Let’s Create New Knowledge
Dr. Roger Firestien’s Blog, Innovation Espresso ®
and Additional Creative Resources
The Latest:
It Only Takes a Few Minutes to Find the Best Problem
In a research study on “problem construction” researchers instructed half of the study participants to restate the problem in a variety of ways before starting to work. The other half of the participants were instructed to read the problem and immediately solve it. The results?
It Only Takes a Few Minutes to Find the Best Problem
In a research study on “problem construction” researchers instructed half of the study participants to restate the problem in a variety of ways before starting to work. The other half of the participants were instructed to read the problem and immediately solve it. The results?
Innovation Resources
More Innovation Espresso ®
Solve the Right Problem the Wrong Way
It is better to solve the right problem the wrong way than it is to solve the wrong problem the right way. Find out why in my new book, Solve the Real Problem.
My Neighbors are Satan Worshipers – No it’s a Dog Toy
Drastic conclusions can be made when we don’t challenge our assumptions. Louise Neilson, MSc has worked as a professional mediator in the Portland, Oregon area for the last 30 years. She has worked with activists, lawyers, educators, police officers, not-for-profit...
It’s not broken. Just read the directions.
Several years ago I bought a drill press for an artist friend of mine. A drill press is an electric drill mounted on a base. Because the drill is on a base and not handheld, it allows the operator to set the precise depth, angle and width of each hole. My friend was...
Dancing with Coyotes
How solving the real problem kept two doggies from being eaten by coyotes My friend Laree and her husband Dan were living in Placerville, California. Placerville is a California gold rush town that sits at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It is a lovely rural...
My Tailbone Hurts: A lesson in making assumptions
We all have made incorrect assumptions. Sometimes this can be harmless, sometimes this can cause a twelve-year-old boy to receive the equivalent of 1500 unnecessary chest x-rays. Check out this story about the danger of making assumptions when it comes to medical diagnosis.
The Case of the Trimmed Hedge
Know the saying: “They can’t see the forest for the trees”? Check out this story about how a trimmed hedge created a problem for two neighbors.
What can hospitals learn from shark skin?
In Take an excursion – Create a breakthrough, discover how you can use nature to become inspired when you need to get new ideas.
Cows can be good for the land
The problem is not the cows. The problem is where the cows are at. Read more to find out more about why I feel like we are solving the wrong problem.
Why Innovate? When The World Changes, Creativity Is King
Change is the catalyst for innovation. In Why innovate? When the rules change, creativity is king, we’ll explore the critical role of creative thinking when faced with unprecedented change.
Suspended from School for Two Months: Let’s redefine this problem
She had never been in a fight before. But as a result of her fighting, a fifteen-year-old we’ll call Crystal, managed to get herself suspended from school. And not just suspended for a week. Crystal’s suspension was for two months. Enter Kelly Heinze, an eighth-grade...
Find out how a waffle inspired a billion-dollar business
Spoiler alert: You may be wearing a pair! What do you do when you run out of ideas and you need a breakthrough?
Find out what really causes a heart attack. It’s not what you think.
In this lesson find out how redefining the problem led to a breakthrough that has saved countless numbers of people from dying of heart attacks.
2022 Creativity Expert Exchange
The program for our 2022 Creativity Expert Exchange (March 10 & 11) has been finalized as has been the Eventbrite Registration site. Our program features two cutting-edge keynote speeches and 14 engaging concurrent session workshops.
Don’t Trust Your First Impression
The First Instinct Fallacy means going with your first impression of what you think is correct because your first instinct is the best.
If you want to solve the real problem – think outside the biological
You have certainly heard the phrase, “Think outside the box.”, but here is a new phrase to try on: “Think outside the biological.” Find out what I mean, and why it is SO IMPORTANT when you’re trying to solve a problem.
New videos! New book!
I recently realized that the last that you folks heard from me was in May. Time flies! Here’s a peek at what I’ve been working on.
Creativity is the language of possibilities
The answer to “How do you move people from a one-off creative team meeting to internalizing principles of creativity in your work and life?”
Creativity is in the Open Space
Don’t be afraid of the open space. Don’t worry about being bored. When you are bored, your imagination kicks in, and your brain goes to a creative place.
Innovate Constantly: Find out how
What do stampeding cows, waffle irons, tractors, heart doctors, farmers, flying drones, and pacemakers have in common?They are all featured in my new video courses published through the OpenSesame learning platform! OpenSesame is the world's largest elearning company,...
Roger’s TEDx Omaha Talk
Roger Firestien gave a talk at the virtual TEDx Omaha event on February 18, 2021
The theme of TEDx Omaha 2021 was IGNITE.
Your team can be a creative powerhouse: Learn how for free.
Working with an actual client on a real problem, I’ll guide you through the entire Creative Problem-Solving process, from identifying an initial goal to developing specific action plans.
Be the leader that they look to for innovation. Learn how for free!
I’m offering a full online course on facilitating the Creative Problem-Solving process and it is FREE!
What is your Slab? Loving the creative process
For years, my effervescent and charming neighbor, Mrs. Ott has strongly encouraged me to do something with the concrete slab in front of my house.
Creativity Is More Powerful Than A Pandemic
This coronavirus pandemic has shown us what I’ve been telling people for 40 years: we are ALL creative and we all create in different and valuable ways.
What do you do when you are 89 years old and in the midst of a pandemic?
Throughout her life, Mom has been a doer, a mover, and a changemaker in the lives of those around her. See what she’s doing during this COVID-19 pandemic.