Description

In this toolkit episode of Now Go Create, Claire Bridges dives into the power of asking better questions at work and introduces the concept of a "question storm." Instead of jumping straight into brainstorming solutions, Claire Bridges explains how focusing on generating well-aimed questions can unlock true creative and problem-solving potential. Drawing on real-world insights and her years of experience helping teams boost creative thinking, she shares why curiosity and challenging the status quo are essential for innovation.

Claire takes inspiration from experts and researchers, offering practical steps to facilitate effective question storming solo or in groups. She touches on how assumptions can stifle creativity, using cautionary tales from companies like Nokia and Kodak. She also shares techniques from influential books such as Daniel Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow and Michael Michalko's ThinkerToys.

You’ll pick up question-based prompts to spark fresh thinking, learn why slowing down to ask the "right" questions matters, and discover creative confidence isn’t about having all the answers, but about challenging what needs to be asked.

Key Takeaways:

1. Creative progress thrives on curiosity, not certainty - be a "learn-it-all," not a "know-it-all."
2. Rushing to brainstorm solutions often means tackling the wrong problem; question storming realigns your efforts.
3. The Question Formulation Technique (QFT) sets four rules: ask as many questions as possible, don’t judge or answer yet, document questions exactly as stated, and reframe statements as questions.
4. Spotting and challenging assumptions can break automatic, potentially faulty group thinking.
5. “What if the opposite were true?” and “What would a beginner do?” are just two examples of powerful disruptive questions to use.
6. Creating a safe space for questions, no matter how obvious or ‘silly’ they seem, unlocks creative confidence and uncovers hidden insights.

Something to Try:

At your next team meeting, run a "question storm." Set a timer and challenge everyone to write down as many questions about your current challenge as possible, without answering them. Afterwards, review them for new perspectives, assumptions to challenge, and better-framed problems to solve. Notice how it shifts the group’s thinking and the quality of ideas that follow.

About Claire Bridges:

Claire Bridges is Chief Spark and Founder of leading creative training consultancy Now Go Create, whose philosophy is that everyone can be creative.

Claire worked as a PR agency Managing Director and Creative Director working with global brands including Starbucks, Kellogg’s, Unilever, P&G and Danone in her previous PR career. Upskilling individuals, teams and organisations with practical creativity tools is Claire’s mission.

She’s one of only 250 people globally to hold an MSc in Creativity, Leadership & Innovation, and authored an Amazon best-selling creative handbook In Your Creative Element based on her academic studies.

Claire and her hand-picked team of experts have worked on thousands of creative projects and trained over 50,000 people around the world since starting Now Go Create in 2011.

Connect with Claire:

Website: https://nowgocreate.co.uk/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowgocreate/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NowGoCreate

LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/claire-bridges-b6205b14

Produced by winteraudio.co.uk