The Forgotten Half of Change: Achieving Greater Creativity Through Changes in Perception

Es un muy buen libro esta realmente interesante y deja unas lecciones de vida muy buienas

Luc de Brabandere's book The Forgotten Half of Change: Achieving Greater Creativity Through Changes in Perception is a useful work in that it discusses many of the core elements concerning the stimulation of creative thinking. I picked this book in particular because more importantly, de Brabandere largely views the topics of creativity and innovation from the perspective of deconstructing stereotypes. Much of his work is concerned with going beyond the movements of creativity and innovation. He devotes a great deal of time addressing the necessity of altering one's persepective on problem solving, as well as the workings of businesses in general. The book's chapters are broken down as follows: Introduction: This summary will attempt to provide the reader with a general overview of the topics that the author addresses in his book, and will provide some interesting anecdotal information regarding the issues of Creativity and Innovation, and their past and present applications in the business world. Chapter 1: "Changing Twice" De Brabandere discusses that change occurs in two phases: firstly, it happens through an alteration of reality-that is, changes in methodologies. Yet the second and more important phase of change is brought about through a change in perception, and in the way individuals see problems in relation to themselves and the greater world. Chapter 2: Discusses the notion that in our global socioeconomic system, frontiers are rapidly vanishing, and it may not always be possible to explain how or why things happen or function-be it organizations, individuals, or economic systems. Chapter 3: The author turns to the issue of perception, and how true innovation and creative thought stems from abandoning established ways of perceiving problems. Argues that human beings are hard-wired to think in a certain way, and that we must step out of these modes of thinking in order to be more creative. Chapter 4: Seeks to address the growing notion that change itself is ending in our modern society, and argues that change on a more local level occurs through "breaks," or instances in which an individual or organization makes a break from a preconceived way of looking at a product or process. Chapter 5: Generally discusses the notion that no idea is born good, and that ideas must be nursed into fruition through collaboration with others, and also through thinking that melds the creative with the rational mindsets. Chapter 6: The "eureka" moment is not simply a moment of instant creative freedom; it's a multi-phasic process that can be generated. Chapter 7: Talks about ideas in several broad senses, most notably that there exists a definite need to anticipate the future even as uncertainty increases in situations where new ideas are driving progress towards a goal. Stresses the need of constant, not erratic, creativity. Discusses the need for feedback in any creative process, regardless of the cost, be it material or temp

Change is a normal part of life and as such it is also a normal part of business and the need to adapt. The problem is that the change is only the first step and there is more to change than change by itself. Dealing with the other half of change - a change of perception is what this book is about. The author challenges the reader to examine such things as thinking about how you think and inspiring creativity so that you can change perception. With a light writing style that is at times humorous Mr. Brabandere leads the reader to an enlightening view of the human mind and how it traps us into particular ways of thinking. Escaping from this trap by changing our perception is what this book is all about. A lesson in creative thinking and getting out of the stereotypes that we have learned and handicap our thinking, The Forgotten Half of Change is highly recommended and fun to read.

The tone of The Forgotten Half of Change could easily become preachy and admonishing, touting the value of change for change's sake. It doesn't. Instead, de Brabandere embraces the reader's own past experiences and gently challenges them with the question "what if...?". In business, as in life we've all faced the disappointment of the great plan hamstrung by flawed execution or been amazed at the even middling success of the seamlessly executed, though fundamentally weak plan. De Brabanedere offers balance. He obviously respects and honors the thinker, the planner, the architect, and the inventor. At the same time though he pays homage to the mechanic, the guy with a metaphorical cutting torch, roll of baling wire, and can-do attitude. Perception, it's a powerful thing. The end product might not be the conventionally beautiful artwork that the creative mind developed. Innovations tend to leave lumps, burns, and scars. We learn from de Brabandere though to love the scars, to acknowledge their role in the growth experience. Put this book in your toolbox. Whether it rests beside fourteen pencils or a cutting torch you will find yourself putting it to work.

Being a full time conference interpreter, I've had the inmense fortune of hanging around great thought leaders and change gurus. What DeBrabandere explains in this great work is a reality few have seen before: you need to be re-born twice to really change. He goes on citing many great examples, old and new alike, about what it takes to change. One of the many quotable passages I remember was about bad decisions not being caused by mis-information, but rather by the way our minds function... I'm down to the second reading of the book, and still can't get my eyes off it! Great read, simple, but very profound.