1. Distribute the Lotus Blossom Handout, review the exercise example with the participants, and answer any questions they may have.
2. Tell each group to tape together two sheets of flip-chart paper, side-to-side, to a wall or other hard surface such as a table.
3. Instruct them to replicate the drawing in Figure 7.3, starting with writing a central theme (problem) in the center of the paper, as shown in Figure 7.3.
4. Have them think of related ideas and concepts and write them in the surrounding circles, A through H.
5. Tell them to use each of these ideas as a separate central theme or problem for the surrounding lotus boxes.
6. Encourage them to try to generate eight ideas for each of these themes and write them in the surrounding boxes, 1 through 8.
Debrief/Discussion
Consider having participants debrief using the following questions:
• What was most helpful about this exercise?
• What was most challenging?
• What can we apply?
• How would you rate the value of this exercise to helping us with this issue?
• Will this exercise be helpful in the future for other sessions?
• What did you learn?
• What will we be able to use from this exercise?
• What ideas were generated, and which ones were most interesting?
Lotus Blossom Handout
Suppose your problem involves ways to improve a wristwatch. Write “Improve a wristwatch” in the center of a sheet of paper. Then write eight related concepts in surrounding circles: (a) watch hands, (b) wrist strap, (c) date, (d) time, (e) second hand, (f) battery, (g) appointments, and (h) face. Next, generate ideas for each of these elements.
• Watch hands—different shapes on ends, different colors, different designs
• Wrist strap—buckles, metal, different colors, transparent, different widths
• Date—flashing, multicolored, icons for months, written out
• Time—voice activated, voice response, flashing lights
• Second hand—digital, complementary color, gold plated, variable speed
• Battery—recharge in wall outlet, owner can replace
• Appointments—record appointments, beeper reminder, link appointments with other watches
• Face—celebrity faces, pictures of famous landmarks, spinning face
Taken From : Pfeiffer 101 Activities for Teaching Creativity
