Bookshelf

We do a lot of reading and research (I sometimes think my reading glasses never come off…) and as a result our library is ever-expanding.  We thought you might like to know a bit more about what’s in the bookshelf and which books we would be happy to recommend.

Book Reviews

The Ten Faces of Innovation: IDEO’s Strategies for Defeating the Devil’s Advocate and Driving Creativity Throughout Your Organization by Tom Kelley

This is a wonderful guide to nurturing business creativity and innovation from Tom Kelley, the MD of IDEO (a world famous design firm that has developed hundreds of innovative products including the Palm Pilot) and the author of the best selling book The Art of Innovation. As IDEO’s spokesperson, he addresses a multitude of business audiences in using innovation to transform strategic thinking.

Kelley draws upon almost 20 years of experience managing IDEO and develops 10 characters people can play to inspire innovation and new ideas in an organization while also overcoming the ‘devil’s advocate’ who stifle that creativity.

The characters created by Kelley include The Hurdler, The Caregiver, The Collaborator, The Cross-Pollinator, The Experimenter, The Anthropologist, The Experience Architect, The Set Designer, The Storyteller and The Director. There are also examples and stories from companies such as Kraft, Samsung and Proctor & Gamble who have adopted IDEO’s thinking.

Creativity at Work: Developing the Right Practices to Make Innovation Happen (University of Michigan Business School Management) by Jeff DeGraff and Katherine A Lawrence

This practical and straightforward book should be on every manager’s and individual’s bookshelf. It’s full of valuable suggestions and has a tangible approach to creativity in the workplace that would no double produce results and real value.

In the book, the authors identify four main creativity profiles. They are Incubate for long-term development; Imagine for breakthrough ideas; Improve for incremental adjustments; and Invest for short-term goals.

Each profile is best suited to a certain kind or business purpose and has its own distinctive practices. The different profiles describe specific needs, practices and people which are clearly illustrated in the book and include numerous examples. Choose and follow the creativity profile that suits your need and you’ll be well on your way to making innovation happen.

Running Meetings: Expert Solutions to Everyday Challenges (Pocket Mentor) by Nick Morgan

The compact size and commonsense approach of this book makes it simple to understand and easy to grab and refer when needed. The ‘meeting dilemma’ sprinkled throughout the book are interesting and realistic, as are the proposed solutions.

This guide also provides very useful tools such as sample templates for planning a meeting, preparing an agenda and for the communication following the meeting.

The Art of Creative Thinking: How to Be Innovative and Develop Great Ideas by John Adair

Do you want to understand the creative process better, be able to overcome some of those barriers to creative thinking, and perhaps be inspired to greater self learning? If yes was your answer then this descriptive and easy to read book is for you.

We all know being creative and coming up with new ideas gives business a competitive edge and can be equally as rewarding for the individual. The practical steps in this book can help you to develop a creative attitude, expand your terms of reference and become a more confident, effective thinker.

At the end of each chapter, key points provide a wonderful snapshot and summary of that chapter’s main theme. There are numerous anecdotes and quotes throughout the book which clearly illustrate John Adair’s concepts of creative thinking and how it has been applied in an array of situations. Also included are some practical checklists to prompt your creative thinking and problem solving abilities.

John Adair is an author of more than 50 books including Leadership and Motivation and Leadership for Innovation, as well as being a teacher and a consultant. He is a leading authority on leadership and leadership development and has advised many business, government, education and health organizations.

Our Iceberg Is Melting: Changing and Succeeding Under Any Conditions by John Kotter with Holger Rathgeber

This is an excellently written and illustrated book which will have you in turn smiling, laughing and nodding as you easily associate different characters with people you work with, know or it could even be yourself!

Other Recommended Reading

Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono

The Six Thinking Hat method has become well known and used all over the world. It is very useful as it imposes self-discipline whilst allowing stimulating discussion and purposeful thinking. It’s a must have in your idea evaluation toolbox.

Aha! 10 Ways to Free Your Creative Spirit and Find Your Great Ideas by Jordan Ayan

Jordan Ayan is a sought after speaker and consultant in the world of creativity. His company, Create-It! Inc has worked with many corporations including Price Waterhouse, NASA, and Kimberly Clark. This book covers 20 strategies to understand and aid your creative process.

Boost Your Creativity: Exercises and Advice For Great Creative Thinking by Robert Allen

This book includes seven techniques for unlocking your creative powers with exercises, real life examples and self-assess quizzes.

The Management Guide to Running Meetings: The Pocket Manager by Kate Keenan

This book is a quick and easy read designed to help you run successful and productive meetings

Creativity Games for Trainers: A Handbook of Group Activities for Jumpstarting Workplace Creativity (McGraw-Hill Training Series) by Dr Robert Epstein

An imaginative collection of games, activities and exercises designed to teach problem solving skills and challenge your creative thinking abilities. The new insights in this book are based on 15 years of scientific research