Creativity is an essential part of innovation work. However, a classic belief that “I’m not creative at all” often stands in the way of many people. Today I would like to show you a simple exercise that is suitable for any group and can have a big impact, especially at the beginning of a creative phase.
The prompt “Name things that are yellow and edible!” is a great way to show untrained creative groups how the three phases of idea generation happen in the brain and can ultimately lead to new, creative ideas. This creates a common understanding within a group, an “aha” experience and an easy to understand example.
At the beginning of the workshop or meeting, explain to the participants that “we now want to approach our creativity with a little exercise”. Then set the task: “Name things that are yellow and edible!”
Accept all answers without evaluations and simply ask from time to time: “What else is yellow and edible?” (2-3 minutes should be enough.)
End the round and use the “ideas” mentioned to illustrate which 3 phases always take place in our brain when we generate ideas.
1st phase – the classic phase:
Whenever you ask the question about yellow, edible things, you get answers like: “Banana, lemon, egg yolk …” – these are classics. These are ideas that don’t require our brains to work hard. The brain is one of the “laziest” organs in our body; it doesn’t want to exert itself at all. So the first “ideas” that come to the brain are not difficult – recognized patterns are recalled.
2nd phase – the knowledge phase:
After the classics are out, there is a short break in the group. The brains go into the next mode, tap into existing knowledge and the participants listen to each other – they let themselves be inspired. Suddenly, pasta and cheese varieties are also listed or things that can be made from potatoes, for example.
3rd phase – the creative phase:
The classics are gone and the knowledge is also gone – so now the brain has to get really creative, it has to make new combinations/connections. You might now smear a strawberry with mustard to make it yellow and edible.
This is precisely the phase we need to reach for creative ideas. That’s why it’s important to make people aware of how their brains work and that the chance of a creative idea coming up in the first 10 to 30 attempts is relatively low – precisely because we know so much. Have fun trying them out!
