Thinking Outside the Box

I find inspiration in the oddest places. Sometimes it’s the simple things in nature -- insects, clouds, moss -- or in things as complicated as the code for a smooth-running website. But, hands down, my best ideas come from working with others who have had different experiences and backgrounds, both professionally and culturally.

A diverse team of minds brings just that -- different points of view -- and that is a good thing. Mixing it up in experience, age, ethnicity and ways of thinking can bring a great mix of ideas to the table.

Consultant and writer Tom Payne, WIFI’s feature speaker for Vegas 2015, will show us how to harness the power that comes from having a team that is made up of different minds, skills and talents. Get Your Smart On: Innovation & Solutions from Out-of-the-Box Thinking will do just that -- make you think!

I hope to learn a lot. For example:

How to confidently throw out an idea that might sound dumb to me.

How to think the opposite of what I’m thinking.

How to be reckless and rock the boat.

How to take an idea and run with it, and correct it as I go.

How to combine creativity with authenticity and action.

We all have experience, whether in school or on the job, and sharing it with others in brainstorming sessions is fun and worthwhile. It stirs the pot and keeps the ingredients fresh. If you work in an office that has a good mix, then don’t hesitate to take advantage of it.

At WIFI Vegas, you will learn from Tom how to grab the talent that sits in the cubicle next to you and mix it with your abilities to create new ways of doing business.

One of my favorite writers and thinkers is Paul Arden. Here is his diagram of Arden's Life’s Creative Circle. I like to look at this graphic and think about my creative circle. It’s always evolving. I’ve mixed it up with many others who are in different areas of the circle, and that has made my professional life richer and more creative. I’m still learning from colleagues who are in different sections of the circle, and when we get together to brainstorm, it’s always interesting and productive because we bring such a mix to the table.

Wherever you are in the Creative Circle, just know that the experience you share with others can bring a wealth of ideas. Tom will show us how to take those ideas and implement them. He’ll teach us how to get out of the “we’ve always done it this way” rut and expand our thinking, creativity and success.

Get Your Smart On. We can all use some of that.