The Art of Imagination: Foundations for Innovation

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

Imagination is not just a creative skill. It is an important workplace capability that supports innovation, adaptability, problem-solving and our ability to envision possibilities beyond what already exists. Yet as adults, opportunities to actively use and strengthen imagination often disappear from our daily work.

This highly interactive workshop explores imagination as a skill that can be developed and intentionally practised. Participants examine the relationship between imagination, creativity and innovation, experience practical ways to strengthen imaginative thinking, and explore how individuals and teams can create the conditions for new ideas, experimentation and possibility.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• Teams and individuals looking to strengthen creativity and innovation
• Leaders seeking to encourage new ideas and experimentation
• Teams navigating change or looking for new approaches to existing challenges
• Organizations wanting to build creativity, adaptability and innovative thinking
• Anyone who wants to rediscover and strengthen their capacity for imagination

PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN:

• The role of imagination in creativity and innovation
• How imagination can be developed and strengthened through practice
• How to cultivate a mindset that supports imaginative thinking
• How to create conditions that encourage exploration and appropriate risk-taking
• Practical strategies for strengthening individual and team imagination
• How to incorporate imagination into everyday work

COURSE OUTLINE

Introduction

• Setting objectives and intentions
• Exploring the foundations of play and how we learn
• Easing into experiential work

The Power of Imagination

• Understanding imagination as a workplace capability
• Exploring the relationship between imagination, creativity and innovation
• Examining what happens to imagination as we move into adulthood
• Rediscovering our capacity to imagine possibilities

Cultivating an Imaginative Mindset

• Identifying barriers to imaginative thinking
• Moving beyond conventional thinking and familiar solutions
• Exploring curiosity, experimentation and appropriate risk-taking
• Becoming more comfortable with uncertainty and possibility
• Imagination, Well-Being and Adaptability
• Exploring the relationship between imagination and well-being
• Using imagination to envision possibilities and alternative futures
• Connecting imagination with adaptability and resilience
• Understanding the value of play in adult learning and growth

Imagination as a Practice

• Understanding why imagination requires practice
• Exploring the concept of “rehearsal” in adulthood
• Incorporating imagination into everyday routines
• Developing practical habits that encourage creative thinking

Fostering Team-Based Imagination

• Creating conditions where ideas can emerge
• Encouraging exploration and experimentation
• Building on the ideas and perspectives of others
• Moving from individual imagination to collective possibility

Developing the Action Plan

• Identifying opportunities to use imagination at work
• Establishing individual commitments
• Identifying opportunities for team-based imaginative practice
• Turning ideas into practical next steps

Summary and Evaluations

• Review of key learning
• Final reflections and commitments
• Workshop evaluation

METHODS TO BE USED

This workshop is highly interactive and uses Play-Doh Power Solutions, a hands-on experiential learning methodology that combines tactile creation, colour, metaphor, reflection and facilitated discussion. Participants engage in individual and collaborative activities that challenge familiar ways of thinking and encourage exploration, imagination and new possibilities.

Research and concepts related to imagination, creativity, adult learning and well-being are combined with experiential activities, discussion, reflection and action planning so participants can translate imaginative thinking into practical workplace application.