How the Paper Fish Learned to Swim: A Fable About Inspiring Creativity And Bringing New Ideas to Life

In a remote fishing village in Japan, Daishinji the origami master creates a beautiful fish from one flat sheet of paper. But the fish says she is lonely, so the master creates a whole paper world for her -- ocean, seaweed, an octopus, and many other creatures. Still, the paper fish begs to be set free in a real ocean, to know the feel of water and understand the mysteries of the deep.

Reluctantly, Daishinji sets her creation free, even though she is sure that the paper fish will be destroyed and that "imaginary things must stay in imaginary places." But amazingly (even if briefly) the fish becomes real, and a part of something much bigger than Daishinji could ever have imagined, proving that great ideas outgrow their creators and take on lives of their own.

How the Paper Fish Learned to Swim presents the fable as a springboard to unlocking creativity and innovation in the workplace. The story is followed by an outline for a practical process for encouraging and harnessing ideas, and the book also includes questions and discussion points. As beautifully illustrated as it is gracefully told, this book is both an enveloping read and a powerful workplace tool.

Jonathon A. Flaum is founder and CEO of WriteMind Communications, a consulting firm specializing in public communications skills and organizational creativity. He is also coauthor of The 100-Mile Walk. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.