Creative Problem Solving:
Imagination into Action
This workshop is designed to develop and enhance the creative potential of participants. Its objective is to increase participants' ability to seek and respond to the challenges of the future in innovative ways. Principal topics include the nature of creativity, overcoming obstacles to productive thinking, the well-proven IDEATECTS Problem Solving Model, and numerous creative problem solving techniques. This research- and experience-based program makes creativity come alive and offers concrete approaches that enhance the ability of individuals and groups to be more creative in their thinking and their work.

Diagnostic Problem Solving:
Critical Thinking for Critical Problems
This program develops structured, rational problem solving for use in situations where there are deviations from a norm, outcomes differing from expectations, or performance shortcomings. Utilizing challenging simulations based on real-life situations, this course provides the means for identifying, defining and resolving tough, even apparently intractable, problem situations. Methods foster strong analytical skills applicable to solving problems in design and development, production, performance, etc. Principal areas of emphasis include data acquisition, information processing, and problem analysis. The content of this course is applicable to wide areas of business practice including personnel problems and systemic problem solving.

Successful Decision Thinking:
From Vision to Execution
Our professional and personal success often depends on our ability to make good decisions. But given the unpredictability of today's world, the results of decisions, including very important ones, are often well beyond the control of decision makers. Also, even good thinkers tend to fall into predictable cognitive "traps" in their decision-making. But we need not abandon responsibility or feel discouraged. What we can do is improve and enhance the process of making decisions. By improving our skills in this very important area, we can increase the probability of achieving our goals even in the face of difficulty. Based on recent cognitive research and with a focus on the complexity decision makers often face, this fast-paced program offers a very contemporary approach to the tasks of making choices and implementing strategies.

Thinking and Working With the Whole Brain
When we think of diversity, we usually do-not consider thinking styles. Yet massive research reveals that most people have strong natural orientations as to how they process the world, learn, solve problems, and make decisions. Utilizing the Herrmann Whole Brain Model, we will begin by explor-ing our personal thinking styles. Then we will investigate the value in having "whole brain teams" and "whole brain organizations." After gaining a familiarity with the major thinking styles, we will explore how to talk to, engage and work with people on the basis of their styles.

Rational Thinking: What Goes Wrong?
This workshop takes an unusual approach to the topic of thinking. It starts with the presumption that most people are good, rational thinkers—most of the time. But it goes on to show that, sometimes, and in predictable ways, good thinking "goes bad." Explore how our problem solving, judgment, and decision-making can slip below optimal, and learn how to guard against anchoring, framing traps, the "confirmation bias" and tactics used to manipulate our thinking.

How the Mind Limits Itself
The human mind is far more powerful than any computer. Yet, remarkably, it often limits its own abilities. New cognitive research posits that humans "enact" their world and construct personal versions of phenomena. This engaging workshop explores the mind's mechanisms for acquiring data, developing information and forming meaning. We will explore how those same processes often constrain our ability to be critical and creative thinkers. Topics include the "world creating loop," structured imagination, cognitive biases, and much more. Also provided are specific guidelines for dealing with obstacles that keep us from optimal thinking.