How do you coach others in creative problem solving?

The assessment phase of coaching: 1. Personalized Approach: Recognize that every individual is unique. Differentiate coaching based on initial assessments to ensure efficacy. 2. 360-degree Feedback: Incorporate perspectives from peers, superiors, and subordinates to get a holistic view of the coach’s readiness. 3. Continuous Monitoring: Periodic check-ins post-assessment to gauge progress and recalibrate the coaching strategy. 4. Adaptability: Be open to revising coaching tactics based on real-time feedback. 5. Empathy & Patience: Understand that growth takes time. Celebrate small wins and continuously nurture their journey. Effective coaching isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s about tuning in, adapting, and fostering individual growth paths.

I do believe each single person is super creative. So firstly, I would definitely find out where their power is hiding and what does creativity mean 2 Them! Where their power is sitting, is where exactly their fear or weakness sitting next to! So, I will start from there.

This stage is absolutely essential; however, sometimes it is one that coaches rush through or skip over altogether in an effort to get quickly to the ideation and implementation phase. This stage is critical when it comes to effectively applying CPS to the coaching exchange. When utilizing 360-degree feedback, do not miss the opportunity to gather feedback from the coachee. It is helpful to have feedback from the perspective of peers, direct reports, supervisors, and others; however, one of the most powerful aspects of a 360 is analyzing how the self score compares to the rest. In a CPS coaching context, this knowledge is critical.

CPS (Creative Problem Solving) is a structured and systematic approach, not a random or chaotic process. One popular CPS framework, developed by Sidney Parnes and Alex Osborn, comprises four main stages: clarify, ideate, develop, and implement. Within each stage, sub-steps guide problem solvers through various modes of thinking, such as divergent and convergent. In the "clarify" stage, the focus is on defining the problem and gathering relevant information. The "ideate" stage encourages generating creative solutions through brainstorming and idea generation techniques. Moving on to the "develop" stage, the emphasis shifts to refining and developing the best ideas.

I would love to offer a counter perspective to the paragraph suggesting an immediate embrace of a specific CPS framework. While structured guidance can be valuable, it's important to delve deeper into the implications of such an approach. Problem solving goes beyond steps and stages. A proper mindset is foundational, as creativity isn't confined to a particular structure. While frameworks offer guidance, they might limit innovative thinking by prescribing a sequence. In my opinion, problem solving is more organic – a blend of intuition, exploration, and adaptability. Instead of rigidly adhering to a framework, encourage coachees to embrace fluid thinking, allowing creativity to thrive!

I find that it truly does work best to share with new groups stories (of course anonymously) of previous processes. But also there are great stories we can use for each step, for instance when formulating the right question in the clarify phase, there is a great story about the time a truck got stuck under an overpass, and after they brought in a massive crane and were about to take the whole bridge apart, a small child came out and said, I think you can just deflate the tires... solve the right problem! The people doing I'm training always really get the point after hearing that story.

In my experience, this process of facilitating learning is one area where we fall short in the CPS process. The initial process of discovery and ideating can be so exciting that we lose sight of the time and effort required to accomplish lasting change. Three things I have found to be helpful as a coach include: 1. Make sure barriers and challenges are clearly defined. Working on the wrong problem is one of the most common mistakes we make. 2. Take seriously the role of a coach. As stated here, your role is not to provide answers or solutions, but to facilitate the creative discovery process. 3. Provide constant support regardless of whether or not significant progress is made. This will help keep someone on track when challenges arise.

Celebration is soooo important. But not just successes. Celebrating the EFFORT is what matters. Because in creativity, the effort is the success. You can't guarantee the result works. But you can guarantee that you give it the effort!

Coaching others in creative problem solving involves nurturing a culture of innovation, curiosity, and open-mindedness. Encouraging individuals to explore various perspectives and think beyond conventional boundaries fosters creativity. Provide guidance on problem definition, helping them break down complex issues into manageable components. Emphasize the value of brainstorming and ideation sessions, where every idea is welcomed and considered. Support the implementation of agile methodologies, allowing for iterative experimentation and learning from failures. By being a supportive mentor, you empower individuals to tap into their creative potential and tackle challenges with confidence and ingenuity.