Atlanta Creativity Exchange 2010
May 6-8, 2010
"Hooked at the Roots"
December's featured writer K.T. Connor, Ph.D.
Created Equal but Thinking Differently:
Implications for CPS'Unplugged:
Remotus Perspectus

Please visit www.atlantacreativity.org


Unique thinking patterns affect problem solving practice. Using the 6 Step Osborn-Parnes PS model, we find different thinking patterns treat the CPS process differently.

In my work we measure three kinds of thinking: intuitive, pragmatic, and conceptual. When we combine these three, on a very simple level it is possible to describe nine styles. Let's see how those styles relate to the CPS process.
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Feeler-Feeler:
Deals with the intrinsic, personal world intuitively. Feel-Doer:
Deals with the practical world intuitively. Feeler Thinker:
Deals with the conceptual world intuitively.
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Doer-Feeler:
Deals with the intrinsic world practically. Doer-Doer:
Deals with the practical world practically. Doer-Thinker:
Deals with the conceptual world practically.
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Thinker-Feeler:
Deals with the intrinsic world conceptually. Thinker-Doer:
Deals with the practical world conceptually. Thinker-Thinker:
Deals with the conceptual world conceptually.
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EXAMPLE: We often hear that action oriented people (Doers) skip many of the steps of the CPS process. With axiometric analysis we can discover the why this is not always the case. For example, the Doer-Feeler will tend to mesh OBJECTIVE-FINDING and FACT-FINDING in order to determine what to target. They will tend to overlook PROBLEM-FINDING and again combine IDEA-FINDING and SOLUTION-FINDING. They will defer to ACCEPTANCE-FINDING, but only to control outcomes.

Doer-Doers, on the other hand, start with SOLUTION-FINDING, merging PROBLEM-FINDING, FACT-FINDING, and IDEA-FINDING at the same time in order to focus on how to solve the problem and move on. They will definitely lose patience with ACCEPTANCE-FINDING.

Doer-Thinkers will be more planful and more attentive to the steps, but will still be practical and focused on results. They will tend to co-mingle FACT-FINDING and IDEA-FINDING as a series of questions asking what, how, and why. The action planning phase of ACCEPTANCE-FINDING will be critical to them, though they too will be impatient with the "needs analysis" aspect, convinced as they are of the acceptability of their logically derived solution.

This kind of analysis raises some fun questions:

· How might we convince the learner of the value of each CPS step, whatever their thinking style?

· What might be some implications for building teams and what cautions can we propose?

· Why is it better to measure these differences objectively rather than using self report assessment?

· In what ways might we help folks value their uniqueness as we facilitate their problem solving success?

· What thoughts does this analysis provoke for you?

K.T. Connor, PhD

November's featured writer Dawn DePasquale, PhD

Atlanta Creativity Exchange 2010
May 6-8, 2010
"Hooked at the Roots"
November's featured writer Dawn DePasquale, PhD
'Unplugged: Remotus Perspectus'

Please visit www.atlantacreativity.org


Featured Article
Potatoes? Not Yet!
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Dear Alan,

I'm a humble, lovable, facilitator. But when the company, where I've contracted FT for 10 years, decides to eliminate contractor, I realize that, like many others, I need to re-invent myself. In a moment of clarity, which oddly enough came simultaneously with eating a peanut butter wafer bar, I remember that I have a friend with a little country cabin. No internet accessibility. No TV. Unplugged. Could I do it? As a flaming extrovert, I had my doubts. But off I go...to think.

Day 1 - Following the country-style directions...like "make a right at the horses, left at the red house", I find the cabin. With computer on my lap, stacks of files around me, I excitedly experiment with my new Buzan's iMindMapping software.

As the Mind Map takes shape I begin to think about how I'll shape a future for myself. And I realize, if nothing else, I'll have proof that I had spent the day thinking...in color...with branches and topics and sub-topics.

Day 2 - I wake with some fresh thoughts thanks to the natural process of incubation. Now if I could only get my brain to do that when I'm awake! By early afternoon, I've added to yesterday's Mind Map with additional speech and training topics, domain names, and even a network of sages for advice.

I am feeling wildly omnipotent as I discover how to put a border around a Word document, add color, import symbols, and wrap text! However, transferring a headshot photo proves to be interesting when I "deftly" copy it only to find one whole page taken up by my right eye. Now, do I know any 'artsy' HR directors?

Day 3 - My goal, before I leave this morning, is to develop additional speaking topics. But the sun is shining, so I think I'll go read a book by the stream. Perhaps it's prophetic that the cabin-owners have "Awakening to Your Life's Purpose" by Eckhart Tolle.

