MBA Discussions
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CreativityTechniques.pptGroup Techniques that Inspire Creativity
Inspiring Creativity
- Creativity can be more perspiration than inspiration.
- We have to work to find creative solutions to problems.
- This means devoting time/energy to the task, not hoping for imaginative ideas to fall from the sky and clunk us on the head!
Inspiring Creativity
- Creativity is spurred by challenges.
- We are creative in response to some felt need, to some problem that requires a solution.
- The bigger the challenge, the more complex the problem, the greater is the need for creativity.
Inspiring Creativity
- Creativity flourishes in cooperative, not competitive environments.
- In a competitive atmosphere, thinking may be used to plan, strategize, and coerce rather than to problem solve and collaborate.
Inspiring Creativity
- Creativity requires sound ideas not just imaginative ones.
- Creative ideas must be more than uncommon, they must be uncommonly good.
- Beware of mind locks.
- assumptions about how people should be which closes off the ability to think creatively
- 1. “The right answer.” 6. “To err is wrong.”
- 2. “That’s not logical.” 7. “Play is frivolous.”
- 3. “Follow the rules.” 8. “That’s not my area.”
- 4. “Be practical.” 9. “Don’t be foolish.”
- 5. “Avoid ambiguity.” 10. “I’m not creative.”
Inspiring Creativity
- Creativity requires many ideas.
- The best way to have a good idea is to have a lot of ideas.
- Although sheer quantity doesn’t guarantee great solutions, the fewer the ideas, the less probable is the discovery of at least one good idea.
Inspiring Creativity
- Creativity requires breaking mindsets and thinking “outside the box.”
- Unless we try adopting different ways of approaching problems, we will remain stuck in place.
- Great ideas usually entail some risk – first to express the idea, then to make it happen.
- Encourage playfulness – make it “ok” to use the imagination
- Agree not to judge people or ideas – let it roll.
- nothing turns off imagination like criticism or judgment
- Break down barriers – don’t “close” on ideas too fast
Generating Ideas
- Brainstorming
- Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
- Delphi Technique
- Affinity Technique
Brainstorming
- Purpose - to stimulate people to develop alternatives during the planning and decision-making process.
- Used to acquire a large number of possible creative solutions.
Brainstorming
Ground Rules (if you don’t stick to the rules, brainstorming may not work!)
1. No one may evaluate or criticize the ideas of others – all criticism is forbidden.
2. Be free-wheeling in creating ideas – wild, offbeat ideas are encouraged.
3. Produce as many ideas as possible
4. “Hitchhike” (take another person’s idea and expand on it)
Brainstorming
Potential Advantages
Reduces dependence on a single authority figure
• Encourages the open sharing of ideas
• Stimulates participation among group members
• Provides individual safety in a competitive group
• Maximizes output for a short period of time
• Ensures a non-evaluative climate
• Tends to be enjoyable and stimulating
Brainstorming
Potential Disadvantages
• Lack of closure (only generates a list of
unevaluated ideas, not a plan or a solution)
• May cause dissatisfaction among participants
• Even in a relaxed atmosphere, presence of
group members may inhibit creativity among
some participants
Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
Purpose
Generate a large number of creative potential
solutions to a problem, evaluate these
solutions, and rank them from most to least
promising
Materials Needed: Easel w/paper, Power Dots (three small sticky dots for each participant – numbered 1, 2, 3)
Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
Potential Advantages
• Generates many high quality ideas
• Low quality ideas eliminated during vote
• Feelings of accomplishment and commitment
to both the process and the solution
• Participation is balanced across members
Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
More Potential Advantages
• Influence of individuals is balanced
• Produces more creative ideas than do
traditional interacting groups
• Produces more ideas than do traditional
interacting groups
Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
More Potential Advantages
• Participants are more satisfied than are
participants of interacting groups
• Conforming influence is minimized
• Leads to greater confrontation of issues on a
problem-solving (not personal) basis
Nominal Group Technique (NGT)
Potential Disadvantages
• Requires advanced planning
• Takes time to implement
• High level of structure can reduce feelings of
involvement and direct interaction
• Only succeeds if all members abide by the rules
NGT: A 4-Step Process
Silent generation of ideas in writing
facilitator states topic, each person takes a moment to write down their own ideas
2. Round-robin recording of ideas
facilitator goes around the room and asks each person to state one idea
the idea is listed on easel paper
ideas can be added after everyone has contributed
no comments are allowed during this step, only listing ideas
NGT: A 4-Step Process
3. Serial discussion of ideas
start at the top of the list, impose a time limit for each topic—free discussion can occur by anyone within the allotted time—then move on to the next topic until each idea has been discussed
NGT: A 4-Step Process
4. Ranking of ideas
participants use power dots to vote and prioritize their favorite ideas
the easel can be turned around for “anonymity”
the “3” dot holds the most votes with “1” the least
add up the votes; the topic with the most votes can be used to set up an entire meeting on the topic or it may even be the final decision on an agenda item
Delphi Technique
Purpose
The Delphi Technique gathers and evaluates information from a group without physically assembling its members.
It’s a great way to generate ideas before a physical
meeting occurs and thus saves time.
Delphi Technique
Five Steps
- Develop the Delphi question and the first inquiry
- Collect first response via email or interoffice mail
- Analyze first response, provide feedback, and
develop second inquiry
- Collect second response
- Continue process until a clear solution emerges or until you have enough ideas generated for a physical meeting
Delphi Technique
Advantages
- Provides a written record of ideas suggested
- Helps group members prepare for upcoming meeting
- Group does not have to meet face-to-face
Disadvantages
- No synergy created by hearing ideas of others
- Minimizes opportunities for elaborating on ideas
- Group members may be suspicious that someone has manipulated the results
Affinity Technique
- A method for sorting through and organizing ideas that a group may generate
- Similar to NGT, but instead of listing ideas on paper, group members write ideas on Post-It notes.
- A way to make brainstorming sessions more fun and let people move around during a meeting
Affinity Technique
The group is assigned an issue or problem.
Group members write one idea per Post-It note.
Notes can be placed on a chalkboard or other smooth surface.
Facilitator reviews ideas and groups them into categories.
After the categories are created, the group can combine ideas to develop possible solutions.
Affinity Technique
Advantages
- Builds acceptance
- Provides interaction and acceptance of ideas
- Preserves a written record of ideas presented
Disadvantages
- Need Post-it notes
- Takes more time than other techniques
- A skilled facilitator must orchestrate the technique
Reference
- Beebe, S. & Masterson, J. (2017). Communicating in small groups: Principles and practices. (11th ed.) Boston: Pearson.
