Looking to improve your next workshop or team meeting?

The Six Thinking Hats technique is a powerful tool for improving group discussions. It helps teams brainstorm, solve problems, and make decisions by focusing everyone on one type of thinking at a time. Instead of an unstructured conversation where people might talk over each other or get stuck on a single perspective, this method provides a framework that ensures all viewpoints are heard and considered.

When people brainstorm new ideas, they often think creatively and explore possibilities beyond the usual boundaries. This is the divergent phase of thinking. But when it comes to narrowing down those ideas, many tend to settle on familiar, safe options. This common trap is known as the ‘creative paradox’ or ‘creadox’ - where creativity seems to stall at the point of choosing which ideas to pursue. A simple but effective way to overcome this is by using the How-Now-Wow matrix.

To spark creativity by working with constraints and building upon existing ideas. This warm-up exercise gets the creative juices flowing by challenging participants to find possibilities in a given starting point. This activity is a fantastic way to overcome a blank page. The provided shape acts as a creative constraint that forces participants to think differently. It’s a low-pressure way to start a workshop and get everyone's minds engaged. Distribute materials (paper and p

To encourage spontaneous storytelling and improvisation. This fun and simple activity helps participants practice building on each other's ideas in a low-pressure, fast-paced environment. This is a classic improvisation game that demonstrates the power of collaborative storytelling. Each person's contribution is a key piece of the puzzle, and the team must work together to create a cohesive (or hilariously chaotic) narrative. Seat everyone in a circle for easy conversation fl

To encourage quick thinking, improvisation, and the ability to find creative connections between seemingly unrelated concepts. This game is a low-stakes way to practice "thinking on your feet." This activity forces participants to create a narrative and a purpose for a novel concept in real time. It encourages them to move beyond a product's basic function and think about its potential uses and features from a persuasive, "sales" perspective. Choose an "expert." One person is

To remove the fear of failure and judgment from the creative process, encouraging participants to explore unconventional solutions. This exercise teaches that even a "bad" idea can contain a kernel of genius. This activity flips the script on traditional brainstorming. Instead of trying to find the perfect idea, teams are challenged to find the hidden value in a terrible one. This pushes them to be more creative and less self-critical, creating a safe space for all ideas, no

To promote collaboration, rapid prototyping, and effective communication under pressure. This classic team-building exercise is a powerful demonstration of how diverse skills and clear planning are essential for success. This challenge tests a team's ability to plan, execute, and adapt. The limited materials and time force groups to work together efficiently, often leading to unexpected discoveries about leadership and teamwork. The marshmallow must be at the very top of the