Staying competitive and sustaining success in today’s business environment requires thinking “outside the box”. Patented technologies, improved bottom line, streamlined processes, and market leadership are some of the compelling reasons for unleashing creativity in the workplace. Acquiring skills that help develop creative potential require strategies that are an interplay of art and science. The art is about intuitive wisdom —believing that you and your team have the intuitive ability for creative thinking and giving your mind time to synthesize unconventional, breakthrough solutions through deep, exploratory thinking. The science is about effectively implementing the tools and techniques to spark ideas.

Here are seven ways to ignite and foster creative thinking in the workplace:

1. Hang a large piece of paper on your office door; at the top, write a question or issue that requires a solution. Invite everyone to freely share thoughts and ideas.

2. Show a stand-up comedy video before every creative session.
Laughter stimulates free thinking. You can also read a book of jokes for a few minutes to break the ice before meetings. Randall Osborne, professor of psychology at Indiana University, cites evidence that developing a respect for humor in the workplace has brought amazing results in large corporations such as Kodak, where it was learned that humor and creativity went hand in hand. Kodak has developed a “humor room” where employees can escape the pressures of their work. (more…)