During the locked down period, people have been trying out different things to keep themselves occupied. Some have also been hosting webinars with an aim to disseminate knowledge and help others to be more effective when they return to their normal lives. As for instance in a webinar organized by MHRD's (Ministry of Human Resources Development) innovation cell, Mr BVR Mohan Reddy , Ex Chairman Nasscom & Chairman, Cyient, speaking on the topic "Impact of current situation on education" said that it is an opportunity for students to learn new things that will be useful for them in the future. They could gain more knowledge on AI (Artificial intelligence), Machine learning and other subjects. Learning 'ahead of time' stands one in good stead. It is the time to enhance what you have already learnt and also use the period to learn a new skill. He opined that one learns much better while engaged in group learning online. Further, in online learning, one can customize (can replay videos) individual learning path with focus on assimilation and application. The use of learning management platforms effectively, makes one fit and future ready for higher skill jobs.
After I had attended the said webinar, I received an invitation on What's app from Dr Annamalai Natarajan, subject expert and Author of the book "101 Ways to Create and Innovate" to attend his webinar on "Creativity and Innovation". Dr Annamalai was no stranger to me. while working for Hyundai Motor India Ltd as the Team leader of Learning and Development, I had availed of the doctor's services a number of times for bolstering the knowledge and skills of our employees in creativity and innovation. As HOD, I used to drop in to classes whenever I was free and participate in the training sessions facilitated by external trainers. Therefore, I was familiar with the material shared by Dr Annamalai in the webinar and it was in fact a pleasant recap/ refresher for me. I am sharing the learning here for the benefit of readers.
The presenter started out by displaying this quote from George Bernard Shaw "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." Building on this quote, Dr Annamalai explained how it was the 'unreasonable' guy who insisted on viewing a sports event that happened in another city that led to the innovation of television. Similarly, the 'reasonable' guy doesn't feel it uncomfortable to get up a number of times and walk up to the TV to switch channels. But the lazy, unreasonable guy looks at alternatives and comes out with the 'remote'.
The moral of the story then is that it is necessary to become 'unreasonable' . However this has to be at a ratio of 80:20 in favour of being 'unreasonable' so that the approach is worthwhile and beneficial.There has to be a balance between system and performance. We tend to forget the reasons for what we are doing what we do. As for example the system tells us to water the plants in the garden every day. But are we doing it blindly even when it is raining?
A problem arises when there is a difference between "what I have" and "what I want". You can experience it in the form of botheration, uneasiness, worry, fear, anger etc. A person may attempt to solve the problem using the left brain (Logic, analysis, language and numerical skills etc) the right brain (imagination, music, humour, day dreaming etc.) or a combination of both. Most people tend to approach the problem with the left brain. Yet a problem does not have only one solution. You can look at it from different angles to solve it. Therefore it is necessary to use a combination of right and left brain thinking with right brain getting its due place.
The right brain is evoked when you keep asking questions like "What else?". The question provides scope for a number of solutions. Similarly, the question "Are you lazy?" is significant. After all, it is the lazy guy who invented the remote for television. It is to cater to the needs of the lazy person that various modifications had to be made to wrist watches which initially was hand wound, then made automatic (required shaking), to quartz watch and now to eco friendly watches not requiring replacement of cells. Inconveniences are the sources of creativity. It was when he saw a family of husband, wife and three children travelling on a scooter that Tata Chairman, Ratan Tata thought of a safe and affordable car and Nano was visualized (though it may not have become a big commercial success, the need/ inconvenience triggered a solution.)
There are 134 crore innovative people in India. Creativity needs to be inculcated and sustained by encouraging the use of both right and left brain resulting in an innovative whole brain. Our brains can be kept in a continuously active condition by exposing it to puzzles, scrabble and other brain teaser exercises. Further, one should also set a deadline / put a time pressure for completion of project in order to get the creative juices flowing. Although we may start the "What else exercises" consciously, over a period of time, it becomes natural and unconscious. This is similar to learning to drive a car. We start out learning to drive a car by paying full attention to the process and then reach a level of unconscious mastery.
During the lock down time, this webinar on a very interesting and relevant topic of "Innovation and Creativity" was truly, a precious gift that the presenter Dr Annamalai gave to the viewers and it is with great pleasure that I pass it on through this blog to my readers!
