The Creative Process: Navigating Complexity with Critical & Design Thinking
A Validated Framework to Solve Complex “Wicked” Problems and Deliver Better Solutions Faster.
The Creative Rescue Strategies Program consists of the following modules:
Hot Topic: Strategic AI Validation — Using Critical Thinking to Steer the Future
AI Critical Thinking Lab
Future-Proofing Leadership Agility for Personal Mastery
Overview: In the era of cheap intelligence, the greatest professional risk is Cognitive Atrophy. As AI systems scale, the tendency to outsource high-level thought creates a strategic vulnerability. The AI Critical Thinking Lab is a catalyst for reclaiming cognitive agency through Strategic AI Validation, ensuring a vital human-in-the-loop for every digital output. Grounded in Dr. Gaia Grant’s research, this masterclass transforms participants into proactive strategists who leverage AI as a high-performance collaborator rather than a replacement. Sharpen your creative leadership and maintain human relevance by mastering the disciplined process of delivering independent, evidence-based results in an automated world.
This Essential Masterclass for professionals needing to future-proof their roles amidst digital disruption.
The JPMorgan Chase Case Study:
Driving Organizational Change with Critical Thinking
Overview: This Harvard Business School case study : JPMorgan Chase: Leadership in the Age of GenAI, provides a deep dive analysis of the transition to generative AI within a global workforce of 200,000+. By positioning critical thinking skills as the core of the implementation strategy, the study demonstrates how structured frameworks ensure technological adoption is matched by rigorous strategic oversight. It serves as a high-stakes blueprint for navigating the move from localized experimentation to enterprise-wide integration, ensuring human-led innovation remains the central driver of organizational success.
– An Essential Masterclass extension for organizations navigating the complexities of a digital transition.
Dive deeper and integrate this case study with our Innovation Suite and Ambidextrous Leadership models,
Repurposing AI from a “Creative Killer” into a High-Performance Collaborator. (Article | VideoGraphic #1 | Videographic #2 | More about our AI offerings)
Full Workshop: How to come up with better ideas and solutions faster
Master the creative-critical interplay to future-proof your skills by blending strategic innovation with design thinking to reclaim cognitive agency in an AI-driven world. Built on a robust, proven Design Thinking model, this comprehensive workshop delivers paired applied capabilities across two specialized modules: The Creative Challenge and The Critical Thinking Lab (Rescue Strategies). This program provides a provocative roadmap to reclaim original thought and includes an optional AI masterclass, transforming artificial intelligence from a “Creative Killer” into a high-octane strategic co-pilot. By mastering these innovative problem-solving methodologies, leaders and teams will develop the essential human-led ingenuity required to thrive and lead in an increasingly complex future.
1: Creative Thinking Rescue Strategies –Better Ideas Faster!
We need creative thinking to generate unique ideas. Creative thinkers will learn to challenge dogma and construct unusual elements based on Divergent Thinking. This session covers personal creativity to redesign your brain.
Enquire & Explore Process
- Divergent thinking to access all parts of your brain (left & right, front & back, thinking fast & slow, processing), the power of ideation, questioning, and harnessing ambiguous thinking.
- By exploring the importance of both divergent and convergent thinking, it is possible to see situations differently and solve complex puzzles.
2: Critical Thinking Rescue Strategies – Better Solutions Faster!
Critical Thinking is a key follow up from Creative Thinking to complete the model and ensure strategic results. Critical Thinking seeks to assess the worth or validity from the new ‘creative’ idea. Critical thinking is the thinking we do when we judge & need to apply ideas. It is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving & implementing the creative ideas. This version of the full CSI2 workshop looks specifically at the right side of the SID model to explore using critical thinking skills.
Solve & Apply Process
- Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it.
- Critical thinkers rigorously question ideas and assumptions rather than accepting them at face value.
- This session will enable participants to determine whether the ideas, arguments and findings represent the entire picture. Participants will also be open to finding that won’t work.
3: Implications & Applications: Business facilitation with case study
Try & Apply: Immersive Case Study Simulations & Role-Plays
- P&G: Navigating the Affordability Paradox in Saturated Markets. | Tirian
- JPMorgan Chase: Leadership in the Age of GenAI, | Harvard
Innovation requires more than just understanding the theory; it demands the confidence to apply it under pressure. Our “Teach & Learn, Try & Apply” methodology allows participants to bridge this gap by using validated creative and critical thinking strategies to navigate seemingly impossible “wicked” problems. By moving from conceptual frameworks to real-world simulations, we ensure that these tools are not just learned, but mastered for immediate implementation. The result is a repeatable, practical framework that empowers your team to meet current workplace demands with sustained, innovative success.
REC TIME
1/2-1 day
REC SIZE
7-50
PLATFORMS
Keynote, Workshop, Online, Virtual, Self-led
More about our Creative, Critical and Design Thinking offerings
Why Design Thinking Fails (Keynote by Andrew Grant – Innoday Stockholm)
Is your organization drowning in innovation tools but failing to see real results? In this provocative keynote, Andrew Grant explores the critical gap between “having the tools” and “having the mindset.” While many companies rush to embrace Design Thinking, Agile, and Innovation Labs, they often overlook the fundamental requirement for success: a culture of creativity. Why Design Thinking Fails: Design Thinking is more than just a methodology popularised by IDEO and Stanford; it is an abductive, solution-focused approach designed to tackle “Wicked Problems.” However, without a creative thinking mindset at the personal level and a safe cultural environment at the organizational level, even the best models collapse.
AI and Creative Thinking: Learn when, (if) and how to use AI during the design thinking process.
AI will play a dynamic and collaborative role in Tirian’s creative design thinking workshops. Rather than replacing human ingenuity, our programs are designed to strategically integrate AI as a powerful co-pilot in the creative process. Participants will learn how to leverage AI to accelerate insights, uncover hidden patterns, and expand ideation, all while remaining actively engaged as the essential drivers of creativity. This approach ensures that AI enhances-rather than automates-human creative thinking, empowering individuals and teams to harness both technological and human strengths for breakthrough innovation. (read more)
The Creative Process Collaborator Canvas (with Design Thinking tools)
This online canvas comes with complete instructions, videos, and steps for any leader to run the program’s core elements independently with a small team. The boards ensure a quick way to start conservations and develop faster solutions.
