You are required to complete the following creative-thinking exercises and compare your answers to those of others in the group.

1. Think of the members of your work group or study group for a few minutes and consider their personalities, the dynamics of the group, the communication patterns and so on.

■ If they were a sports team, what would they be?

■ If they were a product of nature (flower, tree, bird, animal), what would they be?

■ If you were to draw a building representing their major characteristics, what would it be?

Fully discuss your answer with others in the group and compare responses.

2. Write a limerick starting with the line: ‘There was a fine manager called . . .’ OR write a six-line poem starting with the words: ‘If only I had . . .’.

3. In a small group, identify blocks to your creative thinking and consider ways in which these blocks could be minimised or eliminated.

Discussion

■ How can creativity be best developed and managed within the workplace?

■ Is it possible for all people in workplaces to be creative?

■ What insights does this exercise provide?