Creative Thinking & Problem Solving Training
According to the World Economic Institute, “creativity will become one of the top three skills workers will need in 2020” and beyond. A myriad of new products, new tech tools, and changing processes make it necessary for employees to become more creative in their thinking and approach to cope with an ever-shifting marketplace.
Target Audience:
Managers, teams, and individual contributors – anyone who must apply new and novel thinking to a challenge or take advantage of a business opportunity.
The Problem:
Creativity is most often associated with individuals who come up with the most ideas. When asked in large sessions who think of themselves as creative, only a third of the audience will raise their hands. Therein lies the problem. In fact, we’re all creative. But, we’re not all creative in the same way. Each of us has distinct preferences for various steps in the creative problem-solving process. Creative skills can be learned. The brain, like a muscle, can be developed.
Our Solution:
To Learn to…
- Define creativity in terms of a process with sequential steps
- Identify the characteristics of each step of the creative thinking process
- Strengths and contributions
- Blind spots and ways they annoy others
- Assess personal creative preferences
- Gain clarity about how to get the best from oneself and others throughout the creative process
- Reflect on personal creative skill development
- Facilitate creative problem-solving to uncover powerful insights in less time
Course Outline:
- Complete the FourSight® Innovative Thinking assessment (prework)
- Create a shared understanding of what true creativity is
- Overview of the four steps in the creative thinking process
- Create prototypes to illustrate the behaviors/characteristics of each preference
- Review assessment results to better understand oneself
- Compare preferences with another person to better understand how you might leverage one another
- Examine various team profiles – their strengths and struggles based on FourSight® preferences
- Build a personal action plan to gain skill in a part of the process you spend less time in
Creative Thinking & Problem Solving Training FAQs
What is creative thinking and problem-solving training?
Creative thinking and problem-solving training help employees develop structured approaches to generating ideas, analyzing challenges, and identifying innovative solutions. Instead of relying on spontaneous creativity, participants learn a repeatable process that improves how they approach problems, collaborate with others, and uncover opportunities in a fast-changing business environment.
Who should attend creative thinking and problem-solving training?
This training is designed for managers, teams, and individual contributors who need to think creatively, solve problems, and adapt to change. It is especially valuable for employees responsible for innovation, process improvement, product development, or decision-making in environments where new ideas and fresh perspectives are essential.
Can creativity really be learned?
Yes. Creativity is a skill that can be developed through practice and structured learning. This training helps participants understand that creativity is not limited to certain individuals but is a process anyone can improve. By learning specific techniques and frameworks, employees can strengthen their ability to think creatively and approach challenges more effectively.
What is the creative thinking process taught in this training?
The training introduces a structured creative thinking process with defined steps that guide participants from idea generation to solution development. Participants learn the characteristics of each phase, how to contribute effectively at each stage, and how to move ideas forward collaboratively and productively.
What is the FourSight® assessment, and how is it used?
The FourSight® assessment helps participants understand their unique creative thinking preferences across different stages of the problem-solving process. By identifying strengths and blind spots, individuals can better understand how they contribute to team innovation and how to collaborate more effectively with others who think differently.
How does this training improve team collaboration?
This training improves collaboration by helping team members understand different creative styles and how they complement each other. Participants learn how to leverage diverse perspectives, reduce friction caused by misunderstandings, and work more effectively together to generate ideas and solve problems.
What skills will participants gain from this training?
Participants gain skills in idea generation, structured problem solving, collaboration, self-awareness, and innovation. They also learn how to assess their creative strengths, identify areas for growth, and apply techniques to contribute more effectively to team-based problem-solving efforts.
What outcomes can organizations expect from this training?
Organizations can expect stronger innovation, better problem-solving capabilities, improved collaboration, and faster development of ideas into actionable solutions. Employees become more confident in their ability to contribute creatively, leading to more effective decision-making and a more adaptable, forward-thinking workforce.
Need A Live Virtual Instructor-led Workshop?
Ready to discuss your live virtual instructor-led training needs for a creative problem-solving workshop for your group? Schedule a call at 800-807-8030 or fill out the form below. We look forward to connecting with you.