The Strategic Creativity System

In this first session, we will get to know each other, learn about the course, discuss goals and expectations, and prepare for the experience.

Introductions

1. About me
2. Cohort introductions

About the Course

1. Philosophy
2. Structure
3. Approach

Course Logistics

1. Schedule & Timeline
2. Tech & Channels

Objectives & Expectations

1. Module by Module Objectives
2. Participant Expectations
3. Best Practices

Open discussion

1. Q&A
2. Open sharing

Next Steps

1. Preperation for Session 2: Catalyzing Collaboration - Part 1

Session 2, the first half of Catalyzing Collaboration, leverages The Color Code personality science to unearth why people do what they do.

Chapters:

1/ Understanding Yourself & Others

• The Color Code Overview
• Color Tour

2/ Setting Growth Goals

• Strengths & Limitations
• Secondary Colors

3/ Strengthening Relationships 

• Taking Responsibility
• Relationship Dynamics

4/ Setting Relationship Goals

• Quick Coding
• Intentions

(Discussion of homework will be done at the beginning of session 3.)

Session 3, the second half of Catalyzing Collaboration, departs into a new lane, sharing (1) a key tool, (2) a tactic, and (3) a framework to help drive productive and creative teamwork at the beginning, middle, and ends of projects.

Three Timeless Team Techniques:

1/ Strong Starts

• The Complex Challenge
• The Simple Solution
• The Tool
• Integration Advice

2/ Conscientious Critiquing

• The Complex Challenge
• The Simple Solution
• The Tactic
• Integration Advice

3/ Feedback Fundamentals

• The Complex Challenge
• The Simple Solution
• The Framework
• Integration Advice

Creativity is about problem-solving with bold imagination and analytical rigor. 

It involves a process that keeps teams on track and sets them free to be inspired and focus on their thinking. It’s about making smart choices and working on the right problems and solutions.

Most people aren’t born with a spark of genius - but creativity is a skill that can be learned and developed with practice.

Module Objectives

• Gain a new understanding of creativity and the ways that people solve problems
• Learn the fundamental skills of creative problem-solving skills required for results
• Prepare for the most common teams challenges and learn how to get through them
• Prepare for the most common process traps and learn how to escape and thrive

Session 4 Chapters

• Module Introduction
• Fundamental Creative Problem-Solving Skills
• Creative Problem-Solving Profiles
• The Creative Problem-Solving Process

Session 5 Chapters

• Team Dynamics, Tensions, and Tips
• Process Problems and Avoiding Common Traps

Supporting Tool: Basadur Innovation System

• It's a research-based, multi-faceted resource that involves thinking-style profiles, team design principles, process philosophy, and creative skills. 
• This system makes sense of the chaos often found in teams when creatively solving problems, thereby establishing something called Applied Creativity.
• You will never see Problem-Solving the same way, and you will supercharge productivity.

Consistency is what’s needed for sustainable growth and innovation. Without it, teams get stuck in debt and struggle to dig their way out. Consistent, collaborative creativity is the hallmark of high-performing teams. 

In effort to excite and energize their teams, many leaders design one-off projects when what they really need are durable rituals & programs.

Strategic creativity is about using solutions for specific goals. It's about being purposeful. By designing and deploying the rituals and programs, leaders can help teams focus more on the thinking and less on the admin and planning to drive ongoing results. This is about reliability and the pursuit of strategic objectives.

Module Objectives

• Learn about innovative cultures and the principles that make them work
• Learn about organizational practices that lead to more consistent strategic creativity
• Identify what resonates with your situation, what to integrate, and define how to start
• Define and commit to a personal plan by reviewing the inventory of course knowledge

Module Flow:

Session 6

• Module Introduction
• Principles & Practices of Innovative Cultures

Homework

• Generating plan drafts

Session 7

• Discussing and building your plan

Homework

• Revising plans

Session 8

• Sharing of Plans
• Course wrap-up