The Riddle: Where Ideas Come From and How to Have Better Ones

Have you ever had a problem you couldn’t figure out no matter how hard you tried? Someone likely advised you to "Take a break. Don’t think so hard." And so you did. And then, on waking up, while in the shower, or while stuck in traffic, it happened. "Aha!" you said. "I’ve got it! I’ve figured it out!" Just when you least expected it, you became suddenly creative – an instant innovator was born! In this fascinating keynote presentation, best-selling author and Kellogg School of Management professor Andrew Razeghi will share research from his book entitled THE RIDDLE whereby he takes readers on a journey into the precise moment of creative insight known famously as the Eureka moment. Professor Razeghi will explain why it happens, when it happens, and - most importantly - what you can do to make it happen more often. As it turns out, thinking differently may be oversold. If you want to learn to be more innovative, you won’t want to miss this talk!     

Audience Learning Outcomes for The Riddle

   1) learn why you have your best ideas when you are least likely trying to have them;
   2) learn how emotion, knowledge, memory, and ethnicity may help/hinder your creativity;
   3) learn how to improve your creativity by practicing common pre-cursors to Eureka!  

Andrew Razeghi is a best-selling author and adjunct associate professor at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. As a writer, educator, and adviser to organizations creativity and innovation, his work spans industries, from consumer packaged goods to healthcare, tourism to media, and non-profit organizations to professional sports teams.  http://www.andrewrazeghi.com/