Leading on the Creative Edge: Gaining Competitive Advantage Through the Power of Creative Problem Solving

ARE YOU USING YOUR BEST BUSINESS WEAPON?

Creativity isn't just for artists and musicians. It's a strategic business weapon crucial to gaining and maintaining a competitive edge. The organizations that will thrive over time are not the ones with the deepest pockets, but the ones that unleash and apply the creativity to their workforce.

Leaders play a vital role in nurturing and developing others' creativity. Whether you lead a multi-million dollar corporation, help a volunteer group, coach Little League, or work for a non-profit organization, leaders make the difference between whether their employees' creativity is nurtured or destroyed. Leading on the Creative Edge provides you with the vital information you need to take your leadership to a new level.

Leading on the Creative Edge explains how creative problem solving can be used to move from a challenge, goal, or opportunity to creative action; shows leaders how to develop a creative environment by generating more ideas than you ever thought possible, and explains how mistakes can actually help you become more creative.

You'll find numerous examples of the extraordinary results created by those who have chosen to lead on the creative edge. Most important, Leading on the Creative Edge highlights your own creativity while igniting creativity in others.

"If you want to unleash the creative problem solving ability of the people in your organization, read this book! Roger provides a number of straight-forward, practical, creative problem solving techniques that you can use immediately. You will be inspired by the bottom-line results that have been achieved through these techniques."-Cindy Moeller, vice president of human resources, Baldwin Piano & Organ Company

"Roger has captured the major ideas and applications flowing from creativity research and practice over the last forty years, presenting them in a readable, conversational style. Whether you're just learning about the power of creativity or have used creativity for years, this book has much to offer."-Lyman K. Randall, president and board chair of The Creative Education Foundation

"If you're a manager competing in today's global economy, you must read Leading on the Creative Edge. Roger Firestien will open your eyes to new ways of winning in the marketplace by teaching you to unleash the creative power locked inside the people you lead."-Dr. Paul Magelli, director, Office for the Study of Business Issues, University of Illinois

"Leading on the Creative Edge is absolutely indispensable for any leader dedicated to lifelong learning. With an ideal blend of theory and practice, Roger Firestien proves his reputation as a top resource in executive skilled innovation. Leading on the Creative Edge is extremely valuable-and a lot of fun along the way."-David Kozak, Ph.D., professor of public policy, Gannon University

ROGER L. FIRESTIEN, Ph.D., is president of Innovation Systems Group and associate professor at the Center of Studies in Creativity at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York. A noted speaker, author, and consultant, Dr. Firestien has designed and presented programs on creative problem solving to thousands of audiences throughout the United States, Europe, and South America. He is the author of more than seventy articles, books, and audio and video programs published both in the popular and professional press. Some of Dr. Firestien's publications include From Basics to Breakthroughs and Power Think. He is also the host and writer of the video program "Unleashing the Power of Creativity."