Creativity Central Blog

Carnival of Creativity

The Greater Des Moines Partnership (formerly the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce) on September 21st will offer a Carnival of Creativity. This three-hour workshop is designed to unleash the creative spirit within your organization. The event will feature breakout sessions that focus on creative opportunities in branding, leadership, learning and communication. Charlie and Maria Girsch of Creativity Central will deliver the keynote address on the A.C.T. (attitude, commitment and tools) program.

Webster: in it's second definition, defines carnival as
a : an instance of merrymaking, feasting, or masquerading b : an instance of riotous excess

Being of German heritage I grew up in a world of "if you ain't suffering, you're not getting anywhere". This was later fortified by a variety of coaches who railed, "Girsch, no pain, no gain".

This philosophy worked its way into the American work ethic to such a degree that Daniel Pink reports in his book, "A Whole New Mind" about Ford's Rouge Plant having rules against laughter and fun.

Well folks, PAIN isn't the only way to GAIN. I married a Bohemian Princess who challenged my Teutonic ways while teaching me how to play in a very PRODUCTIVE manner. AND indeed we did quite well as professional toy inventors.

Carnival of Creativity honors that reality in offering a fun filled morning of "speed learning" in an inventive creative manner - we call our brand of Creativity Inventivity. So it is that we will convene at the ball park and with the help of our Partners in Creativity:

• Mike Sansone - Communications
• Mike Wagner - Branding
  
• Victor Aspengren - Leadership
  
• Frank Bell - Learning
  

And wait for the legendary call "PLAY Ball!!"

BTW: I know the keynoters and might be able secure a few "special" tickets if that would help your decision to join us.

This rag tag bunch changed the way the world computes. I'm told that this picture shows the original Micro Soft team. You can see some of thousands upon thousands of folks enjoying the fruits of their vision on the Microsoft site.

Would you have hired that 70's team? What kind of judgment or assumption (notorious blocks to creativity and innovation along with habit and fear) might you have reached if you were invited to join them in their adventure. People often ask, what's the matter with young people ... not much given an idea, permission and the opportunity reminds Marian Wright Edelman.

Being a bit of a long hair myself in the 70's, I don't think that the look would have stopped me, BUT I sure would have struggled with the idea of desktop computers, user friendly (?) operating systems and paperless letters.

The success of this band of dreamers reminds me of the Margaret Mead quote, "Never underestimate the ability of a small, dedicated group of people to change the world. Indeed, nothing else ever has." We often think of this quote in terms of social justice and inclusion, as we should.

But that original team believed in a future that included useful personal computing and the whole world is now in debt, some might suggest in bondage, to their efforts AND now their charity.

No, not that kind.

Rather, I'm thinking about Joseph next door. He's a very precocious first grader who proudly displayed his new, wonderful, colored stone collection. After our appropriate oohs and aahs, he ordered us to close our eyes and put out our hands. Into each, he placed a beautiful dazzling red stone. To keep!

A year ago, another little girl, Megan, was showing us, with equal pride, her crystal collection which included some beautiful violet "gems." Just as with Joseph, her immediate response to our admiring comments was to—right then and there---give us one.

How can kids be so connected to what they love, and yet share with such spontaneity, never regretting their benevolence, never looking back to re-think their generosity, only eager to perform their random acts of Buddha-like non-clinginess? Maybe it's the innate creativity of children that allows—no, encourages---them to share, to let go, and to trust that there will always be more or different or extra.

In Chapter 2 of our book, Fanning the Creative Spirit, we offer several definitions of creativity. One says that creativity is "remembered, not learned." Later in Chapter 9, the last of the "Seven Practices of Inventivity," is "to let go and trust."

Thank God (most of the time) for kids to watch and learn from. Anyone who has a child in his or her life has an instant mentor, if only we take the time to remember. Cheers to Joseph's and Megan's uncorked creative spirits!

Thoughts from Thinking ...

