Here's how you can drive successful problem-solving with creative thinking across industries.

When people with diverse perspectives collaborate, they can combine their unique insights to generate creative and innovative solutions that might not emerge in a homogenous group.

Teams with diverse backgrounds will generate more ideas and more creative ideas. Don't be afraid to share analogies or perspectives from a different industry. Encourage people with different backgrounds and experiences to contribute.

It is essential to gather information from as many perspectives as possible. True inclusion recognizes that everyone brings a unique perspective, and it is important to listen to all of them without judgment. This requires more than just being quiet and allowing others to talk; it means actively considering their input, positions, backgrounds, experiences, and insights. Until we can do this as part of every decision, diversity is just a buzzword.

I can partially agree with this statement. The reason is that the tools used in a problem-solving process should be determined by the goal of that process. For example, in market research, if I am interested in the opinions of a specific target group, forming homogeneous groups is very useful, as it allows for a deeper understanding of that group's perspective. In this case, a diverse group would not help solve the business problem.

I once heard a story in which someone sharing their perspective was asked, "How are you so good at thinking outside of the box?" The response was, "What makes you think there is a box?" Allowing for ALL possibilities in true brainstorming before decisions are made will allow more creativity and solutions that may change experiences for the better.

I love reading stories about "happy accidents," in which something amazing is discovered because of an accident or was accidentally discovered. The stories of the inventions of chocolate chip cookies and potato chips exemplify this idea. Unless we are willing to put all ideas on the table and try them out, we may not find the right solution. Or, better yet, we may solve a problem we didn't even know existed.

Learning is all about doing. If we want to learn if our ideas will work, we need to try them out, or at least sketch them out, as thoroughly as we can. As we work through the "next steps" of an idea, more creativity will flow and more answers (and questions) will be found.

Cultivating a culture where failures are nurtured as a learning tool takes time, patience, and modeling. Failure is essential for education because it is in the retrying that we learn grit, patience, and perseverance. When we can hone these traits, we get stronger, bolder ideas and a better chance of success.

Stuck problems? Blast off with Creative Problem Solving! Engineers, marketers, EVERYONE! Unlock hidden solutions across industries. Problem-solving genius unlocked: Blend industry insights with a wild imagination. Ask 'What if?' relentlessly. Connect unlikely dots. Embrace the absurd. Your next breakthrough might start as a joke.