Workshop on:

Tools & Techniques of Creativity

The last quarter century has seen an explosion of new ideas. These have changed the way we think, live, work, and most notable the way we do our business. Our lives have consequently become more comfortable and more productive. For the creators and innovators, “fame & fortune”. This trend will continue and accelerate in the new millennium. Successful corporations will continue to be those who promote and foster a culture of creativity and innovation in their organizations.

Creativity is an essential element of technical and commercial success and profitability. Innovative organizations do not happen by accident. They are founded on sound understanding and building of the human creative genius by the management. They are built on occasional departure from the established culture and norm, an acceptance of change as an element of progress, and the willingness to accept failure as an essential ingredient of success. Espousing and fostering a culture of creativity is one of the primary functions of good management.

Some people believe that creativity is a God given talent limited to the lucky few. But this is not so. To varying degrees all of us have the talent and the urge to become creative. There are tools and methodologies that can open up the creative process in our brains. It is like learning a new language- the brain opens up to new possibilities! 

These methodologies are the focus and purpose of this two-day workshop.

The following articles are recommended for more readings on creativity and its role in the oil and gas industry. For a free PDF copy, please send an e-mail to the address below, or give us a call.

Daneshy, A. A., "Creative Management for Individuals and Organizations", Oil & Gas Executive Report, Vol. 4, No. 1, 2001, 47-47

Daneshy, A. A., "Dynamics of Innovation in the Upstream Oil and Gas Industry", Guest Editorial, JPT, Nov. 2003, 22-25

 Workshop Content

Day 1. Discussion of the two basic types of thinking: Sequential (vertical, logical) is a logical and end-oriented thinking process. We learn this during our formal education and use it to solve problems. Sequential thinking is selective, analytic, logical, follows rigid patterns and is relevant.

Peripheral (lateral, provocative) thinking deals with creation of alternatives. It moves at random and fast to find a direction, generates its own pattern and logic, and does not seek an end-point. Peripheral thinking does not end with finding the solution, it merely seeks alternatives.

Sequential and peripheral thinking compliment each other and are both essential. One grows and enhances the seeds sowed by the other.

The two types of thinking and their linkage will be clarified through numerous workshop examples and exercises during which the participants will create new alternatives for addressing common daily activities, both at work and elsewhere.

Day 2. Role of managers and organizations in fostering creativity. Success of creativity in organizations depends on the recognition and expediting the “creative cycle” by management. Similarly, the organization needs to be willing to understand and accept the risk of failure as an essential part of reaping the enormous rewards of success. The workshop will cover the roles of the managers, as well as the organizational requirements.

The workshop is completely “interactive”. Initially each member participates in the exercises individually. Later, the group will be broken in teams of three or four. One objective of the workshop is to demonstrate the role and power of teams vs. individuals in creativity.

 About the Speaker

Dr Daneshy’s interest in creativity started with personal curiosity about the ways of creative technical minds. This led to the study of creativity in arts, and soon to the thought processes and the working tools of the human brain. He has been teaching this course for many years in US, Europe, Middle East, and Asia Pacific, mostly to business audiences. Main ingredients of learning in this course are the class exercises, which are used to convince the audience of their creative talent and demonstrate the power of the different thinking processes. 

This workshop is also real fun. Participants enjoy it. No one will leave this workshop early! 

Tools & Techniques of Creativity

Definition of Creativity

Thinking Processes

    Sequential/Vertical Thinking

    Peripherall/Lateral Thinking

Linkage between Creativity and Peripheral/Lateral Thinking

Tools of Peripheral Thinking

Pursuit of Creativity

Features of Creative Process

Phases of Creativity

Characteristics of Creative People

Enabling Characteristics

Subsidiary Characteristics

Creating a Culture of Creativity

Seven Block to Creativity in Organizations

Characteristics of Creative Managers

The Creative Organization

Family Traits that Produce Creative Children

Contact Information                          Mailing Address:

Phone: 1 281 584 9444                        15995 N Barkers Landing, Suite 201

Fax: 1 630 839 5167                             Houston TX 77079

 e-mail: alidaneshy@daneshy.com         USA