Comments on: Top 5 ways to be more creative at work

By: Scott Lovingood

Scott Lovingood — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:54:34 +0000

I have found that the act of asking the question helps many people solve the problem. I have gotten no telling how many calls where someone describes the problem and before they even finish they go “Never mind. Just thought of how to fix it”

Also one way to dramatically increase creativity is to limit the discussion in some way. For example how many items can you name in the refrigerator? Now how many white items can you name? In many cases people will name more white items than they named over all. Go specific on one part and simply brainstorm all the possible answers.

Creativity can be trained and improved. Just not in the same way that admin tasks can be.

By: Livin' la vida Iraq

Livin' la vida Iraq — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:47:27 +0000

@George
Having been an intern for a while when I was getting started in energy management I loved it when I got to be a sounding board. It really helped me develop my listening skills and get a grasp on the industry. At my civilian job I technically process contracts, but since that only takes about half my day lots of people love to come tell me about the problems they are having with this or that. I love it because I get to put the right people together who can help each other or offer a suggestion/solution.

My company also recognizes the usefulness of typing, we are all on IM. We can ask quick questions while others are on the phone or in the bathroom (getting an idea?)and get a response sooner than via voicemail. It’s also great to save copies of conversations for future reference (although that has come back to haunt some).

By: George

George — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:18:38 +0000

Interns are useful for #5. They’re grateful of the attention and I usually spot a new aspect while explaining. If the intern is brighter than average, then they usually add more value, but it seems only about 1 in 5 interns have that extra something.

By: Steven Austin

Steven Austin — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:59:30 +0000

“If no solution is forthcoming, staring desperately at it will not result in anything. Procrastinate! Sleep on it. Surf the web. Those methods tend to be more effective than hammering on it for 50 hours.”

I concur with the above.

“Breaking things down in babysteps will only work on linear problems.”

Not sure I concur with the above. If you mean smaller steps to be executed sequentially (linearly), I concur; however, I have found that non-linear problems may be initially engaged by decomposing the problem into its pertinent aspects and elements (analysis), followed by sometimes inspired / sometimes random, recombination and testing of the new configuration (synthesis).

Enjoyed your suggestion about work surface configuration. Going to experiment with that, thanks for your post.

By: brauhster

brauhster — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 14:22:14 +0000

In a development project, 3 things are required; On time, in budget, & it works. Most meetings are devoted to picking which 2 of the requirements will be met. Of course this was in the pre Internet days & in a, for profit industry.

By: PC

PC — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:33:25 +0000

Einstein speaks English too: Only primitive keep order, a genius dominated the chaos

By: Jacob (Aruba)

Jacob (Aruba) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:15:28 +0000

“Nur Primitive halten Ordnung , ein Genie beherrscht das Chaos.”

- Einstein

By: Dtrain

Dtrain — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:21:42 +0000

Number 4 (of 5 or 7;)) so true, that and the travel home from work is where I solve a few of the things that have stumped me during the day. Although for pun’s sake, you could have listed that one second.