The Renaissance brought forth many exceptional artists such as Michelangelo di Lodovico Buonarroti Simoni (1475 – 1564) and Leonardo da Vinci (1452 – 1519). Both were legends during their lifetimes. Michelangelo was a sculptor, painter, and architect, but da Vinci crossed the disciplines and drew sketches of musical instruments, hydraulic pumps, reversible crank mechanisms, and a steam cannon. The big question is: How did da Vinci become this disruptive thinker? by Robert Gerlach, Creativity Researcher, Coach & Author Breakthroughs in […]
Hi everyone, Innovator’s High is 19 days away from taking off. My new creativity self-help book provides new insights on business creativity, such as the #1 reason why people have their best ideas on the job, how to transform negative feelings into creative power and why great artists never steal. What’s more? Creativity coach Robert Gerlach reveals an unknown secret behind the innovators Leonardo da Vinci and Steve Jobs, how to Karate chop writer’s block, and how to eat creativity. Managers find […]
Creative work in corporations is like going fishing, but with a gun pointed to your head, telling you to hurry up or you are out! So, how to find inspiration if the deadline is looming and adrenaline is rising? From Robert Gerlach, Creativity Coach, Author & Founder of IQudo Creative workers in search of inspiration can be compared to surfers. The pros amongst surfers know their secret spots and where to catch the big waves. They proactively search for them. Same with experienced creatives: they […]
Robert Gerlach, creativity teacher In 1996, Steve Jobs cited Picasso, “Good artists copy; great artists steal.” Hm, Picasso stealing ideas? I researched the quote, and lo and behold, could not find a single piece of evidence that attributed this remark to the greatest painter of the last century. Somehow, people nowadays seem to think that it’s ok to be creative by pinching other people’s ideas. In 2012, there was even a New York Times bestseller titled: Steal like an Artist. But, may […]
Innovator’s High prides itself on being the first book to reframe creativity as a sport. To creativity coach, Robert Gerlach’s teaching isn’t about explaining creativity techniques. Scoring ideas — like in sports — is a combination of skills, mental strength, teamwork, and most of all, the surprising element of the game itself – the chaotic creative process. In his upcoming book, Robert will share his biggest insights on creativity, like the #1 reason why people have their best ideas on the job, an unknown secret […]
“In a few weeks, my first book to position creativity as a sport will be released. Some of my friends have already had the chance to catch a glance. Here is what Christine Armishaw, an entrepreneur from New Zealand, and Jim Docktor, a learning designer from San Francisco have to say about the how-to book: “Stuck for ideas? Deadline looming? Boss on your case? …if you need some real help to get some great ideas, then this is a book that […]
We all possess unique gifts. But only a few of us believe in being extraordinarily gifted because we believe there is a fine line between genius and madness. And, as the ordinary people we are, we are far from either state, right? By Robert Gerlach, IQudo sport of ideas. Syphilis and madness But consider this: many artists and philosophers of the 18th and 19th century didn’t go mad due to their ingenuity but to the long-term effects of syphilis. The sexually […]
Why sit down and bleed in front of the keyboard? With today’s knowledge about how the brain functions, there is no need to suffer from writer’s block anymore. Stretching your creative muscle can be naturally easy. By Robert Gerlach, creativity researcher, IQudo sport of ideas. According to the IQudo ideation survey 2015 the number one reason for finding ideas, mentioned by 31% of respondents, are movement activities, like running, bicycling, and walking. Whenever I feel stuck, I go for a meditative run. […]
How can companies, whether they are small or giant, foster creativity? An exclusive interview with Robert Gerlach, about the IQudo® landmark study on creativity (San Francisco 05/2015) on Monday Morning Radio. How does corporate culture facilitate creativity? Can large companies still be creative? How much stock do you put in the idea of the physical space being an important component for fostering creativity? How can leaders help their employees to be more creative? What is a crealogue? Why should you tolerate out-of-the-box behavior? >> Listen Here
Innovative companies today expect out-of-the-box thinking and on the other, they need in-the-box behavior. Opposite traits, rarely found together in visionaries. How can leaders integrate out-of-the-box thinkers into the team, benefit from their visionary thinking, but also make sure that the process runs smoothly?” By Robert Gerlach, creativity educator, author & founder of IQudo sport of ideas. To better understand how out-of-the-box thinkers (dissenters) are perceived in corporations, let’s have a look at a survey we conducted in Stuttgart, (Germany) in 2011. We asked 100 employees of different ages, departments, […]