Constraints on Creative Problem Solving
Creative problem solving is another way of saying to think outside the box. Some personalities are comfortable in doing this, while others are a little more conservative within their approach. Either way, we all can create a way to solve a problem, and we do so with an aim at comfort and convenience while trying to save time. What we do not normally see are the constraints we often place on ourselves.
In my work environment, there are typically A-type personalities that make up most of those working in my work-space, while a small handful we would refer to as 10lb brains. You can always tell them apart by the way they dress and behave. There are literally two cliques in our office space. Among the A-types, each stay among their peers as an act to preserve their appearance of belonging, whereas the 10lb brains can care less. In the military, they say perception is everything - primarily, your reputation. In preserving such a hard earned reputation, we tend to behave in accordance with what is expected and, or accepted. This constraint keeps me from 'free thinking' often as well as 'free behaving', if you will.
Another constraint that may be even less obvious is that of assumption(s). In just about every circumstance where decisions are made, which is practically every moment, assumptions are made. Now some of these assumptions are what we would call 'safe' assumptions, while others claim to make an 'ass out of u and me'. So right off the bat, conforming and assumptions both are self-placed constraints. Fear would be a great constraint that we all fall victim to, to include myself. Fear can inhibit our ability to think. Finally, I would offer a lack of confidence would contribute to a self-placed constraint. Outside of assumptions, which can be derived from habits, previous knowledge, as well as a lack of understanding and awareness, I would say the other three constraints are all in one form, or another, a derivative of fear about something.
During a video teleconference, it was suggested that those of us in the meeting provide some creative ideas on how to test somebody for a job we wanted them to perform without actually performing it just yet. While I was contemplating, my thoughts shifted to what someone else was saying, assuming that their idea would surely be better than mine. Now typically, I would naturally remain silent in order to hear and witness those around me, gathering information for myself before injecting myself into a discussion. However, in this case, I allowed myself to be constrained by a lack of self-confidence, fear that my idea may be less than desired, and the assumption that the others were judging me as so. I have come to realize that a fear of judgement is often a primary concern of many under similar circumstances.
During that video teleconference, I could have planned ahead with potential way-aheads with respect to possible tests that could be performed. Doing so would have allowed me the confidence to share a well thought out idea, and possibly combine it with someone else's idea for a more robust test. If I plan to allocate time needed to be prepared for this kind of meeting, I can set myself up for success, allowing my thoughts and ideas to become more productive based on some recently thought of concepts I would like to share.
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