You want to improve your team's creative thinking skills in R&D. What are the best ways to do it?

In my Experience: 1. Encourage team members to investigate other viewpoints and pose questions in order to cultivate curiosity. 2. Challenge presumptions: Raise critical thinking by casting doubt on accepted wisdom. 3. Encourage a culture of learning by offering chances for ongoing education and skill advancement. 4. Extend horizons: Promote the investigation of novel notions, theories, and inspiration sources. 5. Come up with original ideas: Innovation and breakthroughs are fueled by curiosity, which stimulates creativity.

Here are some concise tips to improve creative thinking skills in R&D teams: - Brainstorming sessions - Encourage wild ideas without judgment - Mind mapping - Visualize connections and patterns - Design thinking workshops - Empathize, ideate, prototype - Rotate members across teams - Fresh perspectives - Attend innovation conferences - Gather new approaches - Set creativity goals/KPIs - Metrics to motivate - "Artist in residence" - Collaborate across functions - Innovation competitions - Reward top ideas - Creative spaces - Inspiring environments spark creativity

This starts with psychological safety, for anyone to question the status quo or to invest time into something new, they need to know they can do it with the safety that if it doesn't work, it's something to learn from.

Start with something you wish existed but does not. Do not be put off by perceived technological or other constraints to realizing your vision. Follow Robert Kennedy's philosophy, who said “Some men see things as they are, and ask why. I dream of things that never were, and ask why not.”

It is imperative to promote a culture where questioning is valued over immediate answers. Encourage team members to dedicate time to learning about areas outside their expertise. For instance: Host regular "Curiosity Hours" where team members present on topics unrelated to current projects but that spark interest, such as new technological trends, scientific breakthroughs, or even art and philosophy.

Actively seek out individuals with varied backgrounds, not just in terms of discipline but also culture, experience, and thinking styles. This diversity brings different perspectives and can lead to more innovative solutions. Example: When assembling project teams, intentionally mix veterans with new hires, engineers with designers, and scientists with marketers to tackle problems from multiple angles.

Create a "lab" environment where experimentation is part of the daily routine. Encourage prototyping not as a final step but as an ongoing process throughout a project. This can look like an example where one sets aside resources and space for a "tinkering lab" where team members can build prototypes or experiment with new technologies without the pressure of immediate results.

Foster a psychologically safe environment where team members feel comfortable expressing unconventional ideas without fear of ridicule or retribution. Example: Initiate regular "failure forums" where team members share projects or ideas that didn't work out as planned, focusing on learning and brainstorming ways to improve or pivot.