How do you go about having original ideas?
They sure as hell don’t just fall from the sky.
And just because they might be the most ‘creative’ person in your team, doesn’t mean they have the best ideas.
To teach your people to be more creative, more challenging, more unique in their thinking, start with looking at your bad habits and reverse them:
Keep your meetings short, let everyone know beforehand what is expected by the end of that session.. and find somewhere inspiring to have the session, with plenty of natural light and snacks
Take it easy – the more reading and research you do into your brief, the more likely the idea will emerge
If you get stuck, leave it for 24 hours, do something else and come back to it
Sounds silly, but try and get bored. Numerous studies have shown that boredom can trigger creative thoughts. Eg. Travel without looking at your phone, do the washing up, do the ironing, go birdwatching. Let your mind wander.
Use your research to inspire not copy; never settle for old or rehashed ideas. It’s bad for your brand and bad for your soul.
As hard as it is, challenge yourself to avoid using the phrases “My concern is” and “Yes, but”. The most stupid ideas often lead to the most interesting. Encourage madness.
Finally, over-thinking is over-cooking. Ever wondered why the best dishes you’ve prepared in the kitchen came about through simplicity and freedom? A couple of ingredients you weren’t sure (and didn’t care) went together but you cooked it anyway?
Next time you’re stuck for inspiration, think of what you can do less of, instead of what you can do more of.