‘Define what you want ideas for, choose the right people for the task and use a bouquet of tools’
Why do managers sometimes find it difficult to think differently? Why are ideation sessions not as productive as managers would like them to be? Why do leaders kill ideas when their support is most required? Innovation facilitator, consultant and coach R. Sridhar answers these questions in his new book Unlock The Real Power Of Ideation. In an interview, Sridhar, who was earlier chairman of Ogilvy One and on the board Ogilvy in India, talks about how to generate innovative ideas. Edited excerpts:
What are the keys to open the chest of valuable ideas?
1. Key No.1: The Master Key. Define what you want ideas for. This is the most critical key. If you use it, it will make using the other keys easy. Besides, you will get access to everything in the chest.
2. Key No. 2 : The Brains Key. Choose the right people for the task. This key will help you get the best of what you are looking for.
3. Key No. 3 : The Design Key. It is a robust process for divergent and convergent thinking. Using this key requires patience. If you do it right, your diligence will pay rich dividends.
4. Key No. 4: The Wizard Key. Use a bouquet of tools and techniques. This is the divergent key and helps you explore anything and everything.
5. Key No. 5: The Smart Key. Use a smart selection process. This key helps you focus on what will be most useful or effective for you.
6. Key No. 6: The MOT (Moment of Truth) Key. Committing money, resources and time. This key shows you how to make the right choice for action.
7. Key No. 7: The Action Key. Making things happen. If you used the first six keys, got some great treasure, but did not do anything, you lose everything you have got.
Are there any practical ways of generating ideas to thaw any challenging situation?
Over the years our mind begins to form layers and layers of perceptions based on what we see, hear and experience.
These perceptions harden over time if they are not challenged often with fresh new perspectives. Fresh new perspectives enter only when the doors to our mind is open.
How do “creative people” do this? They seek new experiences all the time. They have a few interesting qualities:
Curiosity: Undying curiosity about life, unending quest for learning.
Experimentation: A willingness to test new knowledge through own experience. Willingness to learn from mistakes.
Using the senses: A keen sense of awareness of all the five senses. Using the senses to enliven the experience.
Acceptance: A willingness to accept ambiguity in many situations and not pushing for a cut & right, black & white answer. This shows a degree of comfort with things that are new, uncertain and sometimes fuzzy.
Facts & Feelings: Willing to see beyond facts and appreciate feelings & emotions as well. Apply logic and intuition; whole-brain thinking, without bias.
Connections: The ability makes unusual connections and find new expressions. The ability to see the same old thing in a fresh way, by connecting the dots in an unexpected manner.