As we rise out of recession and into a new wave of growth, the buzzword I keep hearing on everyone’s lips is “innovation.” Today’s leaders and managers are constantly being challenged to bring new ideas to the table, create ground-breaking solutions, invent new business models and foster a culture of innovation. But as Albert Einstein so eloquently put it, "No problem can be solved from the same consciousness that created it." In this presentation I share 5 simple techniques that can help you disrupt your routine consciousness and thinking, and foster “associational thinking” which is the ability to make surprising connections across seemingly unrelated areas of knowledge and experience. By making new connections, you encourage the brain paths to form fresh ideas. These 5 techniques can also be applied in team meetings, brainstorming sessions and problem solving workshops.

2. with
gabriella goddard
executive coach & leadership development
be a creative spark
for innovation

3. being a creative spark
“Everyone has huge creative capacities. The challenge is to
develop them. A culture of creativity has to involve
everybody, not just a select few.”
~ Sir Ken Robinson ~

4. the creative challenge
“No problem can be solved
from the same
consciousness that created
it.”
(Albert Einstein)

5. linear thinking

6. associational thinking

7. creativity is just connecting things
“When you ask creative people
how they did something, they
feel a little guilty because they
didn’t really do much, they
just saw something. It seemed
obvious to them after a while.
That’s because they were able
to connect experiences they’ve
had and synthesise new
things.” (Steve Jobs)

8. associational thinking
“Associating” is the ability to
make surprising connections
across seemingly unrelated
areas of knowledge and
experience
Innovators actively build the
breadth and depth of their
connection points by:
• asking curious
questions
• looking for anomalies
• testing things out
• having diverse interests
• consciously disrupting
their routine thinking

9. disrupting your routine thinking
metaphors
random words
probing questions
actions
quotes
“The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in
escaping from the old ones.”
~ John Maynard Keynes ~

10. brainsparker app

11. metaphors

12. metaphors

13. metaphors
Imagine your challenge was a…
object
picture
sports game
movie or book
persona
song or poem
hobby
…what new insights does this spark?

14. using metaphors
Group Question:
How can leaders in
today’s organisations
foster a culture of
creativity?
…what new insights does this spark?

15. random words

16. random words
Randomly pick a word from a…
dictionary
magazine
book
instruction manual
product or package
street sign or billboard
web page
…what new insights does this spark?

17. using random words
Group Question:
How could you
dramatically boost your
own creativity over the
next 6 months?
…what new insights does this spark?

18. probing questions

19. probing questions
Ask a question that is…
open ended
curious
short & impactful
probes below the surface
disruptive
poses a different perspective
…what new insights does this spark?

20. using probing questions
Group Question:
Think of a specific
personal challenge or
issue you are facing that
is really bothering you.
…what new insights does this spark?

21. activities

22. activities
Take a break from thinking and
do something that is…
practical
physical
uncomplicated
interacts with others
gives your mind a break
…what new insights does this spark?

23. using activities
Group Question:
Think of a work or
project challenge or
problem you really want
to solve.
…what new insights does this spark?

24. inspiring quotes

25. inspiring quotes
Pick a quote that makes you…
think
question
reflect
be inspired
…what new insights does this spark?

26. using inspiring quotes
Group Question:
How can leaders in
today’s organisations
foster a culture of
creativity?
…what new insights does this spark?

27. fueling your creativity spark
“Everything is raw material.
Everything is relevant. Everything is
usable. Everything feeds into my
creativity. But without proper
preparation, I cannot see it, retain it,
and use it.”
(Twyla Tharp)

28. being a creative spark for others
encourage
question
challenge
stimulate
disrupt
believe
trust
feedback
support
inspire
be a role model!

29. with
gabriella goddard
executive coach & leadership development
thank you!
www.ingenuityinside.com
www.brainsparkerapp.com