In the business world, there are systems and processes for just about everything else. Yet creativity and innovation, arguably THE most important aspects of progress, are often left to happen by chance. The system provides a scaffolding for creative support and exploration, yet is open enough to avoid curbing creativity or outputting cookie-cutter solutions.

Creativity is what will separate the winners from the also-rans in the emerging world of business - and life.

Institutions too often focus their energy preserving the problem to which they are a solution than to innovate their way to success.

Separate out the creative act from the act of editing and execution. Make it a two-step process. First, let ideas flow and encourage EVERY idea to make it to the whiteboard. Don't criticize, judge, edit, budget, or worry. An idea on the wall can't hurt anyone, so let them rip without restriction. After any and all ideas have the opportunity to "come out to play", only then should you apply your analytical and logical side to the effort. Don't mix the creative process with the editing process or you'll kill your ideas before they even get a fighting chance.

You can't be great at everything, but you are world-class at something. Go. Figure out what that is. It's how you win.

We can no longer rely on the rules of the past to win.

Anyone can notice wrong answers. It takes the creative person to notice the wrong questions.