Fredrik Härén's Blog, page 5

The Creativity Suite. Episode 146: Think in Plural

Interview with Professor Pamela Burnard, Professor of Arts, Creativities and Educations (ACE) at the University of Cambridge.

 

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Here is perhaps one of the easiest ways of having a more open mindset around an issue: Think in plural.

Instead of “creativity” think of “creativities”, because there is not “one” creativity, there are multiple creativities. Artistic creativity, logical creativity, collective creativity, rhythmic creativity and on and on and on. So thinking of “creativities” makes you appreciate the many different kinds of creative expression that we have.

I was inspired to think about the multitude of creativities by Professor Pamela Burnard at the University of Cambridge. Pamela is a Professor of Arts, Creativities and Educations (ACE) and has dedicated a big portion of her life to helping people become more creative.

By thinking of “creativities” instead of just “creativity” we instantly see a broader spectrum of what humans can create.

But the interesting thing is that thinking in plural works for many areas..

Like when we stopped thinking of “intelligence” as one thing and instead started to think of “intelligences”. (and perhaps we should not talk about “artificial intelligence” either, but “artificial intelligences”…)

Or when people started to think of “knowledges” instead of just “knowledge” to acknowledge the wide range of knowledges that people from different cultures can have about a subject.

According to Professor Pam (as she is affectionately referred to by her students) this is how you can practise the technique of thinking in plurals:

1) Add the plural to the topic you are working on.

For example: Think of “freedom” and how it changes when we think of “freedoms”.

Or, think of “fashion” and how it changes when we think of “fashions”.

2) Then ask yourself: What happens when we pluralise it?

(How does “gardening” change when we think of it as “gardenings”, when we think of not one garden, but of many different gardens. The garden for the micro-organisms, the garden for the worms, the garden for the humans and the garden for the birds etc.)

3) Finally reflect on how the changes you notice in your thinking can create new insights.

When you hear the word “inclusion” you think of certain things, but if you turn that into “inclusions” you automatically start to reflect on the need to think of a multitude of different ways of creating cultures of inclusion.

Professor Pamela shared how Cambridge University is one of the world’s most fertile grounds for pluralistic thinking where people from all parts of the world and with expertise from all kinds of fields come together in an environment that fosters, encourages and inspires the exchange of ideas.

She told me of one group of Chinese students who had come for a summer course and been immersed into the Cambridge mindset of pluralistic thinking and how their minds had, in the words of Professor Pamela, “exploded” with the different perspectives and freedoms they had been exposed to.

Professor Pamela Burnard, who is at the moment writing a book on “The Power of Pluralising Creativities” is passionate about giving people the gift of thinking in plural. Her own creativities range from playing in a band, teaching creativity, doing poetry slam and many other ways of creative expression.

To pluralise a topic is a simple way of making the mind think in a more open, diverse and flexible way.

Basically it gives you multiple minds to think with.

The post The Creativity Suite. Episode 146: Think in Plural first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

What is your ”Professional Resolution?” (Episode 242)

At the Airbnb my family is staying at while we are on a skiing holiday, the owner has a series of books called ”fact calendar”. Books with facts about the world. The last one is from 2015 (!) when the Internet had been around in Sweden for 20+ years and the iPhone had been around for 8…

 

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What old habits are you holding on to, that it’s time to update, upgrade or change?

 

What things will you do differently in your professional life this year?

 

My Professional Resolution is to become better at asking for help, advice and guidance in order to become better at what I do. 

 

My goal is to deliberately ask one person per day for a specific advice. 

 

I will start with today asking my LinkedIn readers: Based on your expertise, how do you recommend I improve my LinkedIn content?

The post What is your ”Professional Resolution?” (Episode 242) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

Around the World in 80 Selfies (Episode 240)

Many assume the highlight of the job as a keynote speaker is standing on grand stages in front of massive crowds. And while that’s exhilarating, it’s not the best part.

 

The real magic? The incredible, inspiring, and diverse people you get to meet along the way.

 

This year, instead of following the trend of AI-generated “year in reviews,” I created something personal: a movie of 80 selfies from around the world—80 moments of connection from Nigeria to Denmark, Vietnam to Switzerland, and beyond. 🌏📸

 

To everyone who shared a moment with me this year: thank you. You’ve made 2024 unforgettable. While I can’t tag everyone (there are too many of you), know that your impact stays with me. And for all I met who are not in this compilation, sorry for excluding you, but I wanted to keep it to 80 🙂 (Why 80? It’s, of course, my tribute to Jules Verne, a fellow Creativity Explorer 🚀)

 

Life is about connections with people. The conversations, lessons, and inspiration we give to and receive from one another is, perhaps more than anything else, what makes us human.

