E-tip No. 57 – Nobody has the monopoly on creativity

A friend recently sent me an article about research conducted into a creative idea called Knowledge Bridging. It involved a creative partnership between Bose, the acoustic specialists and a Car manufacturer and in the process they created a new type of suspension, based on electro-magnetic technology as opposed to traditional hydraulic shock absorbers. It started with a connection made by 2 people.

To this, I would also include internal knowledge bridging – connecting people from different silos in an organisation to create new knowledge, ideas and approaches.

You see, it’s so easy to see just our immediate work area and forget about other possibilities, a bigger picture. We may think:
· I’m not a creative person
· It’s not my job to be creative – that’s the job of marketing or R&D
· If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?
· I don’t have the time to be creative
· Nobody listens to my suggestions

You have two choices – you can either have change happen to you, or you can make change happen to your benefit. Which would you prefer?

You see, everyone has something to contribute – even those with opposing views and it’s worth seeking these people out, as you never know when and where creativity sparks.
When was the last time you had a brilliant idea whilst sitting somewhere on your own? When a group of you came up with a brilliant solution?

Today’s experiment
· Just for a day, take on the belief that everyone has something to offer and seek out different views, ideas, knowledge, knowing that you don’t have to take anything on
· Share your thoughts and ideas and listen to others in an open and non-judgemental way
· Be open to the ‘how’ of it
· Follow your intuition
· ‘Hold’ ideas without censorship or criticism. Let them ‘cook’

If you need some help as a team to create new knowledge and ideas; to be a knowledge bridger, feel free to call me to discuss.

Anthony
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