What happens when you don’t think creatively?

Let’s start with this: You’ve got a problem. What do you do? You default to what’s always been done. You play it safe. You look at a problem the way you’ve always looked at it.

The result? You solve the problem the same way you’ve always solved it—or worse, you don’t solve it at all.

That’s what happens when you don’t practice creative problem solving.

Sticking to traditional methods is like trying to push a boulder up a hill without looking for a path around it. You burn yourself out, and the boulder? It barely budges.

We see this all the time in the workplace. A team faces a challenge, and instead of rethinking their approach, they double down on the old tactics. Meetings stretch on. Solutions don’t land. Projects stall. People get frustrated.

Why Creative Problem Solving Matters

Creative problem solving isn’t just about finding an answer. It’s about rethinking how you get to the answer. It’s about pushing boundaries, seeing things differently, and using fresh approaches to create real change.

Creative problem solving does three things:

Breaks Routine – It disrupts the autopilot mentality, forcing you to think beyond the norm.
Fosters Innovation – New solutions open doors to opportunities you didn’t know existed.
Builds Resilience – When you tackle problems creatively, you develop the flexibility to handle future challenges with ease.

10 Ways to Practice Creative Problem Solving

1. Challenge the First Idea

Don’t settle for the first solution that pops into your head. Often, it’s a lazy shortcut. Instead, ask yourself: Is this really the best answer? What else could work here? You’ll be surprised how much creativity kicks in when you refuse to accept the obvious.

2. Break Down the Problem

Big problems feel overwhelming, and that stifles creativity. Break the issue down into smaller, bite-sized parts. Tackle each piece separately. When you focus on individual aspects, creative solutions become more manageable.

3. Flip the Problem

Turn it upside down. Instead of asking, “How do we fix this?”, ask, “How can we make this worse?” It sounds counterintuitive, but identifying how you can worsen a problem often reveals insights into what actually needs to change.

4. Brainstorm Like a Kid

Kids don’t censor themselves. They come up with wild, unrealistic ideas—and sometimes those ideas spark genius. Get in the mindset of brainstorming without limits. Write down everything, no matter how crazy. You can refine it later.

5. Change Your Environment

Environment influences creativity. If you’re stuck in the same place, doing the same thing, move. Work from a park, take a walk, sit somewhere new. Fresh surroundings breed fresh thinking.

6. Collaborate with Unlikely People

The best ideas often come from people outside your immediate circle. If you’re trying to solve a tech problem, talk to someone in marketing. If you’re struggling with a sales issue, ask someone from product development. Fresh perspectives bring fresh solutions.

7. Use the “5 Whys” Method

This technique is simple but powerful. When faced with a problem, ask “Why?” five times. Dig deeper each time. By the fifth why, you’ll often find the root cause of the issue—and that’s where real creative solutions start to emerge.

8. Limit Yourself on Purpose

Impose restrictions. Set tight deadlines. Limit resources. It sounds backward, but constraints force you to get creative. When everything is easy and available, you don’t need to think outside the box. Limits push you to innovate.

9. Ask Dumb Questions

Ever notice how the simplest questions spark the biggest breakthroughs? Don’t be afraid to ask what seems obvious. “Why are we doing it this way?” “What if we tried this instead?” Simple questions challenge ingrained assumptions.

10. Sleep on It

There’s a reason people say, “I’ll sleep on it.” Your brain keeps working when you’re resting. Ever had a lightbulb moment in the shower or right before bed? Sleep resets your brain and gives you clarity. When you wake up, the solution may be waiting.

Edward de Bono: The Man Who Gave Us Permission to Think Differently

Edward de Bono didn’t just talk about creativity—he lived it. While most people were stuck in linear thinking, de Bono was busy blowing minds with a radical idea: thinking isn’t just logic; it’s a skill that can be hacked.

In the 1960s, he coined a term that would change how the world solves problems—lateral thinking.

What’s lateral thinking? It’s breaking free from the predictable patterns. It’s the opposite of “following the rules.” De Bono showed us that solutions don’t have to be straight lines; they can zigzag. They can surprise you. They can come from the side when everyone else is looking forward.

In his book, Six Thinking Hats, he took this further, handing us a tool to structure creative thinking in a way no one had before. Forget endless debates. Forget muddled meetings. The Six Hats method organizes thinking into clear steps. You want fresh ideas? De Bono taught us how to wear a “green hat”—the symbol for creativity. You want logic? Put on the “black hat.” He made creativity practical, something you could use, not just dream about.

The Real Power Behind De Bono’s Work

Why does it matter? Because the world’s problems aren’t solved by the same old thinking. Whether you’re an executive, an entrepreneur, or just trying to make sense of your day-to-day challenges, Edward de Bono’s methods give you an unfair advantage. He made creativity a weapon.

Next time you’re stuck in a rut, ask yourself: Am I thinking laterally?

And if not, remember de Bono. Because he wasn’t just another intellectual. He was the guy who taught us all how to think outside the box—and then build a new one.

Don’t Just Solve Problems—Solve Them Creatively

Creative problem solving isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. The world’s moving too fast, problems are becoming too complex, and the old ways aren’t cutting it anymore. If you want to thrive, not just survive, in the workplace (or anywhere), you need to break free from traditional thinking.

It’s time to stop pushing that boulder uphill. It’s time to find a new path entirely.

Creative Problem Solving: Break the Mold or Stay Stuck