Corporate managers underestimate the value of creating a safe, non-threatening climate in fostering creativity and innovation. Making managers attend Innovation and creativity training programmes without a supporting climate is like giving people a car but not the driving license!

How can you generate an idea if you do not know what an idea is? A simple definition brings clarity into words like ideas, creativity and innovation.

This is an expectation every one seems to have in most creativity workshops. So I ask the question “What is the box? How can you get out of it if you do not know what it is?” People share various views and thoughts but we do not get a definition that is simple and easy [...]

“Challenging Assumptions” has become a cliche. Very few know how to do it well. Fewer know how to teach the technique as well as Edward De Bono.

The assumption we make affects the quality of our thinking. Often it comes in the way of an innovative solution

Innovation is great when it works. However, there are several hidden costs on the way to successful innovation. Organisations must be smarter in managing these money sucking practices that inhibit innovation and demotivate people

“What are you working on?” “Well, I am designing a brainstorming session for one of my clients.” “You are wasting your time and you are wasting your client’s time as well.” “That is a rather strong statement to make. What makes you say that?” “Frankly I have never seen anything worthwhile coming out of these [...]

Shiv is a good friend. I have known him for more than a decade. I have admired his thinking, his clarity, his way with people. He is a good speaker, and excellent mentor and teacher. He is passionate about growing his people. I received an assignment from a client in Delhi and learnt that Shiv [...]

As we went through the coffee table book we noticed that  a few common things emerged. For example, all the seven maestros displayed an extra-ordinary attitude. It was a willingness to change one-self to achieve a goal. Some of them demonstrated a unique knack to understand the pulse of their audience and shape their concerts [...]

People – the participants in the creative blockbusting workshops – are the most important ingredient. I call them advisors/consultants. We seek their ideas, hence they are advisors. The more uncommon and carefully thought out the selection, the better will be our results. The most predictable the team, poorer the quality of ideas we will get. [...]