 

Here’s to 2024: the year of global connections, creativity, and endless inspiration. Cheers to more adventures in 2025! 🥂✨

 

👉 What’s been your most memorable meeting this year? Let’s share the inspiration!

 

Link to the LinkedIn video: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fredrikharen_aroundtheworld-creativityexplorer-globalconnections-activity-7275817994306359296-WPj8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 

 

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The post Around the World in 80 Selfies (Episode 240) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

Around the World in 80 Selfies (Episode 240)

Many assume the highlight of the job as a keynote speaker is standing on grand stages in front of massive crowds. And while that’s exhilarating, it’s not the best part.

 

The real magic? The incredible, inspiring, and diverse people you get to meet along the way.

 

This year, instead of following the trend of AI-generated “year in reviews,” I created something personal: a movie of 80 selfies from around the world—80 moments of connection from Nigeria to Denmark, Vietnam to Switzerland, and beyond. 🌏📸

 

To everyone who shared a moment with me this year: thank you. You’ve made 2024 unforgettable. While I can’t tag everyone (there are too many of you), know that your impact stays with me. And for all I met who are not in this compilation, sorry for excluding you, but I wanted to keep it to 80 🙂 (Why 80? It’s, of course, my tribute to Jules Verne, a fellow Creativity Explorer 🚀)

 

Life is about connections with people. The conversations, lessons, and inspiration we give to and receive from one another is, perhaps more than anything else, what makes us human.

 

Here’s to 2024: the year of global connections, creativity, and endless inspiration. Cheers to more adventures in 2025! 🥂✨

 

👉 What’s been your most memorable meeting this year? Let’s share the inspiration!

 

Link to the LinkedIn video: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fredrikharen_aroundtheworld-creativityexplorer-globalconnections-activity-7275817994306359296-WPj8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop 

 

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The post Around the World in 80 Selfies (Episode 240) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

The Creativity Suite. Episode 145: Let’s Do It!

Interview with Remco van Haastrecht, VP Operations at Solar Nederland in The Netherlands.

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Nike got it almost right with their iconic slogan: “Just Do It”.

But to me, the concise and beautiful message is hiding a flaw.

May I instead propose: “Let’s Do It.”

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Just Do It is telling someone to do something.

Let’s Do It is inviting someone to do what needs to be done.

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Just Do It is categorical. (It implies that the full sentence is “Just Do It, no matter the consequences.”)

Let’s Do It is inspirational.

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Just Do It is discouraging inputs from others. (“Don’t ask questions, Just Do it.”)

Let’s Do It is convincing someone without telling them.

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Just Do It is not taking the current moment into consideration. (Let’s say “do it” stands for “jump”, then it becomes “Just Jump!”)

While Let’s Do It becomes “Let’s Jump”, as in “This is the time to jump, the platform is close enough right now.”

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Just Do It is individual.

Let’s Do It is collaborative.

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Just Do It comes from a place of authority. (An authoritative officer, boss, coach or parent says “Just Do It.”)

Let’s Do It comes from a place of equality. (A friend, partner, colleague or teammate says “Let’s Do It.”)

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Want creative things to happen?

Do not just ‘Just Do It’.

Go out to the world with the message of “Let’s Do It.”

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This text was inspired by a conversation with Remco van Haastrecht, VP Operations at Solar Nederland in The Netherlands who introduced me to the idea behind “Let’s Do It” – a motto that has guided his career and life.

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The post The Creativity Suite. Episode 145: Let’s Do It! first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

Let’s Do It! (Episode 239)

Nike got it almost right with their iconic slogan: “Just Do It”.

But to me, the concise and beautiful message is hiding a flaw.

 

May I instead propose: “Let’s Do It.”

 

Just Do It is telling someone to do something.

Let’s Do It is inviting someone to do what needs to be done.

 

Just Do It is categorical. (It implies that the full sentence is “Just Do It, no matter the consequences.”)

Let’s Do It is inspirational.

 

Just Do It is discouraging inputs from others. (“Don’t ask questions, Just Do it.”)

Let’s Do It is convincing someone without telling them.

 

Just Do It is not taking the current moment into consideration. (Let’s say “do it” stands for “jump”, then it becomes “Just Jump!”)

While Let’s Do It becomes “Let’s Jump”, as in “This is the time to jump, the platform is close enough right now.”

 

Just Do It is individual.

Let’s Do It is collaborative.

 

Just Do It comes from a place of authority. (An authoritative officer, boss, coach or parent says “Just Do It.”)

Let’s Do It comes from a place of equality. (A friend, partner, colleague or teammate says “Let’s Do It.”)

 

Want creative things to happen?

 

Do not just ‘Just Do It’.

 

Go out to the world with the message of “Let’s Do It.”

 

This text was inspired by a conversation with Remco van Haastrecht, VP Operations at Solar Nederland in The Netherlands who introduced me to the idea behind “Let’s Do It” – a motto that has guided his career and life.

 

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The post Let’s Do It! (Episode 239) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

The Creativity Suite. Episode 144: The Unknown Need

Interview with Dave Harrison, former Sr. VP and Chief Marketing Officer at GAF.

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We are all aware of the Rumsfeld Matrix. That is: “Known knowns, Known unknowns, Unknown knowns and Unknown unknowns.”

 

But have you heard about the Harrison Matrix? Probably not, since I just invented it following a discussion with the very innovative Dave Harrison, former: Sr. VP and Chief Marketing Officer (among other things) at GAF, the world’s largest roofing manufacturer.

 

The Harrison Matrix is a variation of the customer and her needs.

 

Known needs – what the customer thinks she needs.

Known “unneeds” – what the customer knows she doesn’t need.

Unknown needs – what the customer doesn’t know she needs.

Unknown “unneeds” – what the customer doesn’t know but she doesn’t need.

 

Most marketeers and salespeople focus on the “known needs”, trying to convince people to buy their product by appealing to a need the customer thinks she has.

 

But Dave Harrison talked to me about the importance of also appealing to and primarily focusing on the “unknown needs” of the customer. When you get that message right, you’ll find your gold treasure.

 

Here is an example of leveraging the “unknown needs” from the roofing company GAF:

 

Most roofing companies promote their product as a great way to protect the house from extreme weather (rain, wind, snow, etc.) because that’s the customer’s known need.

 

And while it’s true that customers are looking for products and installation services that protect their home from extreme weather, Dave and his team at GAF went beyond promising solutions to known needs and added a primary focus on the “unknown needs” of roof buying customers.

 

What is the unknown need for people buying roofs? In the past, warm moist air generated from showers, sinks, and washing machines escaped through drafty windows, doors, and siding. Now, homes are energy efficient, and therefore that warm moist air is not escaping; it is going up into the attic.

 

Warm, moist air in the attic creates unknown but significant risks and problems. First, the attic becomes a perfect breeding ground for mold with added warm moisture and therefore puts your family’s health at risk, especially for asthma. Second, warm, moist air degrades the effectiveness of attic ventilation, resulting in higher energy costs. Third, heat trapped in the attic fries out the roof prematurely. Fourth, 90% of homeowners think they have a manufacturer lifetime warranty plus insurance coverage, but these protections are void the day the roof is installed. That’s because manufacturers and insurance require that the roof system is built according to attic ventilation roofing codes. Surprisingly, nine out of ten roofing contractors are not following ventilation requirements.

 

Do roofing customers know these tremendous risks? No! However, when marketing and sales share the reality and importance of this “unknown need” they are very keen to find a solution to it. And of course, that is just the solution that GAF’s roofing material and their aligned Master Elite roofing contractors are uniquely providing.

 

Under Dave Harrison’s leadership, GAF went from a weak #5 roofing company in North America to #1 and from $600 million to over $3 billion.

 

In summary, every other roofing company is selling “known needs” of protection from the weather,” but that approach doesn’t help you stand out. With that focus, there is no difference because all roofing material and installation are perceived as the same. You need to stand out and you do that by demonstrating you meet their known needs but are a much better option because you also uniquely solve their “unknown needs.”

 

Dave: “If people trust you, they will give you credit for delivering what they expect, which is their known need. But when you help customers understand the solution to important ‘unknown needs’ you both emotionally and logically reach deep into their ‘awareness blind spot’. By providing this insight, customers will be grateful and rewarded as loyal customers and proactively recommend you to family and friends.”

