Childish and childlike are two different things entirely. The latter is worth holding onto.
A childlike naivety, even if applied deliberately, is an incredible tool to employ to find better ideas because it wonders, “why?” and asks, “what if?”.
All the grown up’s rules, standards, best practices, procedures, and traditions at first help to organise and manage, but they soon start to choke the life out of innovation.
What is important is that an idea is not criticised but explored, then even the most initially absurd idea can be used to provoke new lines of thinking that lead to a previously unthought of solution.
I find there’s something magical about a session with a group of people in a corporate setting where we need to find solutions. Logic has its place, but in such a session, its place is just behind creativity.
With the help of some Lateral Thinking techniques, the imaginations of all the once-were children in the room are sparked, and the energy and ideas flow. And they love it. They laugh, enjoy it and get excited. What is important is that an idea is not to be criticised but explored, then even the most initially absurd idea can be used as a catalyst for new lines of thinking that lead to a previously unthought-of solution.
We might not all get to be in creative sessions too often, or ever, but whatever work you do, don’t suppress your childlike imaginative ability. It’s how great thinkers like Einstein pushed the boundaries of what was considered possible. If you want to innovate and forge new paths, stay childlike in as many ways as possible, but of course not childish.
In 1959 Lenny Lipton penned a poem (that has nothing to do with drugs, sorry) that went on to become a song by Peter, Paul and Mary called “Puff The Magic Dragon”. Here it is, may the sadness of it help remind us that imagination is not just for kids, in fact, Albert Einstein stressed its vital role when he said “Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff
And brought him strings and sealing wax and other fancy stuff
Oh, Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Together they would travel on a boat with billowed sail
Jackie kept a lookout perched on Puff’s gigantic tail
Noble kings and princes would bow whene’er they came
Pirate ships would lower their flags when Puff roared out his name
Oh, Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
A dragon lives forever, but not so little boys
Painted wings and giant’s rings make way for other toys
One gray night it happened, Jackie Paper came no more
And Puff, that mighty dragon, he ceased his fearless roar
His head was bent in sorrow, green scales fell like rain
Puff no longer went to play along the cherry lane
Without his lifelong friend, Puff could not be brave
So Puff, that mighty dragon, sadly slipped into his cave
Oh, Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honah Lee
(Below is a sketch of Puff and Jackie – it’s available as an NFT at www.opensea.io)
