Creativity Central [Marty Baker]

At Inotivity, we call them ten-minute katas (a Japanese term describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements).  Today, kata is often used as a metaphor for a routine or pattern of thinking that leads to various levels of mastery.

It’s a provocative way to jump start creativity.

Hand out a pencil to everyone in your group or meeting. Ask everyone to look at the pencil and think about its attributes, qualities and benefits.  On a large note pad or white board write down the group’s ideas.

In creative problem solving, the technique is typically called object linking or forced analogy. 

The idea is to see how the qualities of the pencil can lead you to new ideas about a different problem or challenge.

Tom Wujec has a great example of the pencil experiment in his book Five Star Mind. He applies the experiment to developing ideas to advancing your career. (See graphic below)

Let’s take four typical responses. Eraser. Wood. Point. Six Sides.

Eraser.  How might you rub out or remove the things that hold you back.  What can past mistakes teach you about moving forward?

Wood.  Determine your inner substance or strength. What are you strongest qualities or skills? Conversely, what are your weaknesses?

Point.  Give yourself a strong objective.  What is the point of what you’re doing?

Six sides.  Hexagonal.  What six things could you do right now to improve your skill sets?  Or to get you noticed?

The big idea is to make a habit of linking objects to ideas.  It could be AA battery, a coin, a watch, a smart phone.  Literally, anything.

So make object linking a ritual. Make it a kata.  It’s a simple, but powerful way to begin developing a creative mindset.

Thanks to Tom Wujec and Doubleday Publishing.