I am a public relations/communications consultant who has been tasked with running a 2-hour workshop for a group of government communications people on how to think creatively. Does anyone have any suggestions for ice-breaker activities or exercises that I can use to illustrate the power of creative thinking?

-- Robyn Osgood (robyno@magma.ca), February 28, 2001

Answers

Robyn,

I would suggest checking out Fast Company's index of stories about innovation and creativity at http://www.fastcompany.com/online/resources/innovation.html

Hope that helps, Anni

-- Anni Layne (alayne@fastcompany.com), March 02, 2001.

Try puddle-jumping. It goes beyond simple brainstorming by getting people to think in relation to other fields of study. One way you could do this is everyone could keep their real name and you hand out cards with job titles and job descriptions. Each person should have a card that is not what they do from day to day. Then have everyone introduce themselves and what they do. Then pose a question: "The Governor was quoted on last night's news saying … and you respond by…" or something like that.

Also, in terms of creative thinking, my personal opinion is that people can be considered creative doing very small things. Is it creative thinking you want these people to do or creative problem-solving? Are you trying to foster an entreprenuerial spirit in the group or help to apply more creativity to their everyday, work-a-day lives?

Just some thoughts.

Patrick

-- Patrick McGowan (patch@dtgnet.com), February 28, 2001.