Creating Ideas is the best fun in the world

January 31st, 2008 · No Comments

Well almost!

I am amazed sometimes when I work in large companies how seriously management teams take their idea generation efforts. They earnestly discuss, argue, analyse and present piles and piles of information. It seems as though they are conducting a debate which might be more at home in Ancient Greek times but not in the 21st century where ideas create value not defending fixed positions.

My radical suggestion to anyone involved in business is to relax and enjoy yourself. The outcome of any brainstorming ytpe session is serious but the creative process is not. When you enjoy yourself two things happen: your rational, judging mind becomes quiet and you start to ‘play’ with new ideas, products and perspectives. It also means that you and your other group members create a safer environment in which to challenge existing mindsets or break-free of long held beliefs.

I once worked with a large bank and i thought the strategy session that i was facilitating was on the verge of a tremendous new direction when the leader stopped the session and wanted to know why i was allowing so much laughter in the room. What did you want me to do i asked? Curtail it was his reply. When I explained why i thought that was a bad idea he insisted. I left it to him to tell the group. As expected, all the creative energy was immediatly sucked from the room.

My message? Have checks and balances but the creative process is emergant, messy and often the most fun you can have at work.