Psychology of Creativity & Innovation

Topic 2: Innovative Mindset

 Topic 2 Outline
A. Understanding innovative mindset
 Innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship
 Types, methods and trajectories of innovation
 The characteristics of an innovative person
 The Drivers of innovation
 The characteristics of creative leaders
 What are the leadership initiatives to enhance innovation
 How to manage innovative individuals in business
B. How constrains can simulate creative thinking
C. Divergent thinking and convergent thinking
D. Practical exercises to boost cognitive creativity
E. The relationship between emotional intelligence and creativity and how
emotional intelligence can help in enhancing creative problem solving
Innovative
Mindset
• An innovative mindset is a way
of thinking that embraces
creativity, open-mindedness,
and a forward-looking
perspective. It's characterized
by the willingness to challenge
the status quo, explore new
ideas, and seek
unconventional solutions to
problems.
 A. Understanding innovative mindset

What is Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

 Creativity is typically described as the process of generating new ideas.

 Innovation takes creativity a step further by being a process that turns those ideas into reality.
 Entrepreneurship is the process by which entrepreneurs convert opportunities (ideas) into
marketable solutions.
 A. Understanding innovative mindset

 Types, Methods and Trajectories of Innovation

Types
• Product innovation is about making beneficial changes to physical products.

• Process innovation is about making beneficial changes to the processes that produce products
or services.

• Service innovation is about making beneficial changes to services that customers use.
 A. Understanding innovative mindset

 Types, Methods and Trajectories of Innovation

Methods
• Invention: the creation of a new product, service, or process, often one that is novel or untried;
revolutionary.
• Extension: the expansion of a product, service, or process already in existence.
• Duplication: the replication of an already existing product, service, or process adding the
entrepreneur„s own creative touch to enhance or improve the concept to beat the competition.
• Synthesis: the combination of existing concepts and factors into a new formulation.
 A. Understanding innovative mindset

 Types, Methods and Trajectories of Innovation

Trajectories
• Radical innovation is the launching of inaugural (initial) breakthroughs such as personal
computers and smartphones. Replacing the current market by an entire new market
• Incremental Innovation refers to the systematic evolution of a product or service into
newer or larger markets. Examples include the typical improvements and advances in
current products and services.
• Disruptive Innovation Creates something that fills a gap in the market and provides more
value than the currently available.
 A. Understanding innovative mindset

The Characteristics of an Innovative

Person

1. Curiosity: Innovative thinkers are naturally curious and eager

to explore the unknown. They ask questions, seek knowledge,
and are not content with superficial answers.
2. Adaptability: An innovative mindset is flexible and adaptable.
It thrives in changing environments and is open to adjusting
strategies and approaches as needed.
3. Risk-Taking: Innovation often involves taking calculated risks.
Those with an innovative mindset are willing to step out of
their comfort zones and experiment with new ideas, even if
they may fail.
4. Resilience: Innovators understand that setbacks are part of
the creative process. They bounce back from failures, learning
from them and using them as stepping stones to future
success.
5. Collaboration: Innovation frequently emerges from
collaboration and diverse perspectives. An innovative mindset
values teamwork and welcomes input from others.
6. Problem-Solving: Innovative thinkers are adept
problem solvers. They see challenges as
opportunities to find inventive solutions and view
obstacles as puzzles to be solved.
7. Vision: Having a clear vision of what could be is a
hallmark of an innovative mindset. It involves
envisioning a better future and working towards that
vision.
8. Embracing Constraints: Instead of seeing
constraints as limitations, those with an innovative
mindset view them as creative challenges that can
spark inventive solutions.
9. Continuous Learning: An innovative mindset is
committed to lifelong learning. It recognizes that the
world is constantly evolving, and staying informed
and curious is essential.
10. Customer-Centric: Innovation often begins with
understanding and empathizing with the needs and
desires of customers or end-users.
 A. Understanding innovative mindset

 The Drivers/Sources of Innovation

• Trends
• Unexpected Occurrences
• Process Needs
• Industry and Market Changes
• Demographic Changes
• Perceptual Changes
 A. Understanding innovative mindset

 The Characteristics of creative leaders

• Knowledge: “provides the building blocks for generating and combining ideas.”
• Cognitive Abilities: “general intelligence and abstract reasoning.” “enthusiastic about
puzzling problems”
• Personality: “positive self image without being blindly self confident.” Can deal with
criticism well
• Passion: for the task and the experience of flow-
• The Componential Theory of individual creativity: “creativity takes place when three
components join together: expertise, creative-thinking skill, and task motivation.”
 A. Understanding innovative mindset

