Have a more creative and connected approach to problem solving

Being creative isn’t just about generating ideas; it’s about solving problems and transforming ideas and actions into unique, real, and valuable solutions - something useful and beautiful. But problems come in all forms, and it’s useful to apply distinct types of attention to fit the shape, size, and complexity of the problem at hand.

This is where thinking skills come in. If you’re getting stuck and going round in circles, a lateral, out-of-the-box thinking style would be a suitable option. If you’re being overly opinionated on any subject, you could perhaps benefit from some directed thinking to help you look at the problem from different angles. If you’re having trouble coming up with fresh ideas, then you might need some tools to help with idea generation. Each approach calls for a specific type of thinking, and these can be mastered with practice.

Creative problem solving is rarely easy, but here are some tips to get you started.

1. Separate out your thinking. Use divergent thinking to generate ideas and explore possibilities and convergent thinking to help you chose the best solution.

2. Tap into and manage emotions wisely. Both yours and of those around you. Positive emotions broaden your focus and allow space for flexibility and the consideration of alternatives.

3. Practice humility. There is always something to learn from others. And this opens the doors of possibility by initiating novel connections.

4. Embrace ambiguity. This helps build your resilience and agility and allows you to move fast and change swiftly to harness opportunity from change.

5. Reframe your problems and become future-focused. Make sure you are solving the problems of tomorrow, not the ones of yesterday.

6. Suspend judgement and adopt a beginner’s frame of mind. See old problems afresh.

7. Practice lateral thinking techniques to master interconnectivity and holistic systems thinking.

Alex Pearson is an entrepreneur and trainer at The Yurt Academy, and lecturer at the University of Sussex Business School. She rain a Bite-sized Learning session for Brighton Chamber in July: Shifting to a more creative and connected approach to problem solving. 

For more learning events from Brighton Chamber, head over to our events calendar.

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk