What If Bob Dylan Worked At Pixar?

 HOT READS FOR THE PRACTITIONER

Title: Imagine: How Creativity Works

Competency: creativity, innovation

Who benefits: anyone interested in the topic

Consultant Usage: excellent for personal development for consultants in any field

What’s it about?  Jonah Lehrer is a storyteller.  Not just a storyteller, a fabulous storyteller.  He brings stories to life.  I am not sure there is a word for what he does: He writes about imagination that appeals to your imagination.  He uses words to create in the reader a desire to create.

Where does imagination come from?

How does one measure imagination?

Where does creativity come from?

How does creativity work?

What happens when you try to make a creative idea real?

What are the mental strategies for creativity?

Are these questions of interest to you?  Are you curious about this quote: “Every creative journey begins with a problem.  It starts with a feeling of frustration, the dull ache of not being able to find the answer.  We have worked hard, but we have hit the wall.  We have no idea what to do next.”

If that quote is of interest, then the “what to do next” is simple.  Read this recently published book.  But one word of caution, once you pick it up it is very hard to put down. 

I am also fascinated by Jonah Lehrer’s personal website.  It is a great place to visit.  It is so simple, yet so captivating.  I don’t think I have ever enjoyed visiting a website more than this one.  It is so creative in its simplicity.  How did he imagine it?  A visit is strongly recommended.  Perhaps it will stimulate you in some way.  And here is a hint on how to enjoy it even more.  Everything has something behind it, so if you read something appealing, be sure to click on what you are reading and see what is behind it.

If you like this book, you will almost certainly enjoy his earlier book How We Decide (previously reviewed on this site). 

Final thought: Jonah Lehrer also did an interview with the Los Angeles Times on April 1 (no foolin’) that is a quick and interesting read: Patt Morrison Asks: Jonah Lehrer, brain teaser.

Catch you later.

Bill Bradley

Bill Bradley (mostly) retired after 35 years in organizational consulting, training and management development. During those years he worked internally with seven organizations and trained and consulted externally with more than 90 large and small businesses, government agencies, hospitals and schools.