Gimmicks does not mean you are creative.

I was reading an article this week in the Wall Street Journal “Boring Meetings? Get Out the Water Guns: Small-Business Owners Find Creative Ways to Make the Most of Conference-Room Time as Downturn Demands Efficiency.” The second paragraph reads: “The unconventional assignment—in which workers were asked to use the crayons and paper to brainstorm a customer-incentive program—was part of an effort to make staff meetings more efficient,”

I am sorry, put these techniques may have a place in some meetings, but efficiency is not one of them.  Toys and gimmicks may be fun and help reduce stress but they are just that “gimmicks”. Those of you who have worked with me may see a contraction here.  I have been known on many occasions to use crayons (especially in my True Colors Team workshops) and even finger paints (but that is much messier).  Sometimes I use them to help very logical left brained people tap into their right brain.  Often it is to move them out of their comfort zone.  The purpose of these techniques are clear and I explain them to my clients before embarking on their use.  The article mentioned does contain some resources to improve lateral thinking but it is important to remember when to use them to the full advantage.

Here is my list of 5 surprisingly uncommon common skills for creativity in meetings:

1. Collective problem solving – knowledgeable use of tools such as brainstorming and mind-mapping. It is amazing how many people think they know how to brainstorm and don’t.
2. Debate, Dissension and Dialogue – I am not talking here about being a devil’s advocate or contentious for the sake of being difficult. That is just another gimmick.  Having the ability to present both sides of the argument forces divergent thinking. It opens up conversation and not the opposite, which many people believe.  In 2003 I was in a workshop with Peter Block. Two things he said have stuck with me: “‘No’ is the beginning of a conversation or commitment.” “Until I say ‘no’, my yeses don’t matter.”
3. Asking thoughtful questions – By default this requires active listening skills to start.  If it is readily answered – it probably wasn’t worth asking.  In the words of Albert Einstein:  “I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”
4. Play – I don’t mean gimmicks; I mean genuine play.  Keeping it light and using good humour is a great source of creativity.  Take a break.  Think possibilities not problems to free up energy. (Most importantly come refreshed – get enough sleep. The old adage “sleep on it” has value.)
5. Chairing a Meeting -  Leaders who know how to run a good meeting have to employ solid facilitation skills. For example they:

• are neutral
• establish ground rules
• have agendas suitable for the meeting
• hold the space (create safety by building trust)
• track time and know when it is time to move on
• identify action items by whom and when

Stick to the basics. Forget the gimmicks and start working on the essential and basic skills of good meetings. Once you have master these five skills then you can try experimenting.  If you still want some parlour tricks, I would be pleased to come in and facilitate a day with your team.

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