Caught up with Wayne Lindholm, formerly of 3M and now serving the manufacturing community as Manufacturing Advisors, Inc., for lunch today. It didn't take long before Six Sigma was the topic of conversation. Wayne, recalling 3M's encounter with the double S, quoted an interview with John Black

"Looking back to March of 2001 when McNerney, fresh off the GE/Welch machine, announced his Five Corporate Initiatives for 3M; there was no overarching, comprehensive, long-term vision that held the initiatives together. Instead, he launched five, "point improvement tools" that cut, slashed, and burned using up 3M cultural capital that took decades to create."

To me the key phrase in his obersvation is "using up 3M cultural capital". Sadly the marvelous tool of Total Quality was repurposed to slash and burn in the interest of improving the bottom line - short term. McNerney is gone now and so are a lot of Wayne Lindholms. But this isn't just about 3M, it's far reaching. Best Buy just announced a profitable quarter and layoffs. How does that work?

Wayne's passion for a Total Quality manufacturing environment was learned and absorbed during his days with 3M's tape division. From the division president to the manufacturing floor everyone knew and participated in the process of making the best possible product - with pride, for profit and without flaw (almost zero defects).

We talked about the kinds of organizations where "they get it", where the goals, the effort, the resposibility and the rewards are shared. Sadly, most of the examples that he could point to were not publicly traded.

As we parted, Wayne handed me Leading without Power: Finding Hope in Serving Community by Max De Pree, chairman emeritus of Herman Miller - "they got it" he smiled.

Is this blog still alive? Let's do blog CPR - STAT! Dr. Blog, line 2 - CODE BLUE! We're trying to give the blog new life, keep your bloggers crossed!

UPDATE - Tis breathing!!

The person with the most "Creative" answer
wins a Creativity Central "What if" Hat

Competition or Collaboration? Which leads to the most beneficial solutions and Why?

If necessity is the mother of invention, what is the father?

by Ed Holahan

At Creativity Central we are fond of saying “NO MORE SAME OLD.” We are in the business of getting people into the habit of getting out of the habit. We offer the following hints as an out-of-the-gift-box approach to dining this holiday season.

Start with the House Rules.
THIS IS MY HOUSE AND I MAKE THE RULES!

Make sure that everyone present understands that you are in charge of everything. That means everything. No exceptions. If someone wants to make a toast, if someone wants to pass food to the left, if someone wants to change seats…anything. You are in charge of it.

I have found it helpful over the years to rent a “take a number machine” like at the bakery or deli and mount it to a wall in the room where you will be eating. Make sure to inform your guests that they will need a number if they are going to want anything out of the ordinary like bacon bits or shaved ginger or ice. In larger gatherings it is a good idea to warn people to take several numbers before sitting. It could be quite some time before their number comes up.

If elderly people are attending, offer to get a number for them, a low number if you are in their will. This will show that you are considerate but still very much in control.

Keep your conversation to a minimum. Talking is everyone else’s job. Your job is being in charge. Try short, punchy phrases like…”I imagine so,” “My uncle suffered from that,” and “Why are you here?” If people still don’t get it, try staring at a spot just above their eyes as they are talking. In short order they will find an excuse to leave the table. Make sure they use a number.

“Please, no gifts.” Don’t let that gift thing get started on your watch. You know where it leads and you don’t want to go there. If a guest arrives bearing a brightly wrapped package, be firm. Meet him or her at the door and adopt a wide stance saying, “I told you no gifts. You may have a glass of punch and then you must leave.” I guarantee you they won’t mess up again next year.

At exactly one hour and ten minutes after dinner begins, push back from the table and say, “That was great. Thanks for joining us. Let me know if you need help finding your coat.” Then walk around the table with a black, 50 gallon trash bag and start shoveling the scraps and paper plates into it.
Finally, try to make sure that each and every guest leaves with a meaningful parting thought from you. I like to write them down in advance with the appropriate guest’s name next to each phrase. People appreciate the personal touch. “Jim, next time no kids, OK?”

That about covers it. If you find that it’s difficult to remember all of this information just think of the bullet points.


You’re in charge.

Take a number.

Talk is cheap.

Time’s up.

No gifts.

See ya.

Happy Holidays!