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[A685]Art Of Creative Thinking

by Terje Ellingsen, Ter

Since we started at school and evolved up the levels and grades, we have been familiar with a certain way of thinking. This way of thinking is called “critical” thinking and it emphasizes the skills of analysis rather than creative thinking and creative problem solving. Our formal education systems are using teaching models that are focused on how to understand claims, follow logical arguments, figure out the answer, eliminate the incorrect paths and finally finding the correct ones.

There is however, another type of thinking, which is much more focused on exploring ideas, which has the possibility of searching for and generating several great answers rather than just one. This is the creative way of thinking. Both of these ways of thinking are crucial to a successful career or working life, relationship issues and self improvement. The strange thing is that the latter tends to be ignored and neglected in the education system; the system that should prepare us for the real life.

What distinguises the Creative way of thinking from the critical way?

While the critical way of thinking...

- is analytic by nature
- aims to provide you 'the answer'
- is convergent, fact or standard oriented
- is stricktly focused
- is validated by judgment
- belongs to the left side of the brain
- consists of a line of deductions
- has an objective nature
- empazises probability - which can be quantified
- is based upon reasoning
- is verbal

the creative way of thinking ...

- is more generative; it's purpose is to generate new answers for already known problems.
- is aimed to give you one or more possible answers among a set
- is divergent, which is the opposite of the former
- is more diffused
- only functions when judgment is suspended
- belongs to the right side of the brain
- is more associative which means it can make ideas by associating other ideas
- is much more subjective
- is more focused on what is possible whether it can be quantified or not.
- is based upon richness and novelty
- is visual

When we try to solve problems, both ways of thinking are required. The process of problem solving utilizes an alternation between the creative and critical way of thinking. - they operate together. Another good thing about our fantastic brains are that we don't have to think too hard about when to use which method – the brain takes care of it automatically.

Since the publication of Thomas Friedman’s book ‘The World Is flat’ with accounts of the major changes that are happening at present, there is a renewed interest among business organizations about gaining and sustaining competitive advantage. Rapid changes in the IT, technology and communication put pressure on business firms to respond more promptly to the challenges. Managers and employees at all levels need to respond effectively to the threats and opportunities. It is the ability to think creatively on the part of the employees that is going to make all the difference.To cope with the challenges created by the ‘World is Flat’ phenomenon, managers and employees need to become innovative in their thinking when seeking possible solutions to problems. There are several barriers we need to overcome when traveling on the road to success. The barriers relating to systems and people can be managed successfully only when we are prepared to tackle them through creative approaches. In the past we believed that knowledge is power. In the present flat world, it is the ability to imagine and seek creative and innovative solutions using the knowledge is the power. That is the way to sustain business success. Organisations that are serious about becoming and sustaining their competitive advantage must be prepared to train and develop their employees to think creatively so that they can work on innovating the process, system, product and practices. Managers must incorporate the creative problem solving approach as part of their decision making process.Creative thinking enables business organizations to think and merge information, existing ideas and practices into new ideas. Only then business firms can move on to convert the ideas into practical product or services. Creating the right work environment requires lot of effort and planning on the part of managers. Creative thinking is the powerful tool to garner and sustain your competitive advantage. Arul John Peter, as a Facilitator with the Centre for Creative Thinking, Singapore (www.creativityasia.com) offers workshops on creativity to business corporations in Asia and Middle East.

Article Source : Pg. 30

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Both Terje Ellingsen & John Arul are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Terje Ellingsen has sinced written about articles on various topics from Business and Finance, Credit Cards and Check Credit Rating. . Terje Ellingsen's top article generates over 27100 views. to your Favourites.

John Arul has sinced written about articles on various topics from Education. Arul John Peter, holds an MBA and majored in strategic human resource management. He also holds a Bachelor of Science as his basic degree and professional qualification in administrative and people management from the Institute of Administrative Manageme. John Arul's top article generates over 2400 views. to your Favourites.