Business Innovation ? the Value of Role Play

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation whilst innovation can be defined as idea selection, development and commercialisation.

There are other useful definitions in this field, for example, creativity can be defined as consisting of a number of ideas, a number of diverse ideas and a number of novel ideas.

There are distinct processes that enhance problem identification and idea generation and, similarly, distinct processes that enhance idea selection, development and commercialisation. Whilst there is no sure fire route to commercial success, these processes improve the probability that good ideas will be generated and selected and that investment in developing and commercialising those ideas will not be wasted.

the value of Role Play

One of the useful concepts in Creativity Management is the use of role play. The basis of this is an awareness of archetypes ? stereotypical characters such as Mentor, Goddess, Hippy and the Guru etc. Jung argues that archetypes are universal and come through most strongly in our dreams. Mask and Trance studies show that when we put on a mask, we take on the characteristics of what we perceive that mask (or associated individual) to represent.

In a study in the British Journal of Psychology, businessmen scored low on creativity when they were asked to be themselves, but scored much higher when asked to pretend they were happy-go-lucky hippies.

Masks remove the evaluation apprehension that is associated with block. Wearing masks allows individuals to generate otherwise unoriginal or unintelligent ideas because "it is not them" that is doing it.

Role play ? pretending how a mentor, sailor, guru or other would answer a question ? allows the individual to tap into a rich source of subconscious tacit knowledge.

These and other topics are covered in depth in the MBA dissertation on Managing Creativity & Innovation, which can be purchased (along with a Creativity and Innovation DIY Audit, Good Idea Generator Software and Power Point Presentation) from http://www.managing-creativity.com/

You can also receive a regular, free newsletter by entering your email address at this site.

You are free to reproduce this article as long as no changes are made and the author's name and site URL are retained.

Kal Bishop MBA, is a management consultant based in London, UK. He has consulted in the visual media and software industries and for clients such as Toshiba and Transport for London. He has led Improv, creativity and innovation workshops, exhibited artwork in San Francisco, Los Angeles and London and written a number of screenplays. He is a passionate traveller. He can be reached on http://www.managing-creativity.com/

---

How To Be An Innovator In A World Of Change

Innovators are opportunity-oriented.What's the hidden opportunity in that problem? Where... Read More

Peace Alliance vs. Fighting a Battle

We read in the press about the "War on Drugs"... Read More

Creativity Management ? Theres Nothing New Under the Sun

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Mindfulness and Beliefs: Irrationally Yours

I can't help it--I am a confirmed neuroscience geek.So I... Read More

I Just Want to be Free - I Just Want to be Me!

It was a sunny Saturday in April 2003 in Myrtle... Read More

Innovation Problems and The flow of Thought

The most progressive Think Tanks, Brain Trusts, research facilities in... Read More

Business Innovation ? the Value of Role Play

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Intuition: Your Best Career Coach

Since I derive most of my life lessons from reading... Read More

Success Tip From Yachting - Try To Fix The Problem Yourself

At 28, Ellen MacArthur is a world record holder. In... Read More

Enhancing Vulnerability To Master Perfectionism

One of the ways a person must advance past perfectionism... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Fast Feedback

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

The 99 Percent Rule

It's Friday night, you're sitting at a restaurant, and as... Read More

Owning Your Power

Owning your power, your power to be real, to be... Read More

Creativity and Innovation Management ? Joy and Sustainability

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Thousands of Failures, but Thousands of Patents

Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before he revolutionized the... Read More

Make Ideas Your (& Their) Own: Persuade Yourself and Others

Have you ever watched a TV program where the supporting... Read More

Innovation Management ? moving past the wall

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

How To Benefit from The Power of New Innovations in the Year 2005

How many times have you heard the phrase "knowledge is... Read More

Innovation Management ? The Harsh Facts Of Life For All Innovators

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

12 Tips for Taking Smart, Calculated Risks

Most of us know we should take more risks. But... Read More

The Hidden Superpowers Of Your Mind

The mind is an infinite wonder. It has the fantastic... Read More

Innovation Management ? Developing Ideas Within A Framework

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Business Innovation ? Eliciting Talent

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

All Fortunes Begin With an Idea!

A new idea is merely the combination of two or... Read More

Knowledge Gains in Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Innovation Management ? Isolating Problems and Implementing Solutions

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Create An Idea Journal

When I first heard Jim Rohn talk about the importance... Read More

Imagination

Imagination is the unreal, real state of mind, where all... Read More

Business Innovation ? Blocking: Saying YES or NO

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Innovation Management ? predicting winners

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Humankinds Greatest Inventions

There are a number of amazing inventions that have been... Read More

Business Innovation ? Radical and Disruptive Innovation

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More

Think Outside The Cup and Saucer

There were four of us at dinner. Three ordered "regular"... Read More