the box thinking
Program for out of
UNBOX YOUR MIND
Програма за събуждане и развитие на креативното мислене
Най-простото обяснение за креативност е да имаш повече от едно решение за даден казус.
Или да свържеш несвързани нишки.
creative thinking is a life skill
Creative thinking is widely considered a vital life skill because it helps individuals adapt to rapid changes, solve problems innovatively, and generate new ideas for personal and professional challenges, ultimately contributing to progress and a more fulfilling life.
It empowers people to find unique perspectives and develop new skills to navigate both favorable and unfavorable situations effectively.
Креативността може да се събуди, може да се тренира и развива.
Като всяко нещо - иска време и практика.
your mind - your treasure
In practice, Unbox Your Mind is about discovering perspectives you didn’t know you had, connecting ideas you didn’t think were related, and experiencing the power of creative thinking in action.
MORE CREATIVE
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workshops & expressions:
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about
culture, corporate culture
Promoting creativity, ideas, and diversity. Viva!
Don't forget - you are creative, so act like a creative person.
From inspiration to self-discovery
Exploring some cultural blind spots we face locally…
Soon...
On corporate culture and cake
Sweet fake or everyday reality?
When a company proudly posts on social media a one-off snapshot of employees around a homemade cake - sprinkled with grand words about joy, unity, office harmony and high standards… My first reaction is always: “Oh, really?” Don’t get me wrong: I love cake. I love banitsa too. I drink boza and ayran. I admire every act of creation, especially if it can be eaten. And yes - food does bring people together, and it’s great to have reasons, formal or not, to share a bite in the office. But here’s the thing: the real issue is in the communication itself. Can a few slices of cake truly be proof of strong corporate culture and good practices? Personally, I find hollow pathos irritating. It shines the spotlight on the façade instead of authenticity and self-reflection. A random photo, wrapped in overblown praise, leaves me wondering: - Is bringing a cake to the office really a symbol of freedom and creativity at work? - Does the post reflect how employees actually think and feel? - Or is it just someone’s good baking skills turned into a pedestal for lofty words? And for outsiders looking in, what are we supposed to think? “Wow, so cool! If I work there, I might get cake every now and then.” “Should I learn a fancy cake recipe just to fit in?” I can almost imagine the conversation behind the post: “Hmm, what can we publish today to showcase our office culture?” “Ah yes, Tanya brought a cake. Let’s glorify that.” From my professional experience, audiences are often underestimated. “Let’s keep it simple so even Aunt Vili or Grandpa Stoyan will get it.” But if we keep creating and communicating through clichés - because they feel safe - we end up living in them. If the goal is to encourage obedience, then sure, take a photo: cake cliché achieved. But if the goal is to build an environment where people feel free to contribute and show potential - then the culture should reflect that mindset. And in that case, cake can just stay what it is: cake. Tasty, shared, genuine - no need to be anything extraordinary. Because in the end, style reveals substance. - For some, a random cake moment becomes a reason for empty words and confused employer branding. - For others, food in the office is just a warm part of everyday life, no matter who brought it.
On the nakedness of corporate culture and posing
Hello, where are the variety and the ideas?
Back in sculpture class, we were taught to model the nude body. The man who posed for us believed he had to come every time in the same briefs, so as not to ruin the composition. No one had explained to him that the underwear was irrelevant to sculpting the nude body. I draw this analogy with certain internal company policies on culture. Great ambition – linear thinking – a one-dimensional interpretation. I?I Why do people so often perceive corporate events as boring? Tedious, attended reluctantly, almost out of obligation. - If there is no human, authentic connection, no experience of something new – the celebration turns into a hollow scaffold of predictable performance. - If the concept of events doesn’t change for years, same food and drinks, only the location differs – again, predictable boredom. I?I Is a lavish budget a guarantee for a pleasant company event? The approach of "everything money can buy" and decorated to the brim, just to flaunt abundance. Spending doesn’t guarantee meaning or experience. But it can easily turn into showiness without substance. With the focus only on budget – just an expensive distribution of boredom. I!I Without grand expectations, but with curiosity: Will the next initiative be another copy-paste? Or could it be a step toward something one or two ideas different... - Something that brings a smile. - Something that will be remembered. - Something with a contribution for good. :)
On the fear of ideas
Widespread or personal?
