The narrative method uses the techniques that writers use to create stories. For example:

• Developing new worlds in your mind. If employees are asked to think about an unusual customer, then imagine a world where all customers are like that. Would that change your business?
• Perspective shifting. An executive at a company might be asked to answer a problem by thinking like another team member.

The scenarios you dream up will not actually happen, but they can open you up to imagine radically different possibilities.

Researchers have developed a far better method for training people to be creative.

This method is based on narrative theory and helps people be creative in the same way children and artists are: making up stories that imagine alternative worlds, shift perspective and genera...