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A recent article entitled “Design Thinking” in the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce Manitoba Focus magazine caught my attention.  In an interview with Kyle Romaniuk, a Winnipeg innovation expert, author Dan Overall provided ground breaking new approaches to innovating and creating.  The article implies that people can actually learn to think better by  choosing the types of thinking appropriate to a given situation.

The idea that thinking can be managed is not new.  Edward de Bono in Serious Creativity created a system of six “thinking hats” in which a person chooses  thinking styles which lead to a creative outcome.  More recently, Bob Wiele (no relation) has identified 21 key thinking skills, all of which can be developed by individuals and teams. Moreover, these thinking skills can be aligned into a strategic sequence which matches the challenge of a given situation, whether that be analysis, innovation or compassion. And these thinking skills are best when shared in a collaborative setting.

The next time  you are faced with a challenging situation, consider which of these skills are appropriate and who in your team can lead the way.

The Creative Skills

• Brainstorming: letting the ideas flow
• envisioning:  picturing a new possibility starting with asking “What if…”
• challenging assumptions: who says it always has to be like it has always been?
• Reframing: what’s the upside or the opportunity in this problem?
• Aha: let the flash of insight emerge; don’t squelch it
• Flow: like a football defensive back, be alert and wait  the action (or idea)  will come

The Understanding Skills

• Scan: gather information from many sources
• Organize:  group the information into useful categories
• Clarify: who’s who, what’s what, eliminate confusion
• Tune in to Feelings: don’t ride roughshod over the emotional side of the discussion
• Empathize: a form of intelligence is to know and how to listen
• Express feelings: appropriate self expression leads to deeper understanding

The Decision Making Skills

• Crux: ask “What is the real issue here?”
• Conclude: push for a decision
• Validate: check that the decision is of high quality
• Voice of experience: what does the past experience of the team say about this matter?
• Values: use shared beliefs and values in coming to a choice
• Gut: don’t ignore your instinct

The Personal Spirit skills

• Positive Outlook: more is accomplished with a positive than a negative attitude
• Sense of Control: keep a handle on what you and your team can do to make a difference
• Initiative: take the risk to go ahead and do something

These forms of smart thinking, as identified by Wiele, comprise both the brain, the heart, the will and the instinct.  They represent the growth challenge of a lifetime for teams and individuals.  They also represent a good way to improve decision making.  For example, use the following sequence when seeking a solution:

• Understanding: what is all the physical and human information available about the matter at hand?
• Creativity: imagine various solutions, welcoming all ideas and angles, even if they are plumb crazy
• Decide: using your brain, your heart, your values, come to a decision
• Personal Spirit: take the courage to act

What is your experience in “designing thinking”? 

About Enliven! Consulting and Bob Wiebe: 

Our Mission

Enliven! Consulting’s mission is helping harness human capacity. Why shouldn’t organizations and individuals function with zip and crackle rather than foot dragging and boredom? Our vision is for our clients to experience more life-giving joy and fruitfulness in their work.

Our Clients

Enliven! Consulting specializes in helping not-for-profit and government agencies, faith communities, camps, and small business enterprises. These organizations face unique challenges, such as limited resources, difficulty in getting and keeping good staff, dealing with conflict, resistance to change and finding enough time to do their work. Enliven!’s toolbox includes proven methods to reduce these pressure points.

 Enliven! Consulting president Bob Wiebe has been harnessing human capacity for more than 30 years. His experiences include a decade of teaching music in public and private schools. He spent two decades as Director of Camps with Meaning, operating three camps which provided life changing experiences for over 1200 children, youth and adults with disabilities each summer, as well as hospitality services and retreats for thousands of guests each winter. He has served as President of the Mennonite Camping Association and of the Manitoba Camping Association. Bob has received trainer certification from One Smart World and has been mentored by David Church of Wildwood Consulting Group. 

Find out more here.