creative problem solving best practices

Student Affairs 2011Off-site Retreat

In 2011…get on the road to

Greatness

Dare to be Great

• Take Calculated Risks• Set STRETCH Goals• Embrace Change• Run Towards Challenges• Lean Into Discomfort• Take on NEW Responsibilities• Find GREAT Allies

“Good is the Enemy of Great.”

Jim Collins

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what

you believe is great work. . .”

Steve Jobs

Revisit SA Values & Mission Statement

VALUES Accessibility Collaboration Friendliness Reliability and accountability Respect for individual differences and diversity Resourcefulness

MISSION StatementStudent Affairs provides comprehensive services and diverse opportunities that enhance the learning environment and support the needs of our dynamic student body. We strive to promote personal growth and wellness, encourage leadership development and social responsibility, and support success during and after college.

Creative Problem Solving

That’s How It’s ALWAYS Been Done

DO IT Approach

D Define the problem

O Open your mind & apply creative techniques

I Identify the Solution

T Transform: implement the solution using an action plan

Task Owner Contributors Start End Contingencies Status

1. Find new work space for staff

Carol Jackson

2/1 4/1 Available capacity Open

1a: Explore space in Main building

Misty Beasley; Melissa Benca; Diana Nash; Paul Grayson; Emmalyn Yamrick; Rosemary Ampuero

2/1 2/15 Available capacity Open

Brainstorming

Brainwriting

The Disney Creative Strategy

Dreamer Realist Critic

Go through all 3 stages

Starbursting

Starbursting

IDEA / IssueChallenge

WHO

WHAT

HOW

WHERE

WHEN

WHY

Metaphorical Thinking

Student

Services

HealthWellness

Careers

AdvisementHousingMajor/minor

RetentionFacilities

Provocation

Attribute Listing

Student Development

CareerServices

Counseling ResidenceLife

Leadership Internships Crisis Intervention Student Housing

Coaching & Mentoring

Self-Assessments Academic Advising

Roommate Matching

Employer Matching

Reframing Matrix

4 Perspective Approach!

• Product/Service Perspective: Is something WRONG with the product?• Planning Perspective: Are our business plans faulty?• Potential Perspective: If we increase our workload, projects, service offerings, how would we achieve this?• People Perspective: Do we have the right people in the right jobs?

Problem Perspective: X X X

Planning Perspective: X X X

Potential Perspective: X X X

People Perspective: X X X

Problem Being Addressed

Seeking Inspiration

Help Is AllAround You

Seek Help Online

Conflict Is a GOOD Thing…

“Conflict is the gadfly of thought. It stirs us to

observation and memory. It instigates to invention. It

shocks us out of sheep like passivity, and sets us at noting

and contriving.”

John Dewey

“Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it

literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were

created by people who recognized a problem a turned it into an

opportunity.”

Joseph Sugarman

OH THE PLACES YOU WILL GOSo,Be your name Buxbaum or Bixby or BrayOr Mordecai Ali Van Allen O’SheaYour off to great places.Today is your day!Your mountain is waiting.So…get on your way.

Dr. Seuss