I believe I am a very creative thinker, but candidly, I get a lot of help. Tony Buzan’s Mind Mapping techniques have added to my retention. I find it incredible how often I draw a strategy using a mind map and find new links.
However, when it comes to creativity, I give a lot of credit to Roger von Oech. Roger got his Interdisciplinary Doctorate from Stanford on the History of Ideas. He also ran conferences on Innovation and created the Whack Pack and the Innovative Whack Pack.
There have been days when I have brought my decks out to a meeting to get a group thinking outside the box. There have been other days, when I have used the decks like a tarot reader working on a question.
The one that I randomly chose a few days ago to carry with me says…
“Those who approach life like a child playing a game moving and pushing pieces possess the power of kings.”
For me this translates into not accepting the status quo easily. Since the King can barely move in chess the question has to be asked what if the king could knight any piece.
Who do I wish I could give more power and resources to in my organization?
Rogers latest contributions have been in 3 dimensional “puzzles” that allow structure to be played with. For today, I will stick with the decks, but if I ever start to build something, I will take advantage of his physical guidance.