After an hour of reading, I came to two conclusions. One, I don't think I'm really getting this 'Zen' thing. Two, it's perfectly OK to not to get it, as long as you do it in the "NOW". I also gained from this book, that it is OK not to do anything. It's called 'being'. Whew!

So, with Mind Map in hand, and with a sense of Zen-like peace, I load files and suitcases into the car. As I drive home to my life, I feel victorious. Well, at least hopeful.


Dawn

October's featured writer Jack Wolf, PhD, CPT

Atlanta Creativity Exchange 2010
May 6-8, 2010
"Hooked at the Roots"
October's featured writer Jack Wolf, PhD, CPT


Please visit www.atlantacreativity.org


Featured Article
Potatoes? Not Yet!
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"Successful Meetings 101"
_____________________________________________________

Dear Robert Alan,

The next time you attend a meeting lead by someone else take note of the amount of "air time" the highest ranking person in the room takes---it's usually 75% or more. Individuals in hard economic times are even more hesitant to render an opinion/suggestion/criticism due to what I refer to as "job jeopardy".

So how do you get 100% of the participants at a meeting to contribute to the outcome/objectives for the meeting? You use silence as a method of neutralizing the authority and power of the high ranking individuals in the room. By using silence a team leader can obtain truthful opinions and desired feedback so that everyone will have contributed before the end of the time together.

Here is a handy tip when using silence in meetings:

"What" Questions Technique- Have paper, 3x5 cards, or sticky notes in front of each person at the meeting. Make sure everyone has a pen before you start the meeting as well because the participants will be asked to respond in writing to the questions you are about to ask.

Begin each question using the word "what" and not why as why is an emotionally aggressive word as in "why are sales down, why are you working here, what do you do for the organization, why are you driving that car, etc." The next part of the Tip is when you start asking your what questions always begin with a big picture/global question first---as in "what are the 3 greatest problems/challenges facing this organization"?

After you have the response to a few big picture questions you can go more specific with your questioning like "what are the 3 greatest problems/challenges facing this department/team/group/product line/etc." After each question you collect the data on the papers but make sure that you never ask for anyone to place their name on this response---of you will continue to get the "me too" data that you are used to in most meetings. As in "I, as the leader, think this is the problem-what does everyone else think"? The responses will for the most part reflect in large measure the opinion of the manager/leader's opening statement---a chorus of "me too".

Once you ask the problem questions always ask for potential solutions to the problems. I usually ask the audience to place them on the back of the problem side so I get problem definition and solution possibilities all on the same card/paper.

Hope you have great success using silence in your meetings.

Jack

July 2009 Newsletter - featured writer Bruce Rosove

Atlanta Creativity Exchange 2010
May 6-8, 2010
"Hooked at the Roots"
July 2009 Newsletter - featured writer Bruce Rosove


Please visit www.atlantacreativity.org


Featured Article
Potatoes? Not Yet!
What action, if any, do you want your members to take? Add a "Find out more" link to additional information that you may have hosted on your website



"How to Fly With Positive Emotions!"
_____________________________________________________

Dear Alan,

I had just been to the second annual Atlanta Creativity Exchange (ACE) and was at the airport waiting for my flight. In fact, I was at the gate. The one the flight had been changed to. It was across the hall from where the flight was supposed to have been and there was a huge crowd waiting in line to find out what the H.... was happening. Anyway, they started boarding the plane and I still did not have a boarding pass. So I went to the desk and asked them politely and calmly, whether they had a pass for me. The first time I did this they did not.

As I said I'd just been at ACE. I had presented a session there on how to foster positive emotions. But, I was not feeling too positive myself just then. After all there was a crowd, nothing was happening, and I wanted to fly home.

Then I had an insight. I could use what I was telling others about creating positive emotions to help myself.

I always start my sessions on this topic by asking people: What is an emotion?

Through some exercises we come to the conclusion that an emotion is a reaction to a thought. In fact, people often get thoughts and emotions confused. With a little practice, we can control our thoughts. It's not really possible to control our emotions.

So, I thought, what are my thoughts? I realized that the thoughts I was having were something like:

I may not get home tonight. The flight has been cancelled. I'll never find a place to stay in Atlanta! What will I do....etc.

So I looked at the thoughts. I suddenly realized: SO WHAT!

In fact, I started thinking about all the advantages of staying in Atlanta an extra night. (I had been at a CREATIVITY Conference after all. Generating ideas is one of the key steps in creativity!)

Well, there were lots of great aspects to this idea. But even if there had not been fun options for staying an extra night I had broken the catastrophe scenario in my mind and replaced it with a much more relaxed perspective.

