Problem-solving with creativity and innovation

Problem-solving is a difficult process, and even a challenge, for many people. Therefore, one of the main characteristics, sought by companies, is professionals who have the ability to solve problems.

A very important point for these professionals is to learn and develop the capacity for innovation and creativity, innovative solutions that can help achieve extraordinary results.

Are you curious to know how to develop a creative and innovative solution to problems? Come with us!

In this article, you will learn:

• What is the meaning of creativity and innovation?
• How to define a problem and identify its root cause;
• Why are creativity and innovation important in solving problems?
• Problem-solving techniques using creativity and innovation;
• Bonus content: Interview with Natalie Nixon

What is the meaning of creativity and innovation?

Creativity and innovation are concepts that can be easily confused. Creativity is defined as the ability to create, invent and develop new things, with originality and authenticity, from the imagination. Innovation is putting creativity into action.

Contrary to what many believe, creativity is not a natural skill that only a few people possess. It is a capacity that can be developed and improved to add value to the environment in which it is inserted.

When we talk about projects, we think about something of great magnitude. This is a mistake, because a project may be involved with small day-to-day activities. We can cite some examples in solving internal problems, negotiating with suppliers, delivering products, implementing systems and strategies. The correct management of the projects brings benefits to the organization, being able to be used in problem-solving. Good project management defines precisely the decision-making processes and also identify causes and effects.

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How to define a problem and identify its root cause

Setting a problem is not always an easy job. The first step to this definition is to identify if the problem is real too, from this, detect its root cause and find a creative solution to solve it.

An interesting tool to assist in this process is to bring together the work team that is involved in the problem in question to analyze the following points:

• Note: What is the main difficulty that is being faced and needs to be solved?
• Diverge: for whom is this a problem?
• Shaping: what social/cultural factors shape this problem?
• Highlight: what evidence do you have that shows that this is a significant problem?
• Redesign: Can you think about this issue differently? Can you rephrase it?

By asking these questions in a group, different points of view will arise, expanding the limited vision that a single person would have when trying to analyze them. This process allows a clearer and more objective definition of the magnitude of the challenge to be solved and its root cause.

Why are creativity and innovation important in solving problems?

According to the World Economic Forum, the ability to solve problems ranks second on the list of the most growing demands by companies by 2025.

In addition, the following characteristics are part of the TOP 15 of the skills most sought after by companies for 2025, according to the World Economic Forum:

• Analytical thinking and innovation, occupy the first place;
• Resolution of complex problems, in the third position;
• Creativity, originality, and initiative, occupy fifth place.

Encountering challenges and obstacles is inevitable, both in the professional career and in the personal life of anyone. But knowing how to deal with them and being able to overcome them in a creative and innovative way is a great differential for you and your organization to stand out.

A professional who knows how to use creativity and innovation in problem-solving and has good communication skills will have his place guaranteed in the labor market!

Do you want to learn how to develop these skills? Keep reading this article, and I will show you some techniques so that you can solve problems in a creative and innovative way in your work environment.

Problem-solving techniques using creativity and innovation

There are several techniques used to solve problems using creativity and innovation, such as inverted brainstorming, Design Thinking, and Lean Inception. Although these techniques were not created specifically for problem-solving, they fit this very well!

I'll explain to you a little bit about each one of them!

Inverted brainstorming

Brainstorming is a technique based on reverse psychology, which proposes to individuals to think about actions that worsen the problem to be solved, rather than proposing solutions to it.

In general, people find it easier to see problems than to propose solutions. In this way, with the certainty of what should not be done, the resolution of the problem becomes clearer and more objective, through this creative and innovative tool.

Design Thinking

Design Thinking is an approach used by companies, which uses designer tools to create solutions that are more desirable to people, with a focus on the user. It is a strategic process, using creativity and innovation to better understand the pain of the personae to create products that are more relevant to it.

Bonus content: Interview with Natalie Nixon

Being a professional who seeks to innovate in his processes and bring creativity to the work environment where he lives is fundamental so that there is a great recognition and appreciation of his work.

This is due to the great need on the part of companies, for employees who are willing to innovate and create challenges in their work routine.

Creativity and innovation within a business context can be responsible for changing the cycle of a company, bringing more value, and the ability to change processes and services that are outdated, for example.

To discuss a little more about this subject, we recommend that you watch a video full of content, with the participation of Thiago Coutinho, the CEO of the Brazilian company Grupo Voitto, who invites Natalie Nixon, author of "The Creativity Leap" and Creativity Strategist to talk together about the importance of a creative and innovative environment.

Check out the full video interview (or read the transcript below):

Transcript:

Lecture 1: The Creativity Leap: How to be more creative in the workplace?

Thiago Coutinho: Hello, Natalie! How 's going?

Natalie: “Hello! How are you doing?”

Thiago Coutinho: Great! And you?

Natalie: “Very good! Now, I speak Português!”

Thiago Coutinho: Oh! That’s very good! I expected to talk in English with you.

…….

Natalie: “I'm really excited to be part of the conversation and contribute to all the work you're doing, so…congratulations!”

Thiago Coutinho: That’s amazing! So, it’s an enormous pleasure to be here with you.

Thiago Coutinho: So, it's a great pleasure to have you here. So, nowadays, we think that creative innovation and thinking differently are becoming more and more important, even with these pandemic moments and all the things changing every time.

Thiago Coutinho: So, when you talk about creativity, the main question, the first question that presses through our minds is: is it possible to develop it or do you need to be born with it?

Natalie: “That's, that's a wonderful question. That's a great question. And in my view, in my opinion, it is something that we all have as humans that we're born with. And it's something that we must exercise. 

It's something that we must develop. So if you think of your own children, if you have small children of your own, if you think back to your own childhood, it was so easy to be creative, and I should probably explain how I define creativity. Creativity is our capacity, our ability to toggle between wonder and rigor to solve problems. That's how I think about creativity. And therefore if we think about creativity in that way, we see children always are full of wonderful curiosity.

Audacity, they ask big questions, they're also okay with just slowing down sometimes. Rigor we get a little better at as we get older, but it's about focus. It's about repetition. It's about learning the fundamentals. 

So if we think about creativity in this way then we understand that artists aren't the only ones who are creative designers are not the only ones who are creative. They are just excellent at manifesting the ambiguity of the process that creativity requires. So the best engineers, the best entrepreneurs, the best teachers, and farmers are super creative. 

So in some ways, the question you asked is a bit of a trick question because, yes, it is something we were all born with, but sadly our educational system, it sometimes teaches creativity out of the way we are encouraged to learn.”

Thiago Coutinho:  I know that in your book “The Creativity Leap”, you talk about their methodology, three “I’s” creativity. Could you please tell us more about it?

Natalie: “It's important to understand that we can't just say, “okay, toggle between wonder and rigor to solve problems and you're creative”. You have to be intentional. You have to have a purpose in practicing creativity, and that's why we need the three I’s. So the three I’s are inquiry, improvisation, and the third is intuition. So, we have these three things that I call the three I’s that help us to really be very mindful and intentional about engaging in wonder and rigor. So what is curious? We can get better at curiosity, we can get better at asking why? We can get better at asking because what if it's an amazing question, then we can get better at asking how?”

The interview with Natalie Nixon offers a very strategic view of creativity and innovation within the workplace, offering points of improvement and insights so that professionals seeking knowledge on the subject can delve deeper and deeper!

Check out the rest of the interview and discover the importance and benefits of living together in a creative and innovative environment! And be sure to check out our other content.

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