Often the main block to creativity is actually a mental block. Thoughts or comments such as these can stop creativity in its tracks.
- Im not creative
- That is not my area
- We must be practical
- There must be a single right answer
- That is not logical
- We must follow the rules
- We must avoid ambiguity
- To err is wrong and unforgiveable
- Play is frivolous
- Don't be foolish
Creativity takes flexiblity and stepping outside your comfort zone. Be careful that you encourage open thinking and avoid the thoughts and phrases mentioned about which can bring to a halt the new ideas that may help your strategic planning, value engineering, problem solving and process improvement.
About the Author
Denis Leonard
Denis Leonard has a degree in construction engineering, and an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in quality management. He is a Fellow of the American Society for Quality and has been an Examiner for the Baldrige National Quality Award Board of Examiners, a Judge on the International Team Excellence Competition, and a Lead Judge on the National Housing Quality Award. He has experience as a quality manager in the home building industry as well as construction engineer, site manager, and in training, auditing, and consulting with expertise in strategic and operational quality improvement initiatives. His work has achieved national quality, environmental, and safety management awards for clients.