And, how did I feel? I felt very different. I could sense my whole body relaxing. I had not realized it had been tense. And as I relaxed I was able to see the whole situation as just a minor delay in an otherwise smooth trip.

Now there is a bonus to the story, in fact two bonuses.

The first relates to the fact that I had a confirmed seat but no boarding pass. When I had checked my luggage they told me that the plane was full and that I'd need to get my boarding pass at the gate. That was why the crowd at the gate was so upsetting at first.

Anyway, by now I've been waiting quite a while. And still no boarding pass. They started calling people to board the plane. I went back to the desk and asked again if they had a pass for me. The harried woman looked on her desk found my pass and handed it to me.

I looked at it and was elated! It was for a seat in the exit row, the row with extra leg room. I laughed and happily got on the plane.

I don't know whether I believe in the Law of Attraction. But if that Law is a reality I believe the fact that I stopped having negative thoughts and started having positive ones helped me get that great seat.

But there is more. I hesitate to tell this part because it reveals that I prefer sitting beside petite people to sitting beside people who overflow their seat.

I'll take the chance that you won't judge me too harshly. Anyway, I had drawn, so to speak, the window seat in the Exit row. I had a great view from there. There was another man sitting in the aisle seat. Who would get the middle seat remained a mystery. Sure enough here she came, a very large woman. She sat down and her coat flopped over into my seat. I spoke to her and she never replied. I thought, oh well. Just think positive thoughts. Just then an attractive very petite person came along and indicated that the middle seat was hers. After quite a bit of hesitation the stewardess agreed that the passengers in question should switch. So I got to fly from Atlanta to Detroit having a very interesting conversation with a petite woman who had been born in Korea.

A potentially boring and difficult trip had been turned into a very pleasant experience. I believe that my positive thoughts and the resulting positive emotions at the very least contributed to my pleasant experience. If nothing else, my positive thoughts helped me relax. So even if all the other positive things had not happened, my ability to change my thoughts to be more positive led to a much more relaxed and contented Bruce.

What do you think?

Summary:

Positive thoughts lead to positive emotions lead to positive experiences.

Copyright © Bruce Rosove 2009. Bruce is a Life Coach and Organizational Development Consultant. His practice focuses on helping individuals and organizations exceed their "perceived potential", both on a personal level and in their organizations. He operates the Ottawa Branch of the Emotional Fitness Institute.

Bruce can be reached at: (613) 233 8013 Bruce.Rosove@Rogers.com. http://www.efitinstitute.com/Ottawa.aspx
http://www.meetup.com/The-Emotional-Fitness-Coaching-Group/

"Breaking Creativity Blocks"

"Breaking Creativity Blocks"
________________________

Oh no! I'm blocked again. No ideas. I just sit and sit and no ideas come.

Where is my muse when I need him or her?

I have to have ideas and a basic proposal in 90 minutes and I feel stale, blank, and dry, like a void in space. No ideas are coming, especially creative ones.

This blocked, frustrated feeling often happens when we are under pressure. One process I find that is helpful is to Alphabetize Virtual Sources.

Simply take a sheet of paper and write down the left side of the page the letters a, b, c,...to z. Then think of the name of a famous/ infamous person whose name fits [i.e.: Abe Lincoln for A, Benjamin Franklin for B, and Donald Trump for T]. You can use first names or last names or a mix, It is up to you.

Then proceed to randomly pick a series of letters from a - z and write them down on separate cards or pieces of paper. Now look up the names that match on your list.

You may have chosen D, X, M, T, U and the names from your list were:

D - Walt Disney
X - Xavier Cougat
M - Mickey Mantle
T - Teddy Roosevelt
U - Ulysses. S. Grant

The next step is to imagine how each of these people might approach your challenge. Walt Disney might focus on amusement or entertainment while Xavier Cougat would orchestrate the problem using a large group of players and Mickey Mantle might swing for the homerun.
Often the ideas will appear far fetched at first. That is when you need to use your always available logically creative thinking skills. Take the "wild idea" and ask yourself: How might I alter this to make it more workable (using any appropriate criteria or limitation).

This process helps "break mindset," "shift paradigms," and forces me to explore approaches I might never consider otherwise, especially under the pressure of a time restraint. This method can be used in many different ways. Instead of famous people's names you could use: a) cartoon characters; b) characters from literature; c) Super Heroes (Steve Grossman developed this version); d) occupations; and e) animals.

The possibilities are endless. The key is to force your thoughts into a new pattern, to "Think out of the BOX", to "Break Your Crayons," change your mindset quickly, and effectively find creative directions even when your muse is off on vacation in Barbados. By breaking your mindset you will open your mind to many more potentially creative ideas.

