School teaches that there is a correct answer. As students, we are supposed to figure out that answer. It is the one that matches what it says in the answer key at the end of the book or for the exam.

But business and life are not like that. There is no single correct answer to most of the problems and situations we encounter. In business and in life we ​​need to be creative, explore many options, be able to discover something or a process that is innovative.

It’s too easy, too comfortable, and often a mistake to think we’re looking for the only right answer. Instead, in business we look for as many options as possible and then we can choose between them. If we think there’s only one correct answer, we’ll jump to the first answer that comes up that works. Usually the first idea is the one that comes up fast because it’s common and overused. You’re better off making your choice because you won the comparison argument, not just because it was the first and only idea expressed.

Innovation means something new to the world or at least new to the situation. To create something new, it is necessary to harness the creativity of as many options as possible. That will work best when you open up to other points of view, brainstorm for all kinds of responses, and include multiple ideas and multiple versions of similar ideas.

creativity. Without open minds that accept many ideas and options, the path to innovation will be completely clouded. With the openness to creativity, the road will have many dead ends, but it will also have plenty of room for U-turns, starting over, and what-if scenarios.

What is creative competition? It doesn’t require you to be an artist or a writer or any of the ‘creativity’ occupations. Instead, all it takes is for your mind to be open to possibilities and share and keep sharing the hundreds of ideas you have, instead of squashing them by saying, “Nobody would think that’s a good idea” or “That’s just bullshit.” “. .’

Ideas shared with others often form the seed of an idea to expand and share.

If I share an idea I have with you and you share one with me, now we both have two ideas, or many more, as we explore how to mix and match and build on those ideas. Ideas multiply like rabbits if you just keep an open mind and let them.