 

Another example Dave shared of a strategic focus on “unknown needs” was from years ago with the development and launch of REACH toothbrush while at J&J. The “known need” expected with a toothbrush, of course, is that it helps you clean your teeth to prevent cavities and assures healthy gums to prevent tooth decay and eventually dentures. The “unknown need” was that people were unaware that most cavities are in the BACK teeth.

 

So, REACH toothbrush created a difference that delivered both the expected known need but highlighted the unexpected unknown need. How? Reach toothbrush has bi-level bristles that both remove debris to prevent cavities and gets in under gum line to avoid decaying teeth. But, did you know most cavities are on the back teeth? That’s why REACH is angled like a dental instrument to reach the back teeth where most painful cavities develop.

 

What’s the lesson? Ask yourself what is your customer’s “unknown need”? How does your product or service help solve it and how will you communicate it effectively?

 

The Harrison Matrix concept is simple: Aim for the awareness blind spot and you will see your sales and profits soar.

The post The Creativity Suite. Episode 144: The Unknown Need first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

A reflection about AI and creativity (Episode 238)

Today I want to send you to my LinkedIn Post for today where I show why I think AI is the 6th way to be creative – and why we should think of AI as the greatest creativity tool that we have ever invented.

 

 

Would love to hear what you think. Please do leave a comment with your views.

 

 

The question is not if AI can be creative or not. The question is: Are you using AI to become more creative?

 

 

Please see the LinkedIn post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fredrikharen_ai-and-creativity-activity-7269653345475174404-V5bv?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

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Should an archivist be creative? (Episode 237)

Think of a group of professionals where everyone thinks creativity is important and virtually all of them also think they are creative.

Did you think of The Swedish National Archives (Riksarkivet)?

Well, you should have. Or at least you could have.

The Swedish National Archives is one of Sweden’s oldest government agencies. The oldest mention of a national archive, Riksens archivum, can be traced back to 1618. The National Archives is tasked with safeguarding and maintaining an overview of Swedish society’s archival materials.

So, an old Government agency tasked with handling archives, could creativity really be important to them?

Well, I just spoke to them last week and over 95% of them raised their hand to say that creativity was important in their job. And over 90% (!) raised their hand to say that they thought they were creative. (These are the kind of numbers you normally only get from young university students, IT consultants, or advertising people in Sweden.)

After speaking on the topic of creativity to over 2000 groups in virtually all kinds of industries, I have learned one thing: Never assume anything about how people look at creativity.

So, while I had prepared a speech based on the assumption that a low number of people at the National Archives would say that they thought they were creative, I had also – thankfully – prepared an alternative speech in case a high number would say yes.

I just LOVE that employees of an old government agency in charge of archives all confidentially raise their hand and say that creativity is important in their job.

 

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And it was fascinating to see how new AI solutions are now being launched to read 1500th-century handwritten documents to make them searchable and readable for today’s researchers.

On Saturday I spoke about creativity to lawyers in Saigon. On Thursday I spoke about creativity to marketing professionals in Copenhagen. And on Friday I spoke about creativity to people at the National Archives of Sweden.

Creativity is everywhere!

Isn’t that amazing?

And imagine the creativity that can be released if we become even better at teaching and inspiring people in all industries to become even more creative.

That is why I am passionate about being The Creativity Explorer.

The post Should an archivist be creative? (Episode 237) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.

The many faces of human creativity (Episode 236)

On Sunday, I interviewed artist and musician Bam Bi in Saigon about the concept of “Gentle Creativity.”

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Yesterday, I interviewed creative director Christian Faber in Copenhagen about the “Restlessness of Creativity.” (Christian, amongst many other things, is the man behind BIONICLE, LEGO’s first self-owned intellectual property.)

 

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These two themes might, at first glance, seem contradictive, but they only are if you think that creativity is ONE thing.

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The more I explore human creativity on this planet, the more I come to appreciate the many facets of creativity.

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And the more we explore the creative process, the more we will discover about it. And the happier we will become.

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And it is totally possible to take a gentle approach to creativity sometimes while embracing the restlessness of creativity at other times.

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Let’s widen our understanding of what creativity is and can be.

The post The many faces of human creativity (Episode 236) first appeared on The Creativity Explorer.