Discover the power of play in problem-solving with Michelle Lee. Learn about transitioning from engineering to toy design, the shift in problem-solving approaches, and how embracing a playful mindset can enhance creativity and collaboration. Michelle Lee shares insights on leveraging complexity for innovative problem-solving and the importance of creativity in finding solutions.
Embracing play and imagination can challenge assumptions and enable innovative problem-solving.
Transitioning from engineering to toy design allows the integration of problem-solving skills with playful thinking.
Deep dives
The Power of Play for Problem Solving
Play is a powerful tool that can help us approach complex problems with creativity and curiosity. By embracing play and imagination, we can challenge assumptions, think outside the box, and explore multiple possibilities in problem solving. Michelle Lee, a play expert at IDEO, emphasizes the importance of adopting a playful mindset to tackle challenges and engage in social play to gather diverse perspectives.
Transition from Engineering to Toy Design
Michelle Lee's transition from engineering to toy design was motivated by a desire to blend work and play. Growing up with a love for math and science, she initially pursued engineering as a practical career choice. However, her passion for creativity and problem-solving led her to explore toy design, offering her the freedom to innovate and create without rigid constraints. This shift allowed her to integrate her problem-solving skills with playful thinking.
Divergence and Convergence in Problem-Solving
Michelle highlights the importance of divergent thinking before converging on solutions. In her experience, engineering focused on finding a single right answer, while design thinking emphasizes exploring multiple possibilities. By encouraging divergent thought processes through playful exercises like the 'blast off to the moon' activity, teams can generate innovative ideas and overcome the fear of failure, leading to more creative problem-solving approaches.
The Magic Circle of Playful Problem Solving
Michelle introduces the concept of the 'magic circle,' a space where different rules apply, creating conditions for play and creativity. Utilizing intentional playfulness in problem-solving environments helps teams de-risk ideas, engage stakeholders, and foster a collaborative spirit. By encouraging engagement, generative thinking, and tangible experimentation, the 'magic circle' approach enables individuals to break free from conventional thinking and explore fresh perspectives for solving complex challenges.
Learn about how play gives us permission to dream and diverge, think outside the box, and discover solutions to unprecedented problems with Michelle Lee, Managing Director at IDEO and Instructor of our newest Creative Thinking for Complex Solving course.
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