 The Leadership Initiatives to enhance innovation

1. Continually Pursue Innovation
• Company leaders should stay alert to innovative possibilities
• Important because new technology can make an industry obsolete or endanger it
2. Take Risks and encourage risk taking
• It is necessary to gamble intelligently and selectively even in times of hardship
3. Emphasize Collaboration among employees
• Most innovations originate from groups of people working together
4. Acquire Innovative Companies
• In order to shorten the innovation process, companies must acquire smaller companies that have the innovation they
need
 A. Understanding innovative mindset
 The Leadership Initiatives to enhance innovation
5. Avoid Innovation For Its Own Sake
• Leaders need to exercise good judgment
• Innovation just for innovation is not always valuable

6. Loose-tight Leadership Enhances Creativity And Innovation

• Leaders need to allow enough space for new ideas to surface
• The tightness should be applied when choosing the new idea

7. Integrate Development and Production

• Innovation may suffer when product development and production people are separated
• More communication and input is emphasized when integrated

8. Recognize The Hidden Opportunities When Products And Ideas Flop

• The key is to recognize the new possibilities that emerge from the failure
 A. Understanding innovative mindset
 How to manage innovative individuals in business
• Give creative people tools and resources that allow their work to stand out

• Give creative people flexibility and a minimum amount of structure

• Give gentle feedback when turning down an idea

• Employ creative people to manage and evaluate creative workers

 B. How Constrains Can Simulate Creative
Thinking
Constraints as Catalysts

Constraints, often viewed as limitations or obstacles, can serve as powerful catalysts for creativity and
innovation. Instead of hindrances, constraints can stimulate creative thinking and problem-solving by
encouraging individuals to explore unconventional paths and discover novel solutions.

1. Focus and Clarity: Constraints force individuals to narrow their focus and define the problem more
clearly. When the scope is limited, it becomes easier to identify the most critical aspects and potential
solutions.

2. Resource Efficiency: Constraints, such as limited time or resources, compel individuals to work
efficiently and prioritize essential tasks. This efficiency can lead to innovative approaches and
streamlined processes.

