The Dynamic Balance
At the heart of Creative Problem Solving is The Dynamic Balance. In fact, at the heart of creativity is The Dynamic Balance. As a process, the first step, after gathering information of course, is to diverge. An exploration of what might be, is always how we begin in being creative. Creativity is iterative in exploring and determining outcome.
This key piece,The Dynamic Balance, is missing from society writ large. It wasn’t always this way though. The European Renaissance and the US Space Age are just two highlights of a cultural affinity and dedication toward what might be. As a practice, scientists can only make discoveries after much exploration, research and failure. Entrepreneurs can only succeed at innovation if they are first deliberately creative.
Sadly, curiosity as a way into learning has been in decline for decades, resulting as a malaise for problem solving. It is well known that creativity is taught out of us by age 10. And because The Dynamic Balance is so overlooked, it would be really great to billboard the good news about creativity all over the world. Imagine this plastered all over the airwaves:
Creativity can be learned! Start with The Dynamic Balance and you’re on your way.
In a more scaled back public announcement, here’s the deal: to be creative is to diverge first ALWAYS before converging as a matter of process. Period. EXCLAMATION POINT!
Diverging before converging is known as The Dynamic Balance in creativity and is an integral part of every stage of the CPS process.
Starting with The Executive Step, CPS begins with gathering information, a divergent activity. What might be relevant? What information needs to be included from both the head and the heart? Gathering data comes from open ended, creative questions and creative statement starters.
A survey of data points and emotional awareness around this situation are all contributory factors in making a diagnosis.
Once data are collected only then is it appropriate to converge, determine what stands out.
This process reveals key data as the beginning point for the CPS process to begin in clarifying the challenge.
