Offers one of only two masters' degree programs in creativity in the world.
Your creativity on a particular task comes from your (personal or group) (1) knowlege of the problem, (2) unconstrained imagination, and (3) your judgment of the possible solutions you come up with.
Two styles of creativity - adaptive, and innovative
Adaptive style tends to work inside existing systems, improving them. Adaptive people might hang on to an idea or system too long. Precise, reliable, efficient, disciplined and prudent, conforming, dependable, "immune to boredom".
Innovative style tends to challenge existing systems. They might give up on an idea or system too soon. Undisciplined, thinking tangentially, approaching tasks from unexpected angles, queries assumptions, manipulates the problem, abrasive, irreverent of group views, finds detailed work boring.
Innovators see adaptors as compliant, stuffy, wedded to rules, dull.
Adaptors see innovators as neurotic, insensitive, trouble makers, unfocussed.
Successful organizations need both styles. Strong groups have both styles present.
We filled out a style questionaire. My creativity style is adaptive, more so than the group average.
Brainstorming was invented by Alex Osborne, trustee at UB in 1954. Also sometimes called, "the Buffalo method".
Brainstorming at a meeting: First, all present must understand the problem. Next brainstorm ideas. Follow these rules:
Once complete, then evaluate the ideas. Use the following constructive, group self-esteem building method: ALUO
Limitations - List the weaknesses. Phrase them in "How to" form, e.g. How would we build that?
Unique qualities - List what's different about this idea
Overcome Limitations - Starting with the biggest limitation, discuss ways to overcome it