I have been working with an executive recently who is extremely frustrated with his executive team. He feels like they are in the habit of coming to him with problems and asking him for solutions rather than problem-solving themselves. He said he doesn’t mind them coming to him in general, but he wants them to be more self-sufficient. He’d like for them to only come to him if they are truly stuck or absolutely need additional input. He’s tired of thinking for them.
We had a good discussion about ways to change his manager’s behavior, and I also challenged him to make sure he had not created his own problem. I asked him to review his own behavior: does he habitually correct them when they offer solutions? Doing that teaches them to come to him FIRST when faced with a problem. It does not encourage confidence or creative thinking, which is what he would like to see from his team.
Creative thinking involves reaching deep down for ideas and using a thought process that might be outside your normal comfort level. It requires a willingness to have new perspectives on your day-to-day efforts. It means being open to doing things differently. This is the kind of thinking that pushes envelopes and breaks barriers. It often involves risk.
Sometimes we have no choice; we are forced to think creatively. For so many of us, the pandemic totally upended how we live and work. And in order to keep working, lots of us had to pivot … to Zoom meetings, to working from home, to homeschooling our kids, to curbside pick-up and to contactless interactions with just about everyone. As I watched even our highest end restaurants move from indoor dining in perfectly appointed rooms to take-away or tents, I was heartened to see them so determined to move forward and survive.
Lots of us have learned new things and new ways of working that will make us better and more confident and more productive. That’s because we had to get creative, and creative thinking is the kind of thinking that makes things happen.
Pandemic or not, it’s also the kind of thinking that is a Fundamental part of doing your job well.
Creative thinking is a skill that can be learned and honed. I encourage you to keep it up! Here are some tips I’ve learned—from experience and from several successful people I know—that will help you think more creatively:
When faced with a problem, focus on the solution—not the problem. It sounds simple, but I’ve seen so many businesspeople get seriously bogged down when they spend more time talking about their problems than brainstorming viable solutions.
If you really want to think creatively, challenge yourself to come up with 10 to 20 solutions for a difficult situation or a big problem. The first three to five are relatively easy, but as you get past that, it becomes more difficult. But these next solutions on your list are the ones that really tap into your creativity. They get you thinking in a truly creative and effective way.
Ask yourself, “If money wasn’t an issue, what would I do in this situation?” Freeing yourself of financial concerns allows for free-flowing thought. This results in solutions without boundaries. Then, because we do have boundaries in real life, you can adapt the solution to fit your situation. You’ll be surprised at what you can come up with when you remove the edges of your “thinking sandbox.”
If you are having trouble finding solutions to a problem, table the thought. Take a break. Go for a walk. Sleep on it. Numerous studies have shown that your subconscious often will work things out while you’re sleeping. Look for clarity and direction over your morning cup of coffee.
Challenge others to think. Get the “collective mind” working. In James Surowiecki’s book The Wisdom of Crowds, he says that the collective mind usually is more capable than even the smartest single member of any group. Have a group brainstorming session when faced with dilemmas. Tell your folks to spend 10 or 20 minutes and come up with at least 2 or 3 solutions.
Surround yourself with people who think creatively. The old term “birds of a feather flock together” rings true. The principle of association teaches us that the more creative your environment (and people you associate with), the more creative you will become.
Read unusual content. I’ve learned that creative ideas often come from unlikely sources. Watch TED Talks, listen to audiobooks, Google articles you don’t normally read. Look for unusual tips and techniques that others are using successfully. Next, challenge yourself to apply these ideas to your situations. For instance, reading a blog targeted to executive moms gave me some great ideas on time management and delegating that I used in some of my executive coaching sessions.
Reduce your stress and anxiety. Few people think creatively while anxious. Allow yourself the ability to think creatively by producing a state of mind that promotes inspired thinking. Chill out, go exercise, try yoga, and then work on finding your solutions.
I once attended a class called Thinking Beyond the Boundaries, and I remember two statements that really resonated with me during the initial session. First, “I am open to possibilities” and second, “I am committed to action.” These two declarations will take you far. Challenge yourself to embrace them.
Finally, have fun. The more creative thinking you do, the easier it becomes and the more fun you’ll have with it.
I challenge you to push yourself to find new ways of seeing the world. Cultivate a willingness to explore. And recognize that new ideas need nurturing and support. Embrace this mindset, and challenge others to do the same thing. That’s how you’ll do what you do better.