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In episode 56 of “The JoyPowered™ Workspace Podcast,” JoDee and Susan discuss using creativity to solve problems. Topics include how to become more creative, how to help others be more creative, and why adults aren’t using much of their creativity. A listener asks about staying connected to former employees.

JoDee shared her experience with creativity early on in her career, where she learned that creativity is a learned behavior skill that can be developed. In our fast-paced world, it is easy for us to not use creativity due to other options. Using the internet to Google or YouTube search a solution can be beneficial but does not allow us the chance to be creative.

Dr. Min Basadur created a creative problem solving called SIMPLEX and has written several books on his process, creativity, and innovation. JoDee shares three key things that she learned about creativity from being certified in his program. Basadur suggests that adults use less than 10% of their creativity in any given day. The SIMPLEX process is composed of three stages: clarity, ideate, develop, and implement. This proven process can help with a wide variety of problems.

Susan brings up the idea of thinking about one’s mood elevator. This is being conscious about where your mood is when you are faced with certain situations. As you elevate, you start to see and think broader and when you’re at the top it is easier for you to be more creative. One can become more creative by focusing on what he or she is good at. JoDee and Susan discuss how focusing on your individual strengths can improve your ability to be creative. Many of us begin to become less creative as we enter Junior High School, and JoDee and Susan explain some reasons why that may be. JoDee and Susan discuss how we can encourage others to be more creative by doing things like encouraging them to think bigger, to shift their view of the situation, and to brainstorm.

JoDee and Susan discuss Harvard Business Review case study on a hotel that had just opened on the East Coast. The hotel was faced with a consistent problem and had to think outside of the box about what the cause of the problem may be. The case study reiterates the fact that we should not just jump to a solution before we identify the right problem.

In this episode’s listener question, a listener asks, “My boss gets really angry when someone leaves the organization, regardless of the reason. I think it is important to stay connected to former employees and not to burn bridges. What do you think?” In the news, JoDee and Susan discuss a SHRM article on Corporate Social Responsibility.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Purple Ink
• Susan Tinder White Consulting
• JoyPowered™: Intentionally Creating an Inspired Workspace by JoDee Curtis
• The JoyPowered™ Family by JoDee Curtis and Denise McGonigal
• The JoyPowered™ Team by Erin Brothers, JoDee Curtis, Peggy Hogan, Denise McGonigal, Laura North, Susan Tinder White, and Liz Zirkelbach
• Dr. Min Basadur and the SIMPLEX process
• “Are You Solving the Right Problems?”