If you want to add some energy, fun and different
perspectives to your next brainstorming session, then do what I did when I was a
kid when I invited Guy Lafleur and Gordie Howe to play hockey with me and my
buddies (totally not a true story) and bring in some outside ringers.
Musicians, painters, comedians or other artists could
add a totally unique and different perspective on some of your workplace challenges.
As would bringing in a few ten-year-olds (some companies do this on a regular
basis), an engineer, a baker or candlestick maker. Or include some of your most-valued
customers. Or, if you're really brave (and smart), some of your most frustrated
and annoyed-as-heck customers.
Since creativity is nothing more than forcing a
different perspective on your challenges and problems, then these outside
ringers can become invaluable sources of inspiration and ideas.
As the old saying goes, "If you've got two executives
who think alike, one of
them is redundant." And bringing in a
ringer will surely help prevent redundancy-itis.
