Creative Thinking Technique #6
KIDDING AROUND
Some years ago, as the story goes, a large truck got stuck in a New York City tunnel. (Apparently the driver did not notice the maximum height sign and wedged his vehicle against the roof of the tunnel.)
Traffic backed up for miles while angry motorists honked their horns and waited impatiently for police to arrive.
Just as the authorities were about to weld the top off the truck, a five-year old girl, watching from the backseat of her parents' car, calmly asked why the grown ups didn't just let some air out of the tires to lower the height of the truck so it could continue through the tunnel.
Her father, tickled by his daughter's suggestion, got out of his car and shared the idea with the powers that be. Problem solved.
THE TECHNIQUE
1. Think of a challenge you have been struggling with.
2. Present it to a child.
3. Listen carefully to their suggestions.
4. Even if no brilliant ideas emerge, look for the wisdom hidden within their most interesting approach.
PS: Psychologists claim that a human being is most creative at the age of five.
Idea Champions
Excerpted from Awake at the Wheel
Comments
Fully agree. And not only as source of ideas but also as listener of our supposedly smart explanations. My best coach were my daughter's questions few years ago.
Simply great! And a fun creative technique.
Kind regards,
Juan
Posted by: Pull_Innovation ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](https://www.ideachampions.com/weblogs/nav-commenters.gif)
at February 24, 2012 04:15 AM
Jajaja..... my question about the story is: Reaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaally?
I think is mainly because they don't try to be smart a***s. They just try find a real solution. period.
Good one!
Posted by: Julio at February 25, 2012 12:48 AM
We are blessed with four wonderful grand children, all of them will be over this weekend! By Monday, I'll have answers to it all. They always cut to the heart of any matter, giving me some of the most memorable quotes for writing and speaking audiences. I am reminded that every situation can be figured out over making and sampling cupcakes.
Posted by: David Sollars at February 25, 2012 07:46 AM
Post a comment
Thanks for signing in, . Now you can comment. (sign out)
(If you haven't left a comment here before, you may need to be approved by the site owner before your comment will appear. Until then, it won't appear on the entry. Thanks for waiting.)
