Ingenuity: A Clear Thinking Process

As the world is progressing with untraceable pace, the machines have positioned a great place in our lives. We all use mobile phones, tablets, laptops, wearables, smart watches….With VR and AI people will be replaced in many aspects, areas and in many industries. But, what makes us different from machines? Our own CREATIVITY. Our open and unlimited brain that has millions of ideas per second. I thought that the great scientists and entrepreneurs are some kind of genius with above-average intelligence. I always wondered how do “they” come up with the greatest idea of all the time, that changes and disruptions the world in totally new direction. But, now I reveal my long time wondering. Every human brain has the power to come up with a disruptive idea that will matter in the world. It is all about science and knowledge. Creativity is a brain process and when we speak in terms of entrepreneurship and creative problem solving, there are 3 steps that we need to follow to our “genius” idea.

Define. Discover. Determinate.

First, the definition of the problem. This is the preparation step, where we examine the chosen problem to its finest details. Here we also repeat the 3 steps. Define. Discover. Determinate.

1. Define who is affected by the problem and what is the impact. Analyse the evidence and describe the roots.
2. Then, discover the structure, the roots of the problem and the complexity. If we ask the question WHY we may get few different answers and few different causes, which leads to more problems. More problems = more opportunities for a solution.
3. Last, determine how to attempt a solution. Define criteria for success, the resource constraints and the priorities. Set sub-goals, if possible. Determination of consequences of a partial solution will help in the process of finding a solution.

Second, the discovery. 3 steps: Define. Discover. Determinate. In this phase, the brain is set to divergent thinking. Easy and relaxed, getting as many ideas as possible.

1. To define, a clear explanation of the problem is needed. Short, concise and clear statement of the problem. Also a strategy for tackling the problem- is it a complex or a simple problem, how to tackle the problem?
2. Then, to discover the brain must produce a lot of ideas. Think out of the box, off the wall, challenge assumptions and break stereotypes. If the human brain didn’t challenge the assumption: “The cars is driven by driver”, we would not have had a driverless car today. But, here we are. Driverless cars, Virtual Reality, Trips to Mars………… Your brain is limitless in your imagination. Unlearn what you know and start from beginning. Distractions are excluded from consciousness, self-consciousness disappears. The sense of time becomes distorted. Use analogies, keywords, visuals. Everything that tickles your imagination. It is very useful to seek analogies from other domain, totally different that our defined problem. Actually, it may be the same problem only in different aspect and different area. Also, analogies from different cultures and nationalities can solve great problems. When you have plenty of ideas, compare alternatives. The lateral thinking must produce non-obvious and challenging ideas.
3. Last, the determination must judge the divergent thinking- have all combinations been exploded, can ideas be merged and combined, does a new solution emerge? Reflect on nature and diversity. While in this phase, representing and re-structuring of the ideas, surely lead to life in “imagined future”. Imagining what may happen when the ideas are applied is the final step of the problem-solving process.

Last, the determination. This is convergent brain thinking. Quality rather than quantity. This step must produce a final solution. To get the solution, repeat the 3 steps again.

1. Define categories to sort and sift ideas. Also, define 3–4 concepts for final evaluation. Separate the ideas, sort them in categories and evaluate them.
2. Discover. Evaluate the ideas according to the criteria for success defined in the definition of the problem. Use the constraints to evaluate and compare the alternatives. At the end, choose the best solution. There challenges to consider: a distinction between optimal and acceptable, how the solution matches the goals, which solution has the most realistic chances for success.
3. Determinate: look into the future. Here, we must prepare for the implementation phase. So, examine the barriers for acceptance- competitors, protection of IP, consequences to current organisation, customers, market barriers, gatekeepers. Do you have plan ‘B’ and ‘C’? Can we monitor implementation? Do we have resources to cope with obstacles? Present a clear proposal of the of the solution. At the end, produce the implementation plan- put the idea into action. After going through this structured thinking process a clear outcome must be produced:

• A deeper understanding of the situation/problem.
• A wider exploration of the possibilities.
• A practical prospect of success: a realistic “imagined future”

“Genius” is a word which may be better used to describe a moment rather than a person- a moment of creativity which takes us by surprise through its sheer quality.

Every one of us is capable of moments of “genius”, so be prepared to recognize them and take an action.

We can change the world, can`t we?

References :

1. Kirkham, P, Mosey ,S. Binks, M. (2011) Ingenuity in Practice
2. Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1996) Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention