Developing Your Creativity = employing the i3 model.

Developing Your Creativity = employing the i3 model.

After 18 years of learning, researching, creating and applying various creativity and innovation models I have found the i3 model to be the most flexible and consistent to individual and team success. The three “i's” include: inquiry, interaction, and innovation. I developed this model a few years ago and use it as the foundation for my creativity consultancy, i3 insight, LLC (www.i3insight.com).

While i3 insight leverages the process for the creative problem solving of business/work teams, individuals learning and practicing the i3 model will also facilitate innovative solutions through their own creative development. Here's how...

Let's begin with the often overlooked step of inquiry. Inquiry is about digging deeply into the question(s) and converging on the “right question” to explore. Inquiry is NOT about having the right answer. I will shorthand all of the reasons why we don't spend the necessary time in the inquiry step by asking you a question, “when was the last time you were rewarded for not having an answer?”

The inquiry in the i3 model is full of questions. Exploring all areas within your issue through questioning is THE MOST IMPORTANT step in developing your creativity. If you want to get to meaningful innovation, don't short change this step.

The inquiry process -

Begin by thinking about your issue or situation (this process can be applied to ANY issue):

• What do you want?
  • Why?

An example to show you what I mean about digging deeply into the questioning: Let's say you want to eliminate cigarette butt waste on the roadway because you believe it is harmful and disrespectful to the environment.

• How are the butts getting on the road? People throw them outside of their car windows...
  • Why? Because they smoke them in their car and don't want to keep the butts
  • Why? Because they don't want people to know they smoke
  • Why? Because they are embarrassed
  • Why? Because they have tried to quit and don't want to appear “weak”
  • Why? Because their self-esteem is strongly linked to what others think

• Who else thinks this is a issue? What are they doing/not doing about it?
  • How?
  • Why or Why not?
    
• Who opposes your point of view?
  • Why?
  • How?
    

• What is standing in the way to resolving this issue?
  • How?
  • Why?
    
• Continue to dig by asking WHY to each answer that is uncovered. Ask WHY at least 5x (or until your questions become too vague to address)
  Next, compile your exhaustive list and sort. You will sort in a 2 step process.

1. From most related and/or important to your issue to least
2. From within your sphere of influence and/or interest to least

Are there problems within the problems? Refine and Restate by asking WHY. You may need additional information. If so, do the needed research to ensure you dig deep enough into your issue. Your problem should be so well defined that the answer is nearly obvious. That is the great thing about a well-defined problem. Otherwise, your answer is always “42.”

By now you should have a group of refined areas that best address your issue. Select one of these areas and you are ready to move into the process of interaction.

In interaction I will show you how leveraging analogies and the help of others will further refine the challenge and explore potential solutions. But let's not jump ahead. Spend some time with the above process and let me know how it goes.