Only 1 in 3 people feel confident enough to share new ideas.* And the rest? *Source: Corporate Rebels If a similar study were conducted in Bulgaria, I suspect the number of those who refrain would be even higher. The topic is broad and multifaceted, but I keep asking myself: - Where does fear come from when it comes to ideas? - Does the chill start at the top of the hierarchy or within ourselves? LOCALIZING FEAR: A) Fear imposed by senior management – the owners? If that is the case, then only a handful of people shape the culture of 10, 100, 1000 or more. And those who live in this atmosphere take it home with them. They share it with their family and friends… This is how what some call culture spreads – something that can nourish, or something that can stifle. Umm: - Is it really a corporate culture or just a disguised dictatorship? B) Fear inside us? If no one restricts free thought in the workplace – why do we still choose silence? It is normal to feel a little fear, even when we propose an idea. But it is worth remembering: - rejecting an idea is not a rejection of who we are; - every idea can be a step towards another or a spark to inspire someone else. THE MINDSET: Every person is important and brings value. Every contribution adds meaning to the culture we share. Every idea creates opportunity and diversity. Of course, ideas must aim to solve problems and be grounded – not just gestures of activism or a deviation towards the absurd. For example: offers like “Kaufland Ultra – 24/7” with live chalga music and scooters instead of shopping carts (it’s not even funny). Fact: Every business owner wants results. Fact: The same thoughts lead to the same actions, the same results. Fact: We all have ideas, but too often we hide them, regardless of position. From my own experience: No business owner has ever scolded, fined or fired me for starting or implementing something that supports office culture and well-being. That’s why I advocate giving voice to our ideas, not our fears. To create instead of just surviving.
On culture and lie detectors
Or… a “truth meter” for trus?
Apparently, it’s become trendy in Bulgaria for employers to use lie detectors - during job interviews, and sometimes beyond. Media says so. But from my own experience… It's rare. From my experience: In my XX years in the professional world, I’ve only run into this twice. (Funny enough, I once worked somewhere where everyone - coming in and going out - went through scanners for themselves and their belongings, plus fingerprint codes. But still, no lie detector! 💡) First encounter: It was a workplace scenario. I didn’t have to take the “truth test,” but the rest of the management team did. And… well, those running their own little “company within the company”? They flat-out refused. Second encounter: Happened at a company event. Someone casually mentioned: if professional disputes arise - arguments over who’s right or wrong - the lie detector can settle it. During the event, employees could submit questions. Most were light-hearted, like: “How do I become a millionaire?” “How do I become a billionaire?” “Which school is best for kids?” Apparently, in a lie-detector culture, these are the kinds of questions that pop up - harmless, but telling. ANALOGY: WORLD I1I – Lie detector + culture of distrust Here, you watch every word, measure it, or just stay silent. Ideas? They’re more like survival hacks or little tricks. A “Whoa, the boss is coming!” mentality dominates. Productivity? Sure, but mostly template-style - follow orders, don’t rock the boat. WORLD I2I – Creativity + culture of trust Here, people feel free, supported, encouraged. Ideas, experiments, and bold proposals thrive. Take IDEO, one of the world’s most famous creative companies: “The bolder the idea, the better!” Even the wildest ideas can lead to breakthroughs. Their track record speaks for itself: the first Apple mouse, Palm V PDA, Steelcase’s Leap chair… and more. The takeaway: Choices made out of fear? Never a recipe for growth. 🚫 Where fear rules, individuality goes into exile. 🚫
Ключови моменти в процеса по събуждане на креативното мислене:
Важен е начинът, по който формулираме въпросите – той може да определи колко креативно мислим. Тоест - въпросите задават посоката.
Според Luc, реалните пробиви идват от това да смениш „кутията“ на мислене.
За терминът "кутия" не съм съгласна.
Аз гледам на креативното мислене, като необятен хоризонт.
Но сме на едно мнение с него по:
Едни и същи действия водят до едни и същи резултати.
Креативното мислене и промяна в модела предполагат коренна промяна на начина по който възприемаме среда, обстоятелства, казуси и т.н.
ОБОБЩЕНО И В ЕДИНОМИСЛИЕ:
> Креативността не е магия, а умение да избираш и създаваш нови модели на мислене.
> Реални идеи и нови прозрения идват, когато предизвикаш допусканията си, нагласите и рамките, които приемаш за даденост.
Генерирането на истински нови идеи не е митичен процес, а умение, което можем да развиваме:
„Кутията“ е ментална граница между това, което вече знаем и това, което още не сме мислили.
Според Giovanni, живеем в свят, в който споделяме едни и същи факти и информация, а истинското различие идва от това какво ново създаваме с тази информация.
И да, креативността не е лукс, а необходимо умение за адаптация и развитие в новото време, в което живеем.
Едно желание за развитие, което провокира различно мислене за нови резултати.
key takeaways
< Креативността не идва случайно - тя изисква практика и осъзнато управление на мисленето.
< Да мислиш извън кутията означава и да приемаш несигурност.
< Креативните идеи идват от комбиниране, асоцииране и по-дълго, концептуално мислене.
< Оценката на идеи изисква смелост и отваряне към новото, без незабавни предположения за тяхната приложимост.
ОБОБЩЕНО И В ЕДИНОМИСЛИЕ:
> Добре е да въвеждаме необичайни, абсурдни или „грешни“ идеи, които разширяват мисленето отвъд преобладаващите идеи.
> Corazza дефинира креативност като long thinking процес, при който оставяме мислите да плуват и да се комбинират за по‑дълъг период, подобно на начина, по който музика или поезия ни пренасят отвъд отделните елементи.
> Да използваме техники като асоциации, комбинации и пренасяне на принципи в нови области, за да разширим възможностите и да създадем нови концепции.
> Да търсим алтернативи, а не на „правилен отговор“. В креативното мислене няма едно правилно решение - има много възможности.