3. Inventive Solutions: When conventional methods or resources are restricted, individuals are pushed to
think outside the box and find inventive alternatives. Constraints encourage the exploration of new
techniques or materials.
4. Enhanced Problem-Solving: Constraints challenge individuals to devise
solutions that address the core problem rather than relying on excess
resources. This promotes more effective problem-solving.
5. Cross-Disciplinary Insights: Constraints can encourage cross-disciplinary
thinking, as individuals from different fields may bring diverse perspectives and
solutions to a problem.
6. Limitless Imagination: Paradoxically, constraints can free the imagination. When
individuals accept and work within constraints, they often find that their
creativity flourishes as they explore uncharted territory.
7. Real-World Relevance: Constraints often mirror real-world challenges, making
the creative solutions generated more applicable and practical in addressing
everyday problems.
8. Learning and Growth: Overcoming constraints fosters personal and
professional growth. Individuals learn to adapt, innovate, and become more
resilient in the face of challenges.
Cases
1. SpaceX - Reusable Rockets:
• Constraint: Traditionally, space exploration
involved discarding rockets after a single use,
making it an expensive endeavor.
• Innovation: SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, turned
this constraint into an opportunity by developing
reusable rockets. They created the Falcon 9 rocket
with the ability to land and be reused, significantly
reducing launch costs and revolutionizing the
space industry.
2. Toyota - Lean Manufacturing:
• Constraint: After World War II, Toyota faced
resource shortages and limited manufacturing
capabilities.
• Innovation: Toyota embraced these constraints
and developed the Toyota Production System,
which later became known as "lean
manufacturing." It focused on minimizing waste,
optimizing processes, and efficiently utilizing
resources. This approach not only transformed
Toyota's operations but also became a global
manufacturing standard.
3. Airbnb - Utilizing Existing Spaces:
• Constraint: Airbnb founders, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia,
were struggling to pay their rent and found themselves in
need of additional income. They had a spare room in their
apartment.
• Innovation: Instead of viewing their spare room as an
obstacle, they listed it for rent on a conference weekend
when hotels were fully booked. This idea evolved into Airbnb,
an online platform that connects people with available
accommodations. Airbnb turned the constraints of limited
income and space into a global hospitality revolution.
4. IKEA - Flat-Pack Furniture:
• Constraint: IKEA faced challenges in reducing transportation
costs and providing affordable furniture to customers.
• Innovation: The company embraced the constraint by
developing flat-pack furniture, which could be efficiently
packaged, reducing shipping costs. Customers then
assembled the furniture themselves, further saving on labor
and transportation expenses. This approach has become a
hallmark of IKEA's success.
5. Grameen Bank - Microcredit for Poverty
Alleviation:
• Constraint: Traditional banks were unwilling to lend
to impoverished individuals in Bangladesh, viewing
them as high-risk borrowers.
• Innovation: Economist Muhammad Yunus founded
Grameen Bank, which provided small, collateral-free
loans to impoverished individuals. This microcredit
model empowered people to start small businesses,
escape poverty, and become self-sufficient. It
revolutionized banking for the poor and earned
Yunus the Nobel Peace Prize.
C. Divergent Thinking:
Exploring Creative
Possibilities
• Divergent thinking is a cognitive process that encourages
individuals to explore a wide range of creative possibilities when
faced with a problem or challenge.
1. Generating Multiple Ideas: Divergent thinking encourages the
generation of multiple ideas, options, or solutions to a problem.
Participants are encouraged to think beyond the obvious and
consider a broad spectrum of possibilities.
2. Open-Mindedness: It requires an open and receptive mindset,
where there are no judgments or immediate rejections of ideas.
Every idea is treated as valid and potentially valuable.
3. Fluency: Fluency refers to the ability to produce a large quantity
of ideas. Participants are encouraged to think quickly and
generate as many ideas as possible within a set time frame.
4. Flexibility: Flexibility in
divergent thinking involves
shifting perspectives and
considering ideas from different
angles. It includes exploring
various approaches and
viewpoints.
5. Originality: Divergent
thinking aims to produce unique
and original ideas that go
beyond conventional or routine
solutions. It encourages
breaking away from established
patterns of thinking.
Practical Tips for Fostering Divergent
Thinking:
• Brainstorming Sessions: Organize brainstorming
sessions where participants can freely share ideas without
criticism. The focus should be on quantity and variety of
ideas.
• Mind Mapping: Use mind mapping techniques to visually
explore ideas and their connections. Mind maps help
participants expand their thinking and see relationships
between concepts.
• SCAMPER Technique: Introduce the SCAMPER
technique (Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to
Another Use, Eliminate, Reverse) to prompt creative
thinking by systematically exploring various ways to
change or adapt an idea.
• Role Play and Simulation: Encourage role-playing and
simulation exercises where participants can step into
different roles or perspectives to generate diverse ideas.
Convergent Thinking: The Art
of Selecting the Best Ideas
Convergent thinking is a cognitive process that involves
narrowing down and selecting the most promising ideas or
solutions from a pool of diverse options generated during
divergent thinking. It stands in contrast to divergent
thinking, which encourages the generation of a wide variety
of ideas. Convergent thinking is essential for refining and
choosing the best course of action, particularly when faced
with complex problems or creative challenges. Here are
key aspects of convergent thinking:
1. Focus on Solutions: Convergent thinking directs
attention toward evaluating and selecting solutions,
focusing on finding the one or few most suitable answers
to a problem or goal.
2. Critical Evaluation: It requires critical thinking and
systematic evaluation of ideas. Participants or decision-
makers consider factors such as feasibility, effectiveness,
and alignment with objectives.
3. Efficiency: Convergent thinking emphasizes efficiency in
decision-making. It seeks to streamline and prioritize
ideas to arrive at a practical and implementable solution.
4. Elimination of Unworkable Ideas: During this process,
less viable or unworkable ideas are eliminated, leaving
behind a shortlist of the most viable options.
5. Problem Solving: Convergent thinking is particularly
valuable in problem-solving scenarios where a definitive
solution is needed to address a specific challenge.
 D. Practical Tips for Effective
Convergent Thinking:
• Define Criteria: Establish clear criteria or guidelines for
evaluating and selecting ideas. Criteria might include feasibility,
cost-effectiveness, alignment with objectives, and impact.
• Group Collaboration: Engage in group discussions or
collaborative decision-making processes to leverage diverse
perspectives and collective wisdom in selecting the best ideas.
• Prioritize and Rank: Use techniques such as ranking or scoring to
objectively assess and compare ideas against the established
criteria.
• Feedback and Validation: Seek input and feedback from relevant
stakeholders or subject matter experts to validate the chosen
solutions and ensure their viability.
• Iterate as Needed: Convergent thinking is not always a one-time
process. It may involve multiple iterations of evaluating,
refining, and selecting ideas until the optimal solution is
identified.
• Consider Constraints: Keep in mind any constraints, limitations,
or resources available when making the final selection. The
chosen solution should be realistically implementable.
 • Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a multifaceted skill set that plays a crucial role
in both personal and professional success. At its core, EI refers to the ability
to recognize, understand, manage, and navigate one's own emotions and
the emotions of others. It involves a profound awareness of emotions and
their impact on thoughts, behaviors, and relationships. Here, we'll delve into
E. The 1.
the key components that make up emotional intelligence:
Self-Awareness: Self-Awareness is the ability to accurately sense
Essence of and identify personal feelings, along with the ability to understand and
evaluate them. To be fully aware of your feelings you must first identify
them, and then you must acknowledge and accept them.
Emotional 2. Self-Management: Building on self-awareness, self-
Management/regulation is the ability to manage and control your
Intelligence: emotions effectively. This entails staying calm under pressure,
adapting to changing circumstances, and refraining from impulsive
Unveiling Its reactions.
3. Social Awareness: Allows you to identify and understand the feelings
Components of others, which may help you to handle workplace situations more
effectively. For instance, using empathy to react to other’s feelings.
4. Relationship Management: Managing relationships means using
emotional intelligence to navigate social dynamics, resolve conflicts,
and build strong connections. Emotionally intelligent individuals excel
in building trust and creating a positive impact on their social circles.
EI and Creativity: Exploring the link between
emotional intelligence and creative problem
solving.

