things: the ability to dream big; the ability to be pragmatic; and the ability to be critical of what is produced. Thus, you need all three roles filled for true, meaningful creativity.

Creativity as a total process involves the coordination of these three sub-processes: dreamer, realist, and critic. A dreamer without a realist cannot turn ideas into tangible expressions. A critic and a dreamer without a realist just become stuck in perpetual conflict. The dreamer and a realist might create things, but they might not achieve a high degree of quality without a critic. The critic helps to evaluate and refine the products of creativity.

The Disney Creativity Strategy is an excellent technique to do on your own. It’s also a great in coaching or in team development and exploring ideas using three different thinking stages.