Psychophysics
Interview with John Adair, Author of The Art of Creative Thinking
How to be Innovative and Develop Great Ideas
By Vern Burkhardt
See or make connections between ideas that seem far apart, look to nature for models and principles to solve problems, make the familiar strange and the strange familiar, cultivate curiosity, ask lots of questions, observe, be a good listener, and read to generate questions. Reading without reflecting is comparable to eating without digesting. These are but some of the many useful bits of advice that Dr. John Adair offers in The Art of Creative Thinking.
Dr. Adair was kind enough to answer some questions that occurred to me as I read his book.
1. Question: You have written books about time management, teambuilding, strategic leadership, growing leaders, decision making and problem solving, effective leadership and management and many others. What motivated you to write a book about the art of creative thinking?
Dr. Adair:
Two reasons. First, on a personal level I am always looking for ways to enhance my own creativity, so this book is a record of my own journey. Secondly, I believe that creative thinking (having ideas) and innovation (bringing them to market) are vital today for any form of human enterprise.
2. Question: To be a great leader do you have to excel as a creative thinker?
Dr. Adair:
You certainly have to be a clear thinker with a good strategic mind. A great leader, in the qualitative rather than historical sense of 'great', is creative, simply because excellent leadership and creativity are two sides of the same coin. It’s about inspiring and drawing the greatness out of people, releasing creative talents, building teams and - ultimately - making a better world. What could be more creative than that?
3. Question:
I can’t think of anything that could be more creative than making a better world. What would you recommend to young managers who aspire to gain a reputation in their
How to be Innovative and Develop Great Ideas
By Vern Burkhardt
See or make connections between ideas that seem far apart, look to nature for models and principles to solve problems, make the familiar strange and the strange familiar, cultivate curiosity, ask lots of questions, observe, be a good listener, and read to generate questions. Reading without reflecting is comparable to eating without digesting. These are but some of the many useful bits of advice that Dr. John Adair offers in The Art of Creative Thinking.
Dr. Adair was kind enough to answer some questions that occurred to me as I read his book.
1. Question: You have written books about time management, teambuilding, strategic leadership, growing leaders, decision making and problem solving, effective leadership and management and many others. What motivated you to write a book about the art of creative thinking?
Dr. Adair:
Two reasons. First, on a personal level I am always looking for ways to enhance my own creativity, so this book is a record of my own journey. Secondly, I believe that creative thinking (having ideas) and innovation (bringing them to market) are vital today for any form of human enterprise.
2. Question: To be a great leader do you have to excel as a creative thinker?
Dr. Adair:
You certainly have to be a clear thinker with a good strategic mind. A great leader, in the qualitative rather than historical sense of 'great', is creative, simply because excellent leadership and creativity are two sides of the same coin. It’s about inspiring and drawing the greatness out of people, releasing creative talents, building teams and - ultimately - making a better world. What could be more creative than that?
3. Question:
I can’t think of anything that could be more creative than making a better world. What would you recommend to young managers who aspire to gain a reputation in their