Creative problem-solving

Successful people in all walks of life are not only intelligent, talented, motivated and hard-working. They rise to prominence because, in addition to possessing these traits, they have one other crucial skill that sets them apart. They are able to analyse problems, assess alternatives and implement innovative solutions with apparent ease and consistent proficiency.

Nothing obstructs creative problem-solving quite as irritatingly as ego interjection.

Jill Hamlyn, MD of The People Business

Are these successful people uniquely and exclusively gifted, or can we all learn to solve problems in a creative and effective way?

The good news is that we definitely all have the potential to emulate their accomplishments! And this is how it can be done.

Conventional problem-solving invariably encompasses three steps: define the problem, determine the causes and choose the best solution. In almost every instance, the favoured approach is to apply logic and analytical skills to all three steps. This works well for defining the problem and determining the causes but can prove to be severely restrictive when it comes to exploring solutions.

The inevitable outcome of being too logical at this stage is that the only solutions that are considered are those that reside in the comfort zone of tried and tested conformity. It is of course entirely possible that these solutions will prove to be adequate. It is almost certain, however, that they will lack that measure of inspiration which distinguishes an ordinary decision from a brilliant one.

When it comes to finding solutions to business and personal problems, most of us, even those who appear to burst with confidence, tend to limit our creative potential because we are hesitant to seriously consider an idea which we and others may term as "silly".

Our effectiveness in discovering innovative responses to testing challenges is, however, directly dependent on our willingness to venture into that much-maligned "silly" zone. It is only when we refuse to discard unconventional, even eccentric thinking that we gain the power to conjure up ingenious solutions. Many a stroke of genius has been hidden behind the disguise of an impossibly foolish idea and few of the meaningful inventions of our times would have occurred had their inventor been more concerned with personal dignity than creativity.

Nothing obstructs creative problem-solving quite as irritatingly as ego interjection. How many times have we sat in a group or a committee where every comment has to be screened for sensitivity towards our own or someone else`s ego?

By allowing vanity, fear of offences (given or taken), office politics and plain arrogance to take precedence, we are most surely suppressing any chance of arriving at exceptional solutions.

Fortunately there are a number of tried (but definitely not tired) and tested problem-solving tools which promote creative thinking. All of these tools are unique in terms of their methodology but they have the common purpose of liberating the mind by removing the restrictive yokes of logical thought and ego interjection.

These tools include the following: Edward de Bono`s 6 Thinking Hats, Tony Buzan`s Mind Mapping, The Ishikawa Diagram Technique and Edward De Bono`s PO Method.

It is not too dramatic to claim that once proficient in the art of creative thinking and problem-solving, you will discover a whole new way of life as a veritable Pandora`s box of thoughts and talents are almost miraculously revealed. These are some of the benefits that you will reap:

• .         Significantly enhanced productivity as the generation of better ideas leads to more effective action.
• .         Problems will no longer be perceived as daunting or insurmountable hurdles but rather as genuine opportunities to progress organisational, career and personal objectives.
• .         The ability to convincingly manage and benefit from high-pressure situations which, while they have the potential to be destructive, nearly always bring out the best in people.

SA is perceived by many to be the creative heart of the world. The radical changes occurring in our country are presenting huge opportunities to those who prove to be unafraid of applying revolutionary and innovative solutions to new challenges. Those who remain stuck in the quicksand of conventional and traditional thinking may in all likelihood be in for a traumatic time.

Finally, it cannot be stressed emphatically enough that creative problem management is not exclusively a business function. Your ability to constructively respond to difficult and demanding domestic issues will have a hugely positive bearing on your life and will play a leading role in helping you reach self-fulfilment.