For creative change leaders who want more than permission. Seven Touchpoints, one Method, a lifetime of practice.
Each Touchpoint is a both/and tension and a practice for working it. Take them in order. Or start with what is most active in your work right now.
Both/And throws light on something that's commonplace. When you're getting people to notice something that's ubiquitous in their own lives, you're indeed on to something!
Understanding that one of the primary problems I face at work is a both/and (structure and flexibility) helped me realize I might be able to approach it differently.
Rather than feeling pulled toward one or the other, both/and thinking could help me see that both sides feed into my success. My commercial work provides stability and resources, while my community-driven work fuels my purpose and brand identity.
Both/And thinking helps my mental and physical health by balancing self-improvement with self-acceptance. I recognize and appreciate who I am, where I am, and what I can do right now, all the while I am still developing my skills and building new knowledge.
In terms of facilitating the creative process, Both/And Thinking allows me to embrace both divergent and convergent thinking. By embracing seemingly contradictory ideas at the same time I can encourage those who I am facilitating to explore novel combinations.
Both/And thinking encourages balance and adaptability throughout the creative process. Leaders can encourage individual creative thinking, while also providing direction to their team; similarly teachers can encourage their students to be creative while facilitating group discussion and learning.
