Unlocking Creativity: How to Solve Any Problem and Make the Best Decisions by Shifting Creative Mindsets

211 Pages·2019·2.206 MB·English

by  Michael A. Roberto

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“Professor Michael Roberto has done us a great favor in unmasking barriers to creativity
inorganizations.Companiesdon’tlackcreativepeople;rather,theystiflecreativitythrough
whatRobertocallsoutdatedmindsets.Overcomethose,andcreativepeoplewillflourish.
Everyleaderandmanagershouldreadthisimportantbooktounleashthecreativeenergyin
theirorganizations.”
—MortenHansen–AuthorofGreatatWork,andProfessor,
UniversityofCalifornia–Berkeley
“Creativityisthecornerstoneofdisruptivesuccesstoday,andRoberto’sgeniusliesinpre-
sentingitnotasapre-ordainedtrait,butonewhichanyonecanlearn.Througharichweb
ofstories,Robertogivesyouasystemtofosterthebeginner’smind,createanenvironment
ofcuriosity,vision,andexploration,andunleashthecreativepotentialwithinyourselfand
yourteam.”
—Dr.DarriaLongGillespie–EmergencyPhysician,
CNNMedicalExpert,&AuthorofMomHacks
“Organizationsofeverykindmorethaneverneedtofindwaystobecreativeandinnovative.
Inthisnewbookfullofinsightsandilluminatingexamples,MichaelRobertoshowshow
leaderscanrisetothechallenge.”
—DanielDiermeier–Provost,TheUniversityofChicago
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“Withtheexponentialdevelopmentofartificialintelligenceandrobotics,acompany’sdigital
transformationultimatelyrequiresemployees’transformation.UnlockingCreativityisamust-
readforallbusinessleaders,inJapanandbeyond.Itprovidesagreatguidepostforunleashing
employees’creativity.”
—ShingoKonomoto–President&CEO,NomuraResearchInstitute
“MichaelRobertohasnailedittothewallinUnlockingCreativity.Michael’sgiftofstorytelling
bringtolifethemostcriticalattributethatweneedintodays’competitivelandscape–creative
talent.Anessentialreadforanyorganizationseekingexponentialbreakoutgrowth.”
—JamesBrady–ChiefOperatingOfficer,GrantThornton
“Theinnovationandgrowthenginesoftoday’sorganizationsdependmorethaneveronnur-
turingthecreativeprocess.Throughtheuseofinspiring,engagingandrelatableexamples,
whichrangefromDisneytotheFooFighters,Robertohelpsusinternalizecommonmind-
setsthatblockthecreativeprocess.Byemphasizingtheimportanceofdesigningworkfor
creativity to establishing a brain trust, he provides leaders with a thoughtful playbook and
practicalinsightsforhowtobreakfreefromstiflingmindsetstounleashthecreativeprocess
intheirteams.”
—HeideAbelli–SeniorVicePresident,
ProductManagement,Skillsoft
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“Thisisagreatfoundationalbookforanyonethinkingaboutshiftingthecultureattheirorga-
nization and viewing it from a different perspective. Through Michael Roberto’s research
ofindividualsandcompaniesandhisdesignthinkingrecommendations,leaderswillexplore
newwaystotapintothecreativityoftheprofessionalswithwhomtheywork.”
—RobertDiMuccio–Chairman,PresidentandCEO,Amica
MutualInsuranceCompany
“MichaelRobertohasdoneityetagain.InUnlockingCreativity,heweaveshumor,history,
and research together into an enjoyable read, but more importantly a useful reference for
allleaders.Hechallengesmanyofourlong-held,yetinvalid,beliefswhileprovidingsound
guidanceforinnovatorseverywhere.”
—JDSchramm–MBAClassof1978LecturerinOrganizational
Behavior,StanfordUniversityGraduateSchoolofBusiness
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U N L O C K I N G
Creativity
HOW TO SOLVE ANY PROBLEM
AND MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS
BY SHIFTING CREATIVE MINDSETS
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Michael A. Roberto
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Copyright©2019byJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.Allrightsreserved.
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LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData
Names:Roberto,MichaelA.,author.
Title:Unlockingcreativity:howtosolveanyproblemandmakethebest
decisions/MichaelA.Roberto.
Description:Hoboken,NewJersey:JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,[2019]|Includes
bibliographicalreferencesandindex.|
Identifiers:LCCN2018043694(print)|LCCN2018045131(ebook)|ISBN
9781119545767(AdobePDF)|ISBN9781119545835(ePub)|ISBN9781119545798
(hardcover)
Subjects:LCSH:Creativeabilityinbusiness.|Creativethinking.|Decision
making.|Problemsolving.
Classification:LCCHD53(ebook)|LCCHD53.R5962019(print)|DDC
658.4/03—dc23
LCrecordavailableathttps://lccn.loc.gov/2018043694
COVERDESIGN:PAULMcCARTHY
COVERIMAGE:©GETTYIMAGES:CLASSENRAFAEL/EYEEM
PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica
10987654321
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To all my teachers from childhood, who stimulated my curiosity and creativity,
and most especially to Kristin, the most caring and dedicated elementary school
teacher from whom a child could learn.
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CONTENTS
Preface ix
Chapter 1 The Resistance to New Ideas 1
Chapter 2 The Linear Mindset 21
Chapter 3 The Benchmarking Mindset 43
Chapter 4 The Prediction Mindset 67
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Chapter 5 The Structural Mindset 87
Chapter 6 The Focus Mindset 113
Chapter 7 The Naysayer Mindset 137
Chapter 8 Leader as Teacher 159
Resources 179
Acknowledgments 181
About the Author 185
Index 187
vii
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