Creative thinking is a core competence for change leaders, and research has shown that creative thinking can be enhanced through creative problem solving principles and procedures. This book taps into the more than 50 years of creative problem solving research and application as a powerful means for developing creative change leaders.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgments Introduction Who Should Read This Book? How This Book Is Different: Taking a Creative Approach to Leadership Part I Foundational Principles for Leaders One. Change, Leadership, and Creativity: The Powerful Connection Chapter at a Glance Creative Change: It′s Not Changing the Baby The Leadership-Creativity Link Creativity: The Necessary Fuel for Change Applying What You′ve Learned Two. Creative Problem Solving: Background and Introduction to the Thinking Skills Model Chapter at a Glance Getting to Know Creative Problem Solving: Going for the Gold Creative Problem Solving: Some Basic Terms Using Creative Problem Solving: How to, When to Creative Problem Solving: Introducing the Think Skills Model--A Process Map for Finding Your Way to the Gold Dynamic Balance: The Heart of the Creative Problem Solving Process Divergent thinking Skills: Fluency, Flexibility, Elaboration, and Originality Convergent Thinking Skills: Envision and Evaluate Applying What You′ve LEarned Three. Identifying Complex Thinking Skills Associated with the Creative Problem Solving Model Chapter at a Glance Creative Thinking Skills for Leaders Complex Thinking for Complex Problems: The Creative Problem Solving Model as a Macro Process A Closer Look at the Cognitive and Affective Skills in Creative Problem Solving Applying What You′ve Learned Four. Transforming Your Thinking: Principles for Divergence and Convergence Chapter at a Glance Diverge and Converge: It′s About Thinking and Behaving Principles for Divergent Thinking Principles for Convergent Thinking Allow for Incubation: The Wildcard Principle Applying What You′ve Learned Part II: Thinking Tools for Leaders Five. Assessing the Situation: Tools for Diagnostic Thinking Chapter at a Glance Diagnostic hinking in Leadership: Gathering and Using Data to Make Informed Decisions The Nature and Purpose of Assessing the Situation Executing Each Step of the Creative Problem Solving Process: A Word About Tools Divergent Thinking Tools for Assessing the Situation Convergent Thinking Tools for Assessing the Situation Getting Around in the Creative Problem Solving Process: Metacognitive Tools for Determining Next Steps Applying What You′ve Learned Six. Exploring the Vision: Tools for Visionary Thinking Chapter at a Glance Visionary Thinking in Leadership The Nature and Purpose of Exploring the Vision Devergent Thinking tools for Exploring the Vision Convergent Thinking Tools for Exploring the Vision What′s Next in the Creative Problem Solving Process? Applying What You′ve Learned Seven. Formulating Challenges: Tools for Strategic Thinking Chapter at a Glance Strategic Thinking in Leadership The Nature and Purpose of Formulating Challenges Divergent Thinking Tools for Formulating Challenges Convergent Thinking Tools for Formulating Challenges What′s Next in the Creative Problem Solving Process? Applying What You′ve Learned Eight. Exploring Ideas: Tools for Ideational Thinking Chapter at a Glance Ideational Thinking in Leadership The Nature and Purpose of Exploring Ideas Divergent Thinking Tools for Exploring Ideas Convergent Thinking Tools for Exploring Ideas What′s Next in the Creative Problem Solving Process? Applying What You′ve Learned Nine. Formulating Solutions: Tools for Evaluative Thinking Chapter at a Glance Evaluative Thinking in Leadership The Nature and Purpose of Formulating Solutions Divergence and Convergence in Formulating Solutions: It′s a Brand New Game What′s Next in the Creative Problem Solving Process? Applying What You′ve Learned Ten. Exploring Acceptance: Tools for Contextual Thinking Chapter at a Glance Contextual Thinking in Leadership The Nature and Purpose of Exploring Acceptance Divergent Thinking tools for Exploring Acceptance Convergent Thinking tools for Exploring Acceptance What′s Next in the Creative Problem Solving Process? Applying What You′ve Learned Eleven. Formulating a Plan: Tools for Tactical Thinking Chapter at a Glance Tactical Thinking in Leadership The Nature and Purpose of Formulating a Plan Divergent Thinking Tools for Formulating a Plan Convergent Thinking Tools for Formulating a Plan What′s Next in the Creative Problem Solving Process? Applying What You′ve Learned Part III: Additional Factors that Influence Leaders Twelve. Psychological Diversity: Leading People with Different Creativity Styles Chapter at a Glance Psychological Diversity and Leadership Effectiveness Kirton Adaptor-Innovator Theory: Two Distinct and Valuable Approaches to Creativity and Change FourSight: Understanding How People Engage in the Creative Process Applying What You′ve Learned Thirteen. Building a Climate for Creativity: How Leadership Sets the Tone Chapter at a Glance Introduction: Some Basics About Climate The Leadership-Climate Connection Creative Climate in Organizations: What to Look for Final Thoughts for Leaders Applying What You′ve Learned Conclusion Developing Creativity for Leadership Where to Begin? A Model for Developing Creativity in Leadership Where Do You Go From Here? Some Closing Thoughts Case Studies Becoming a Creative Change LEader Internalizing Creativity in an Organization Creative Climate References Name Index Subject Index About the Authors