Michael Michalko

When Sparks Fly: A book review by Bob Morris

November 10, 2013

When Sparks Fly: Igniting Creativity in Groups Dorothy Leonard-Barton and Walter C. Swap Harvard Business Review Press (2005) How to Activate the Maverick Synapses Note: I read this book many years ago and then composed the review that follows. Books…

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Ken Robinson on the arts and the sciences

September 5, 2012

In his latest book, Ken Robinson observes in Chapter 7 that being creative is not only about thinking; it is also about feeling. For example, “Among the legacies of the Enlightenment and Romanticism are many common-sense but mistaken assumptions about the differences between the arts…

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Creative Thinkering: A book review by Bob Morris

March 30, 2012

Creative Thinkerin: Putting Your Imagination to Work Michael Michalko New World Library (2011) How and why conceptual blending of dissimilar subjects, ideas, and concepts is the most important factor in creative thinking Those who have read any of Michael Michalko’s previously…

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Imagine: A book review by Bob Morris

March 19, 2012

Imagine: How Creativity Works Jonah Lehrer Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (2012) How and why our ability to imagine what has never existed is “our most important mental talent” An abundance of books and articles continues to be produced as research in…

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21 Ways to Kill Your Creativity

February 20, 2012

Here is an excerpt from an article written by Michael Michalko, author of business classics that include Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius (2001), Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Creative-Thinking Techniques, 2nd Edition (2006), and Creative Thinkering: Putting Your Imagination…

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Cracking Creativity: A book review by Bob Morris

October 5, 2011

Cracking Creativity: The Secrets of Creative Genius Michael Michalko Ten Speed Press (1998) Note: Here’s another business classic, published 13 years ago, that is even more relevant now than ever before. According to Michalko, what are the best strategies for “cracking” the…

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Lessons to be learned from Pixar about a “creative culture”

October 1, 2011

Here is my take on what Bill Capodagli and Lynn Jackson learned during a lengthy and probing study of the Pixar culture: 1. Celebrate failure with the same intensity as you celebrate success. View each setback as a precious learning…

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A Kick in the Seat of the Pants: A book review by Bob Morris

August 31, 2011

 A Kick in the Seat of the Pants:
Using Your Explorer, Artist, Judge & Warrior to Be More Creative Roger von Oech Harper Paperbacks (1988) This book should be read in combination with A Whack on the Side of the Head…preferably…

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A Whack on the Side of the Head: A book review by Bob Morris

August 29, 2011

A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative
 Roger von Oech Business Plus, 25th Anniversary Edition  (2008) Note: When preparing for some interviews, I re-read several books on the creative process and remain convinced…

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Six Action Shoes : A book review by Bob Morris

August 28, 2011

Six Action Shoes Edward De Bono Longman Higher Education (1991) Note: When preparing for some interviews, I recently re-read several books on the creative process and remain convinced that all are still among the best. For example…. A Shoe for…

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