β Scribed by Susan C. King
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
Two related words are frequently heard among HRD professionals these days: creativity and improvement. Changes in the way the world does business have put companies on the alert that they must improve or become extinct. Organizations have become increasingly competitive and, as a result, need highly developed creative abilities to solve complex problems. But the way we see problems often is the problem. Trying new things is not always as easy as it sounds. How do you manage imagination?Many experts believe that we should "leap and the net will appear." Actually, this idea has some merit. There are specific ways for HRD professionals to encourage organizations and their individual members to make that leap of faith. Some of these methods are very simple, like encouraging employees to answer requests from other employees and to share information across all departmental and political boundaries. Others are more esoteric, like assuring that all actions are directed toward system objectives. The point is, there are theories to be tested and practices to be reviewed so that individuals and organizations can reap the rewards of the creativity of which they are capable.
The purpose of this Forum article is to provide a catalyst for generating fresh questions about creativity Although it may be presumptuous to assume that this article alone might provoke more creative thought, it is hoped that it may stimulate theory building and enhanced practice regarding creativity and problem solving within the HRD context.
The first question is: Who can solve problems? The short answer is that everyone can potentially solve problems. Robinson and Stern (1997) note that the key is not in identifymg creative people but in encouragng creativity in everyone. They go on to discuss elements linked to creativity; some apply to individuals and some to organizations. HRD deals with both and is thus welt-positioned Note: I would like to thank Dr. Gene L. Roth, Northern Illinois University, for his insights and critiques.
FORUM is a nonrefereed section inviting readerr' reactions and opinions.
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