1. Emotion as a Catalyst for Creativity:

• Emotions are integral to the creative process. EI equips individuals with the
ability to harness their emotions effectively. When emotions are channeled
positively, they can inspire creativity, fuel motivation, and drive imaginative
thinking.
2. Empathy and Collaborative Creativity:
• EI's empathetic component enables individuals to understand the emotions of
others, fostering effective collaboration and teamwork. Creative problem-solving
frequently relies on diverse perspectives and collective brainstorming, making
empathy a valuable asset.
3. Self-Awareness and Idea Generation:
• Self-awareness, a core element of EI, plays a pivotal role in idea generation.
Emotionally intelligent individuals can tap into their own emotions and thought
processes to unlock novel ideas and alternative solutions to problems.
 EI and Creativity: Exploring the link between
emotional intelligence and creative problem
solving.

4. Emotionally Informed Decision-Making:

Creative problem-solving often involves making decisions under uncertainty. EI
provides the capacity to make emotionally informed decisions, considering not
only the practical aspects but also the emotional impact of those decisions on
oneself and others.
5. Effective Communication of Creative Ideas:
• Emotionally intelligent individuals excel in communication, which is essential for
sharing and implementing creative ideas. They can convey their thoughts and
emotions effectively, garnering support and enthusiasm for creative solutions.
6. Managing Creative Conflicts:
• Conflicts and differences of opinion are common in creative endeavors. EI
equips individuals with conflict resolution skills, allowing for constructive
discussions and the synthesis of diverse ideas.
7. Motivation and Perseverance:
• Motivation, a component of EI, drives individuals to pursue creative goals with
passion and determination. Emotionally intelligent individuals are more likely to
persevere in creative projects, even when faced with setbacks.
8. Emotional Resilience: Building emotional resilience as a tool to overcome setbacks and continue the
creative journey.
Embracing Failure as a Learning Opportunity:
Emotional resilience enables creative thinkers to view failure not as a dead end but as a stepping stone to growth. It
empowers them to extract valuable lessons from setbacks and use them to refine their creative approach.
Maintaining Focus and Adaptability:
The creative process can be winding and unpredictable. Emotional resilience helps individuals maintain their focus
and adapt to changing circumstances. It ensures that they stay committed to their creative goals despite external
challenges.
Handling Criticism and Rejection:
Creative work often invites critique and rejection, which can be emotionally challenging. Emotional resilience equips
individuals to handle criticism constructively, separating their self-worth from the evaluation of their work. It
encourages them to use feedback as a tool for improvement.
Managing Stress and Anxiety:
Creativity can be an emotionally charged endeavor, leading to stress and anxiety. Emotional resilience provides
coping mechanisms to manage these emotions, promoting a clear and focused mindset for creative problem-solving.