Overview
Finding creative solutions to problems in the workplace is no longer optional: creative solutions drive growth. Anytime you ask, “How might we improve this situation?” you are about to engage in creative problem solving. This course is designed to build your abilities to think critically and strategically by engaging methods that enhance your ability to generate creative ideas. It introduces tools that can help you rate and rank the ideas you find most relevant and then suggests implementation methodologies. It is designed to apply immediately to your working (and personal) life. The course focuses on understanding the nature of creativity, the phases that you will encounter when you creatively approach a problem, the skills you can master, and the methodologies you might use to implement good ideas.
Outline
This course is divided 4 Lessons:
- Lesson 1: The Nature of Creativity and Innovation
- Lesson 2: The Process of Creative Discovery
- Lesson 3: Discovery Skills
- Lesson 4: Innovation and Design Thinking
Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- recall why leading for creative outcomes is imperative for today’s organizations;
- identify the conditions that can enhance creativity and ideas generation;
- identify the keystone skill involved in creative thinking;
- apply four additional cognitive discovery skills that are essential to leading creativity and innovation;
- practice integrative thinking to reframe an either/or dilemma into a win/win solution;
- implement innovative idea-generating strategies that can help guide the creativity of others; and
- critique the merits of design thinking for generating, selecting, testing and implementing creative ideas
Evaluation
Your grade will be based on the successful completion of 4 assignments and on your participation in moderated group discussions.
| Activity | Weight |
| Participation in Discussions | 40% |
| Assignment 1 | 15% |
| Assignment 2 | 15% |
| Assignment 3 | 15% |
| Assignment 4 | 15% |
| Total | 100% |
To receive a passing grade in this course, you must meet these minimum standards:
- receive a minimum of 60 % on the participation component; and
- receive an average grade of 60 % over all course component
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Textbook: Riel, J., & Martin, R. (2017). Creating great choices: The leader’s guide to integrative thinking.Harvard Business Review Press (e-text)
DRR Readings