‘Creative intuition’ is an act of invention starting from the deliberate observation of an apparently normal context. It is the capability to actively pay attention to reality; and to put oneself into a position to make connections and actively ‘notice’. ’Noticing’ is a practice which is integral to an organisation thriving. It is the combination of individuals scanning the environment around them and the process by which the organisation filters this intelligence and filters the signal from the noise. It enables individuals to be free to see the previously ‘unseen’.
Developing the ability to recognise is enhanced by the practice of ‘noticing’, this development of ‘noticing’ begins with a recognition that as an individual you are ‘not noticing’. The process of intentional noticing begins internally with the individual but can move to involve colleagues and potentially whole teams.
As your skill in ‘noticing’ increases, 2 developments will occur; you will be able to process and prioritise your observations more swiftly and ‘mark’ some notices for deeper analysis. Secondly, you will become more adept at imagining possible alternatives and how these might be tested. Once again, it may be helpful to use these marked notices and courses of action as the basis for a 1:1 or team meet etc.
As time passes you will have accumulated a good deal of evidence for improvement (innovative ideas)which can be shared with a wider set of colleagues through an innovation process. Begin by giving an account of what you noticed, followed by an account for what you noticed. This build will allow you to test your perspective with a range of views and for you to make a more considered response to what you ‘notice’.
Noticing is then an aid to both individual and team development and an integral part of an organisation’s innovation process.
Supporting innovation by developing creative intuition through active noticing