Offered by "Alan" (Robert Alan Black, Ph.D., CSP) a practitioner and author in the field of creativity.

All the best,
Harry, Alan, Frank and Mary Ann

"Meetings That Work"

"Meetings That Work"

Beginning in the year 2000 organizations have faced unsettling economic times. Staffs are asked to "do more with less" on a daily basis. Sometimes the less is less people or it can be fewer resources such as lower budgets, fewer supplies or smaller physical office or production space.

With all of this increased pressure on the people to improve their performance the common space to communicate goals, vision, challenges and opportunities is when employees gather for a meeting either in-person or by long distance communication.

During my LeadershipAcademy course the attendee leaders learn that all meetings serve two main purposes:

1. To collect information from the team about challenges and opportunities to performance and
2. To deliver new information and coaching to reduce obstacles and increase performance back on the job.

If the above premise is accepted, that is all meetings need to be both speaking to and listening, from your employees then here are a few suggestions that can improve the amount of honest communication between you and your team.
Suggestion #1- Stop Talking and Start Listening

Ask the employees to write on a post-it note the three main challenges they have in doing their job. Have them write their responses in silence before discussing what they wrote to each other and then to you. You could also ask them to come up with the top three solutions to the problems they just described. Make them put their responses in rank order "what is your number one problem, your number two.

In this way everyone in your meeting will participate because you are not talking and they are writing in silence. By the way, you are also increasing the accountability of your employees because this is their list and not yours. You can then agree or agree to disagree with what they wrote down to each question. Here are a few What questions that have been effective for my clients:

1. What are the 3 top duties or functions of your job?
2. What are the 3 greatest obstacles in performing your job at 100% efficiency?
3. What are the 3 top solutions that would overcome your greatest challenges to performance?
4. What are the 3 top objections/problems that our customers are having with us in the field?
5. What are the top 3 reasons to buy from our company?
6. What are the top 3 reasons to buy from our competition?

The What Question technique will invite increased participation and dialog (not monolog) at future meetings. But beware, you will have created an active and involved team on your hands so be prepared to respond to increased communication and opinions at your future meetings.

Good luck!
Jack is an independent contract trainer and speaker and can be reached at jackwolf@ij.net

Harry, Alan, Frank and Mary Ann

"Iron Chef Competition Mixes It UP"

"Iron Chef Competition Mixes It UP"
Buironchefsiness Planning Retreats: Get them out of their Bored Rooms!

It's time for your End of Year Business Planning Session! In a 3 day retreat, you will lock the best minds of your organization into a Conference Center, in which you envision them developing an absolutely killer 2009 Business Plan! Here are a few "Wild Ideas" for bring business planning sessions from Now to WOW! ™

Take Them Outdoors/Recess---Not only does playing in the outdoors produce more creative and playful children---It works especially well with Adults. Get your team out of the "Bored Room" and see the results physical environment plays on mental output.
Stimulate All of Their Senses: From Wine Tasting Events, to Artistic Interpretation and Dance, consider multi-sensory activities to stimulate both left and right braining thinking and team cooperation. We recently conducted an "Iron Chef" Competition for an Executive Team. The team was broken down into smaller cooking groups where they created the "afternoon break" and used a "Secret Ingredient". The groups were measured on quality, creative presentation, use of shared resources and cooperation--- all while moving to the music of "I heard it through the grapevine". If team members can cook it up together in the kitchen, they can cook up that business plan.

You're Fired.... well not really, but do take a lesson from the Donald.... Give Team members' specific missions, deliverables and tasks and throw in just a little bit of competition. "It doesn't hurt to give them a "Mission Impossible" envelope that builds suspense and excitement for their assignment.

Get a Theme: Themes Build Teams. Don't forget to Merchandise and Brand your Retreat as you would a product. From this one retreat your company could achieve that breakthrough, new product marketing strategy and team synchronicity critical to your success.

Hire a "Hit" Man/Woman: You're an Executive, not an Event Planner or Facilitator. Calculate the salary of every staff member going to the retreat in addition to hotel/travel costs. Why risk the investment? Hire a professional facilitator who will assure your event is a Hit and is responsible for producing the final team work product.

The TISP Factor: Finally, Make each retreat participant and member of your team feel Trusted, Important, Special and Pleased. I once heard a certain hospitality diva say, when "You're hosting a party, make sure everyone at the party feels like they were the most important guest at the party".

Apply that rule to your Team Retreat and you're on your way to WOW!

Rosemary Rein, Ph.D
Author "Go Wild! Survival Skills for Business and Life"
For more information and articles on creativity and leadership retreats, go to www.gowildgogreat.com or www.businessmeetingscostarica.com

Harry, Alan, Frank and Mary Ann