Escape The Box – Developing Creative Thinking

When approaching problems, we tend to have pre-conceived notions of what can and cannot be done. We often limit ourselves even before exploring all the various options. We create a “box” based on our knowledge and past experiences as well as our perceived limitations. We then put ourselves in that box and discount our creativity. We tend impose limits on ourselves, often relying on “the way we’ve done it before”, or “the way it’s always been done”. If the problem still persists, that way obviously didn’t work! 

Effective problem solving often needs creativity. Dealing with new problems needs new ideas, and sometimes, old problems can be addressed in better, more creative ways. This takes practice, and a willingness to escape our comfort zone…our box, but it can be learned. As with all things, the more you practice, the better you become.

It’s time we trained ourselves to think outside the box and consider ALL options to solving a problem; it’s time to get creative.

This program will introduce participants to various tools and techniques to develop options for solutions to problems. The tools essentially encourage creativity and can be used to develop new ideas, not just to solve problems.

By the end of this fun, engaging and enriching workshop, learners will be able to:

• Understand the fundamental concept of a problem 
• Recognise the limitations we place on ourselves/thought patterns
• Develop a mindset that applies creative thinking to problem solving 
• Practice/Use creative problem solving tools to ideate 
  • Brainstorming 
  • Braindumping 
  • Brainwriting 
  • Brainwalking

Learning Methodology

• Presentation
• Group Activities 
• Exercises
• Discussion
• Hands-on practice

All Levels of Management, People Managers, Team Leaders, Supervisors, HR Professionals, Anyone that works in or leads a team. The program is extremely relevant to, but not limited to, supervisors and managers, especially those faced with dynamic work environments where a variety of issues constantly need to be addressed. 

Anybody who is interested in developing solutions or generating new ideas. The tools and techniques are generic and can apply to all aspects of life, but would be extremely beneficial for those charged with leading teams to develop solutions or design new products/techniques/systems.

ACTA, 6Seconds Emotional Intelligence Trainer/Coach, ENNEAGRAM Personality Spectrum Trainer/Coach, Marshall Goldsmith Certified Coach

With a background as a military officer, sales executive. advertising executive/copywriter, senior corporate management, government service, training, emceeing and acting, Sean O’Hara has done it all and seen it all.

Prominent organisations he has worked with include the Ministry of Defence, Singapore General Hospital, Immigration and Checkpoints Authority, National Environment Agency, Club 21, CPF Board, as well as audiences & groups from Africa, Europe and the US.

With over 20 years experience conducting, facilitating and administering training programmes, Sean is comfortable working with groups and individuals from all walks of life at across all socio-cultural sphere. He is an engaging and charismatic facilitator that knows how to keep energy levels high and participants involved.

After a six year career as a Guards Officer in the Singapore Army, he eventually joined the US Embassy where he managed the training programmes for Singapore & Brunei. In 2011, he expanded his repertoire to include facilitation and coaching after getting various certifications. He also went into consultancy work was engaged by a local family business as the consultant GM to bring the company to public listing; a task achieved in just over two years.

This experience alone qualifies him as a knowledgeable and experienced facilitator at the corporate level across virtually all functions of the organisation. On top of all this, he is a university lecturer focusing on a myriad of management and behavioural courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, allowing him to contextualise real world experiences into management theory.

Having worked with students, blue collar workers executives and senior leadership as well as Ambassadors and senior government officials from three governments, his approach is to engage learners at a level they are comfortable with and accustomed to and to develop empathy for others in the organisation to see things through different lenses.

He has appeared in several sitcoms and TV dramas and is hence a bit of a showman who knows the nuances of entertainment to make learning fun even at the expense of laughing at himself!