( Here is a link to the preview of the book 101 ways to create and innovate by Dr Annamalai Natarajan : https://books.google.co.in/books/about/101_Ways_to_Create_and_Innovate.html?id=kiJLzQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y )https://books.google.co.in/books/about/101_Ways_to_Create_and_Innovate.html?id=kiJLzQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
After I had attended the said webinar, I received an invitation on What's app from Dr Annamalai Natarajan, subject expert and Author of the book "101 Ways to Create and Innovate" to attend his webinar on "Creativity and Innovation". Dr Annamalai was no stranger to me. while working for Hyundai Motor India Ltd as the Team leader of Learning and Development, I had availed of the doctor's services a number of times for bolstering the knowledge and skills of our employees in creativity and innovation. As HOD, I used to drop in to classes whenever I was free and participate in the training sessions facilitated by external trainers. Therefore, I was familiar with the material shared by Dr Annamalai in the webinar and it was in fact a pleasant recap/ refresher for me. I am sharing the learning here for the benefit of readers.
The presenter started out by displaying this quote from George Bernard Shaw "The reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the unreasonable man." Building on this quote, Dr Annamalai explained how it was the 'unreasonable' guy who insisted on viewing a sports event that happened in another city that led to the innovation of television. Similarly, the 'reasonable' guy doesn't feel it uncomfortable to get up a number of times and walk up to the TV to switch channels. But the lazy, unreasonable guy looks at alternatives and comes out with the 'remote'.
The moral of the story then is that it is necessary to become 'unreasonable' . However this has to be at a ratio of 80:20 in favour of being 'unreasonable' so that the approach is worthwhile and beneficial.There has to be a balance between system and performance. We tend to forget the reasons for what we are doing what we do. As for example the system tells us to water the plants in the garden every day. But are we doing it blindly even when it is raining?
A problem arises when there is a difference between "what I have" and "what I want". You can experience it in the form of botheration, uneasiness, worry, fear, anger etc. A person may attempt to solve the problem using the left brain (Logic, analysis, language and numerical skills etc) the right brain (imagination, music, humour, day dreaming etc.) or a combination of both. Most people tend to approach the problem with the left brain. Yet a problem does not have only one solution. You can look at it from different angles to solve it. Therefore it is necessary to use a combination of right and left brain thinking with right brain getting its due place.
The right brain is evoked when you keep asking questions like "What else?". The question provides scope for a number of solutions. Similarly, the question "Are you lazy?" is significant. After all, it is the lazy guy who invented the remote for television. It is to cater to the needs of the lazy person that various modifications had to be made to wrist watches which initially was hand wound, then made automatic (required shaking), to quartz watch and now to eco friendly watches not requiring replacement of cells. Inconveniences are the sources of creativity. It was when he saw a family of husband, wife and three children travelling on a scooter that Tata Chairman, Ratan Tata thought of a safe and affordable car and Nano was visualized (though it may not have become a big commercial success, the need/ inconvenience triggered a solution.)
There are 134 crore innovative people in India. Creativity needs to be inculcated and sustained by encouraging the use of both right and left brain resulting in an innovative whole brain. Our brains can be kept in a continuously active condition by exposing it to puzzles, scrabble and other brain teaser exercises. Further, one should also set a deadline / put a time pressure for completion of project in order to get the creative juices flowing. Although we may start the "What else exercises" consciously, over a period of time, it becomes natural and unconscious. This is similar to learning to drive a car. We start out learning to drive a car by paying full attention to the process and then reach a level of unconscious mastery.
During the lock down time, this webinar on a very interesting and relevant topic of "Innovation and Creativity" was truly, a precious gift that the presenter Dr Annamalai gave to the viewers and it is with great pleasure that I pass it on through this blog to my readers!
( Here is a link to the preview of the book 101 ways to create and innovate by Dr Annamalai Natarajan : https://books.google.co.in/books/about/101_Ways_to_Create_and_Innovate.html?id=kiJLzQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y )https://books.google.co.in/books/about/101_Ways_to_Create_and_Innovate.html?id=kiJLzQEACAAJ&redir_esc=y
