CHAPTER 13 On Creative Spirit
What prompted Edison to consider bamboo?
The idea of using bamboo originated from Edison’s recollection of
examining a few threads from a bamboo fishing pole, while relaxing on
a trip. Astute readers will, of course, see in this a clear resonance of the
importance of priming the brain. The bamboo was the missing piece of
the jigsaw and, as always seems to be the case in such discoveries, wasn’t a
piece of the jigsaw supplied in the ‘Create a Light Bulb’ puzzle box.STRaTegieS
Here are three techniques you can adopt to maximize idea returns by ex-
ploring ways of shaping and rethinking teams on the fly.- Find square pegs for round holes
- Reverse the hierarchy
- Ban the culture of “They”
find Square Pegs for Round holes
Sometimes it helps to find someone who doesn’t quite fit neatly into place.
An outsider can offer new ways of seeing things within a discipline. If
you’ve been trained to always do something in a particular way, it can be
difficult, if not impossible, to see things from a different perspective.
One way to circumvent such behavior is to actively hire team members
who don’t fit. Sometimes the most valuable employee can be the one who,
on the surface, appears highly unproductive, but who acts as a valuable
catalyst for change. It’s easy to find people who can follow instructions and
get the job done on time and within budget. Creative catalysts who can
disrupt innovation, however, are harder to find. If you find a perfect square
peg, hang on to them — they’ll more than repay you through their unique
insight and perspective.