Week 2 - Reponse to John Hutchinson

Click here to view Hutch’s original post.

“You’re probably wondering what this photo has to do with the book?  No, I'm not designing a motivational poster.  I started reading this book on a very brief 4 day getaway at a friend's cabin in Maine.  As much as reading something by Stephen King seemed fitting I jumped on the chance to read this book surrounded by majestic snow covered scenery.

I really do enjoy reading these types of books; however, I find that sometimes not all the ideas or techniques presented are instantly relatable.  I've read things in the past that haven't clicked until months or years later.  This book hooked me in the first few pages with a visual exercise that challenges readers to quite literally "think outside the box."  I must confess, I did not see the solution to the puzzle.  Had I not looked at the answer and continued onto the next 4 chapters I think I might have.

The Zander's present an interesting set of ideas that are designed to help us shed some of the what I'll call "cognitive burden" that we all carry.  By looking at the "limits" of problem we can open up all kinds of possibilities if those "limits" are something that we're subconsciously imposing on ourselves.  This reminds me a technique I use sometimes called reverse brainstorming.  I look at a problem and ask "how can I make this fail?" it helps bring the essential factors needed for a successful solution to the surface.  These are great for solving creative problems but there are situations where I think it's hard to throw away the notion of limits, say for example when dealing with budgets!  

 I found the concept of "Giving an A" fascinating.  Its not so much casting away assessment as it is casting away the pressures associated with standard assessment that hinder our ability to strive for something greater.  In a business situation I could see this as the difference between presenting someone an assignment and saying "If you finish this" vs. "When you finish this."  One implies you might struggle, one implies you will succeed.  I cringe when I hear my peers apply this kind of subliminal pessimism.  Hopelessly optimistic, I'm always looking for the silver lining and giving people the benefit of the doubt.  I like the idea of keeping a positive outlook and harboring a premonition of success but I also think the "student" has to be motivated to succeed.  

The examples the Zanders provide in the book are great illustrations of how these techniques can be used to foster a sense of possibility in others.  I'm definitely breaking out the visual experiment from chapter 1 the next time I'm in a creative problem solving scenario and the group is stuck.  It might not always be relevant but it's a great tool for inspiring thinking and establishing a dialogue. “

Hutch,

I remember a few instructors using the “Currently you have an A speech”. I loved the idea than and I love it now. I like that what you took away from the book was that success is going to happen and the possibility of achievement instead of the challenge.

A few months ago our assistant superintendent met with a group of us and gave a few lines of what I thought at the time a line of junk. He said we are all responsible for the success of LISD TV. I really think he read this book before meeting with us. Your example of pulling the content out during your next creative project makes me question if others will think the same that I did.

Maybe you could read your coworkers the book first so they can have a simple understanding as we do. I would love to go back to the meeting months ago after reading this book. I would have been on board and understood our administrator’s comments much better.

I fear others will just laugh if I pulled this out, but I’m going to try it as well.

Sunny