Leading with Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation

Course Introduction

This Leading with Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation training course is designed for managers who want to encourage more creativity and innovation in their own teams, colleagues and organisations.

The training course gives delegates a practical understanding of innovation management theories, and the principles of design thinking, so they can contribute to the analysis, planning and building of new products and services. And, they will learn the methods to help their teams to explore; greater levels of personal curiosity, networking, teamwork, collaborative working, risk - and the use of agile methods to improve project working. Together, promoting the attitudes and work habits needed in any organization that seeks more creative working, change and innovation.

This Leading with Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation training course will highlight:

• The challenge of change – understanding why organizations need to innovate
• The principles of design thinking, and the use of critical thinking, to discover problems
• Innovation strategy, planning tools and developing the business canvas
• Encouraging creative practice, debates, conflicts, risks and failing fast
• Open innovation – maximizing valuable relationships to deliver new initiatives
• Managing self and others – avoiding procrastination and promoting productivity.
• Practical steps and take-aways – leading conversations to start innovating

Objectives

At the end of this Leading with Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation training course, successful delegates will learn how to:

• Add to the organisational debates of changes and innovation
• Prepare business models and outline plans for new business initiatives
• Encourage objectivity, creative thinking and collaborative working practices
• Use management methods that promote open debates and generate ideas
• Promote lean and agile work habits, that delivers innovation results faster

Training Methodology

This Leading with Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation training course is designed for active and motivated managers who are willing to contribute to business conversation. In a confidential and professional setting, where debate is encouraged and respected, they are expected to bring their own thoughts to the discussions on challenges and opportunities we face. Those that contribute and engage fully in material and team exercises will gain the most.

The training course will blend  learning formats that will stimulate and stretch participants, including simple tests, formal seminar style presentations from trainer structured and informal discussions, along with solo work, group exercises and case studies, to allow the time to encourage critical thinking and reflection. Workshops and content will use a mix of printed material, slides, case studies, and videos.

Organisational Impact

Participants will gain the ability to think strategically about innovation and creativity, and improve their management skills. The organization will benefit as successful participants will be able to:

• Contribute to critical thinking, debates and plans for innovation and change initiatives
• Build practical everyday work habits and processes that deliver innovation
• Support team members and colleagues to use creative ideas in their work
• Encourage more networking, relationships and conversations to promote new ideas
• Create credible canvas discussions that can help explore new business models

Personal Impact

This Leading with Critical Thinking, Creativity and Innovation training course offers substantial professional development opportunities for the individual to improve their careers. Participants will personally benefit from:

• Gaining more confidence in discussing innovation and change with senior colleagues
• Becoming recognized as one of the organization’s champions of innovation
• Increasing their range of senior executive leadership abilities and skills
• Obtaining insights into their own creative capabilities and self-management
• Appreciating how innovation impacts across industries, cultures and organizations

Who Should Attend?

This Oxford Management Centre training course is designed broadly for a range of talented managers across the organization who are expected to be involved in new products, services and processes and who are being tasked to drive change and new ways of working.

This training course is suitable to a wide range of professionals but will greatly benefit:

• Managers tasked with driving new products, services and processes
• Commercial, technical (it) or operational areas involved in change projects
• Professionals advising on innovation projects (e.g., lawyers, accountants, HR)
• General managers involved in business development, sales and customer service
• Managers promoting change and wanting to build more creativity in their teams

Course Outline

Day 1

The Innovation Challenge – Leading in Times of Uncertainty

Day 2

The Business Challenge – Moving Away from Comfort

Day 3

The Creative Challenge – Encouraging Risk and New Ideas

Day 4

The Leadership Challenge – Developing Talent and Delivering Results

Day 5

The Productive Challenge – Taking the Next Steps