In the book, THINKERTOYS, Michael Michalko, presents sets of techniques for generating ideas. In my previous posts, I covered Group A linear techniques and Group B linear techniques for ideas. In this post, I’ll cover Group C. The Group C techniques help you change perspectives so you can gain new insights or breakthroughs.

Key Take Aways
Here are my key take aways:

• My favorite techniques from this set are Hall of Fame and Board of Directors. I really like the ideas of using reference examples such as your personal heroes in business and life. While they are a bit of work up front, I can see how they get easier over time. Imagine the personal cabinet of advisors you build over time to draw upon whenever you choose.
• I think some of the concepts in Smart Questions: Learn to Ask the Right Questions for Powerful Results parallel the Clever Trevor technique.

Techniques

• Brutethink (Random stimulation) – Forces a connection between two dissimilar concepts to create a new idea.
• Hall of Fame (Forced Connection) – Produces ideas and insights by creating a relationship between your challenge and the words and thoughts of the world’s great thinkers.
• Board of Directors (Forced connection) – Uses a fantasy board of powerhouse business leaders and innovators who will assist you in overcoming your business challenges.
• Circle of Opportunity (Forced connection) – Generates ideas by forcing a connective link between common attributes and your challenge.
• Ideatoons (Pattern language) – A way to get ideas by using abstract symbols instead of words.
• Clevor Trevor (Talk to a stranger) – How to get ideas by increasing the number and kind of people you talk to about your challenges.

Additional Resources

• CreativeThinking.Net (Michael Michalko’s site)
• Smart Questions: Learn to Ask the Right Questions for Powerful Results

My Related Posts

• Linear Techniques for Ideas – Group B
• Linear Techniques for Ideas – Group A
• THINKERTOYS