Imagination First: Unlocking the Power of Possibility |  | Authors: Eric Liu, Scott Noppe-Brandon, Lincoln Center Institute
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
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Rating:  38 reviews
Sales Rank: 42625
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 256
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.9 x 1
ISBN: 0470382481
Dewey Decimal Number: 153.3
EAN: 9780470382486
ASIN: 0470382481
Publication Date: September 22, 2009
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Product Description
When imagination becomes a habit, it can transform your work and your life. The best corporations know that innovative thinking is the only competitive advantage that cannot be outsourced. The best schools are those that create cultures of imagination. No wonder then that the decisions that compromise our economy, and even our national security, are often blamed on the "failure of imagination." This book introduces us to a wide variety of individuals who have learned how to make a habit of imaginative thinking and creative action. It offers a set of universal practices that anyone can use to transform their life at work, home, and play. These 28.5 (yes, thats 28 and a half) practices, with titles like Mix Your Metaphors, Think Inside the Box, and Routinize Randomness, will enable anyone to become more imaginative and to teach others to do so as well—from corporate executive to educator to platoon sergeant. - Offers 28.5 practices for unlocking anyone's imagination
- Dispels the myth that "you either have it or you dont"
- Contains stories of creative leaders, teachers, artists, and scientists that clearly illustrate the practices
- Eric Liu is the author of The True Patriot and Guiding Lights: How to Mentor
- Scott Noppe-Brandon, who conceived the book, is the Executive Director of Lincoln Center Institute
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 38
A Challenging and Transforming Read November 13, 2009
Bettie Corbin Tucker (PA USA)
Although the authors refer to this book being a "selves-help" book, I also believe that individuals will benefit greatly from reading "Imagination First." My grandfather and mother were both scholars and educators and I heard them use the words "What if?" many times. By using the power of their imaginations, individuals will find that success--however they define it--is within reach. The authors refer to the ICI Continuum in which imagination begets creativity and creativity begets innovation. They define how changes occur through a full development of the habits of immagination. Readers will see how the imagination is a network--the capacity to conceive that which is not...or that which is not perceived. The fact that the imagination can be taught and cultivated was of great interest to me.
The authors look at the themes that arose throughout their twenty-eight-and-a-half practices. Readers will come away with new understanding of the imagination and how to tap this endless resource. This is a scholarly book that is designed to challege minds and help readers achieve success on every level
Quick Inspiration October 30, 2009
Rebecca Haden (Fayetteville, AR)
Eric Liu and Scott Noppe-Brandon start with an impassioned plea for imagination, and a suggestion that there are things about our culture -- our schools, our workplaces, our political process -- that discourage imagination. They distinguish imagination from creativity, and remind us that "frenzy is generally not a sustainable life strategy."
Then they offer "28 and a half" practices, from "Make Mist" to "Fail Well." Each is an example or two of people using imagination in life and work, followed by a discussion of why their particular approach works well and how the reader can apply it.
The final section of the book offers ideas about how organizations can make best use of these practices, and resources for further exploration.
If you already think of yourself as an imaginative person, you will enjoy the practices. Talking about your work with someone who doesn't understand it, the authors say, will cause you to rethink your assumptions -- and an imaginative person will read this and see how that could be the case. You may choose to follow through and do some of the suggested activities, or you may just add them to your ways of seeing the world.
If you think you're not imaginative, you could try one of these almost every day for a month. Appreciate ambiguity on Monday, look at things in a less focused way on Tuesday. By the end of the month, you may be seeing the world differently. The authors believe that imagination can be taught, and the practices they list are intended to do just that.
You could also read a chapter in a meeting or class, pluck a random idea from the book when you face a mental logjam, or choose one of the practices and seriously practice it for as long as it takes to make a difference for you.
However you approach it, this is a fun and thought-provoking book.
An intruiging collection of practices.....with a minor identity crisis October 20, 2009
Sreeram Ramakrishnan (Salem,MA)
The premise of the book is salivating - "when imagination becomes a habit, it can transform your work and life". The first part of the book attempts to present a "continuum" describing the relation of imagination, creativity and innovation. The authors further argue that there is "no such thing as instant innovation" and that "imagination matters even if you don't care a whit about imagination". While the attempts to frame the discussion in their proposed continuum makes for interesting reading, at times it tends to get hyperbolic and loses an opportunity to what could have been a very pedantic and thought provoking exercise. Herein lies the mini-identity crisis of the book - "should I be a self-help book or should I be a scholarly compendium of practices that can trigger creativity?". Unfortunately, the authors try to be both....and shortchange themselves and their message. The second part of the book - a collection of practices. As the authors themselves point out, there is nothing "sacred about the sequence" of these practices, and most of them at first blush seems trivial. Upon closer reading, a reader may be easily able to relate to some of the themes that emerge (as the authors say "some even intentionally") and find opportunities to ask if one can adopt a particular idea or practice mentioned. (As part of a research team where we love to argue and challenge each other, some of the ideas are a little counter-intuitive, but nevertheless interesting - the practice of "Yes and.." was particularly interesting to me.). A reader is likely to be able to relate some of the key themes more than others (if at all). The different narrative styles mixed with anecdotes makes for an engaging reading, though at time the "drama" seems a little distracting. Overall, a reader is likely to ponder on a few occasions whether one can incorporate some of the practices in their own settings. One shouldn't perhaps expect the applicability and efficacy of all these ideas to be equally important or even resonate with them. (3.5 stars).
Inspires creative thinking October 16, 2009
Daydream Believer (Austin, TX)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As you would expect from a book titled "Imagination First", this book provides lots of ideas for sparking innovation and imagination. Many of the ideas and information presented in the book can be found elsewhere, but this book pulls them together nicely. It is a quick read and with 28 separate "practices to unlock creativity" it provides a lot of inspirational ideas to develop and cultivate imagination. I would recommend it if you're looking for quick guide to inspiration.
I also highly recommend Roger Van Oech's A Whack on the Side of the Head: How You Can Be More Creative, which is a lot of fun to read. His Creative Whack Pack is a creative means of finding inspiration and new ways of thinking.
 Imagining the World in a Whole New Way October 12, 2009
Rourke OBrien (Seattle, WA USA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Not surprisingly, the title tells it all. Imagination First. Conventional thinkers will find this book quite uncomfortable if they're looking for validation to continue being `normal'. If imagination isn't first then where else would it be? Second? Tenth? Plain and simple the book makes a strong case that it's possible to develop and cultivate imagination, and that we actually have no choice but to do so. The authors present their case in an easy to follow simple writing style that leaves the reader energized and ready to see ordinary things in a whole new light. In fact after reading Imagination First, you may question if there truly ARE any ordinary things!
The book gives the reader permission to see things and think without boundaries. To see `what is' but to also ask `what if'? The back of the book is content rich, filled with references and articles. There's something in Imagination First for everyone so be sure and include this book in this years reading.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 38
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