OpenSesame: Creativity Is Solving The Right Problem

by | Jun 18, 2020

Creative questions put forth what you want to create.

The time you spend identifying the “real” problem allows you to avoid generating ideas that are off target and action plans that have no traction. Most people believe that creativity is coming up with a great idea, but rather the key to creativity is solving the right problem. See, the source of a problem is usually different than it seems. Generating ideas for solving the wrong issue doesn’t help move the creative problem-solving process along.

As I wrote in a guest post for OpenSesame, Albert Einstein was once asked, “If some imminent disaster threatened the world and you had one hour in which you knew you could save it, how would you spend your time?”

Einstein replied, “I would spend the first 55 minutes identifying the problem and the last five minutes solving it. For the formulation of a problem is often far more essential than its solution, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill.”

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About Dr. Roger Firestien

Dr. Roger Firestien has presented programs on innovation to over 600 organizations around the world including Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, universities, associations, hospitals, and religious institutions.

Roger has written seven books and hundreds of articles on the creative process. His books include Why didn’t I think of that? and Create in a Flash. His latest book, Solve the REAL problem is available as an audiobook on Amazon.

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Books by Roger Firestien

Why Didn’t I Think of That?

A short story shedding an eye-opening light on our classic approaches to work and problem solving.

Create in a Flash

A book for leaders who know that to grow their organizations, they need to generate ideas and solutions on demand.

Solve the Real Problem

Redefining the problem saved thousands of heart attack victims, and saved the airlines over a billion dollars. Learn the simple approach for yourself.

Watch my TedX Talk

In my new TEDx talk, I share the go-to method I use to unlock ideas when inspiration runs dry.

How Roger Can Help:

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MASTERING YOUR CREATIVITY:
DISCOVERING BREAKTHROUGH SOLUTIONS FAST

Through a series of structured learning experiences, you will learn to become deliberately creative and build your skills to lead innovation teams in your organization. You will be instructed by Dr. Roger Firestien who has presented programs on innovation to over 600 organizations around the world including Fortune 500 corporations, government agencies, universities, associations and religious institutions.

Breakthrough Labs

Discover the real problems facing your organization and then generate hundreds of ideas for solving those problems with the Breakthrough Lab.

On-Demand Videos

You and your team are now only a click away from Dr. Firestien’s help to find the solution to any challenge with his nine-part video series on the OpenSesame Learning platform. Watch a trailer and learn more.

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