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Becoming a Better Problem Solver Through Creative Thinking

Creative problem solving isn’t just for artists, designers, or inventors. It’s a skill that anyone can develop, practice, and apply in daily life, from making business decisions to choosing where to go for lunch. While many people dismiss themselves as “not creative,” the truth is that creativity is not an innate gift reserved for a few. It is a mindset and a method that can be strengthened like any other ability.

In this article:

 

 

Creativity Is a Skill, Not a Mystery

At its core, creativity is the combination of knowledge, imagination, and evaluation. It’s not about painting a masterpiece or writing poetry; it’s about generating original ideas, expressing them clearly, and shaping them into workable solutions. Research suggests that adults use less than 10% of their creativity on any given day. Why so little? Much of it can be traced back to learned behaviors:

  • Peer pressure and “rules” in childhood teach people to color inside the lines.
  • Quick fixes and short-term thinking reduce opportunities to explore deeper solutions.
  • Familiarity can stifle imagination; knowing “too much” about how things have always been done limits openness to new possibilities.

What holds creativity back most often isn’t a lack of ideas—it’s fear. Fear of being wrong, of wasting time, of breaking tradition, or of being judged. Overcoming these barriers means creating space for experimentation and being willing to make mistakes.

The good news is that creativity can be reawakened and strengthened with intentional habits.

 

 

How to Tap Into Greater Creativity

Several simple strategies can help expand creative capacity:

  • Focus on strengths. Leveraging natural talents sparks fresh approaches and creates a cycle of confidence and imagination.
  • Prioritize rest. A full night’s sleep is linked to stronger problem-solving and idea generation.
  • Move the body. Morning exercise jump-starts brain activity and opens space for new connections.
  • Consume new ideas. Reading, listening to podcasts, and exploring different perspectives fuels imagination.

Creativity also thrives on perspective shifts. Taking a “mood elevator” approach—mentally stepping back or viewing a challenge from a higher level—broadens vision. What looks unsolvable on the ground floor may seem manageable from the penthouse view.

 

 

Helping Others Become More Creative

The workplace, in particular, benefits when leaders encourage imaginative thinking. Ways to cultivate creativity in teams include:

  • Avoiding shutdowns. Instead of saying “we’ve tried that before,” encourage exploration of even imperfect ideas.
  • Promoting big thinking. Lofty concepts often contain seeds that can be scaled into practical solutions.
  • Shifting viewpoints. Consider problems from different stakeholder perspectives: customers, suppliers, shareholders, or frontline employees. A new vantage point can reveal hidden opportunities.

 

 

 Defining the Real Problem

One of the most overlooked aspects of problem solving is ensuring the problem itself is defined correctly. A classic case study illustrates this: a hotel received constant complaints that its elevators were too slow. Engineers debated expensive solutions like installing new equipment. Eventually, someone asked if the real issue was the elevator speed, or simply that guests were bored while waiting. The hotel installed mirrors next to the elevators. Guests became occupied with checking their appearance, and the complaints disappeared.

The lesson: spend time clarifying the true challenge before rushing to solutions. As Albert Einstein said, “If I had an hour to save the world, I’d spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute solving it.” Slow down to clarify problems, explore diverse viewpoints, and test new approaches yields far stronger outcomes.

 

Dr. Min Basadur’s Simplex Model

One proven framework for turning creativity into a practical tool is Dr. Min Basadur’s Simplex model, a cycle of creative problem solving used by organizations around the world. The model emphasizes that creativity is not a single step, but a continuous process of exploration, refinement, and implementation.

The model includes four core phases:

  1. Clarity – Define the problem accurately. Ask whether the issue is truly what it seems, or whether the challenge lies elsewhere.
  2. Ideate – Generate ideas without constraints. Encourage wild thinking and resist shutting down possibilities too soon. The best solutions often emerge after the obvious options are exhausted.
  3. Develop – Evaluate and refine ideas. Build on the promising ones, assess feasibility, and prioritize based on cost, impact, or timing.
  4. Implement – Put the chosen solution into action. Too many ideas die in the planning stage; true problem solving requires follow-through.

Importantly, Basadur highlighted that once a solution is implemented, it often creates new challenges, which are opportunities to begin the cycle again. Creativity, then, is not a one-and-done effort, but a continual process of learning and problem solving.

 

Creative problem solving is not about being artistic, quirky, or unconventional for its own sake. It’s about using structured thinking, curiosity, and openness to generate better answers. By treating creativity as a skill to be cultivated—through rest, perspective shifts, encouragement, and models like Dr. Min Basadur’s Simplex process—individuals and teams can unlock solutions that might otherwise remain hidden.

The next time a challenge arises, resist the urge to search for a quick fix. Step back, clarify the real problem, and then allow imagination to do its work. The results may surprise you.

Need help getting yourself and others feeling creative? Reach out here!

 

To learn more about creative problem solving, check out this episode of The JoyPowered® Workspace Podcast: