CPSI Conference #1
Have you ever been both scared to death and excited about going into a totally new situation that you put yourself into for your own good? That’s how I felt earlier today as I landed in Buffalo NY for the CPSI (Creative Problem Solving Institute) Conference…the 52nd annual one at that. I had no idea something like this has been around for so long. I didn’t know who would be attending; how many people to expect; what they would be like; how I would be accepted; and more. I might seem confident and sure of myself on the outside, yet sometimes I have to overcompensate on the outside to convince the inside.
While I’m in the idea implementation business, I have never been to a conference specifically devoted to creativity, ideas, and making a difference in many aspects of the world. I’m here for my own personal & professional development as well as to make a ton of connections so that I am more effective for my clients and students. The list of presenters and instructors is truly impressive – leaders in academia, business, non-profits, and entrepreneurship. Names like Mary O’Bara-Deveraux, Ph.D (world-reknown futurist & business forecaster); Charles Clough (leader of the “pictures generation”); Tim Hurson (founding partner of ThinkX Intellectual Capital delivering productive thinking programs worldwide). I’ve already met two National Speaker Association speaker colleagues from the New England area whom I’ve not met before, and someone from Argentina as well as Trinidad.
So what am I here to accomplish? (1) To learn some of the science and research behind the processes I lead. I know they work because my clients say they do and I witness their “a-ha” moments with my guidance. But there’s so much more behind the “why they work” and understanding that will help me be more confident about my processes. (2) To establish relationships with thought leaders and facilitators who understand creativity AND systems that help with facilitating the creativity process. We “idea people” can get all the ideas we want. But it helps to have systems and tools to help others with their ideas. Sometimes the “do’ers” are challenged with being teachers because we don’t realize the processes we use for ourselves. I am always working to be a better facilitator and teacher. (3) I envision being one of the facilitators / presenters here one day and am here to learn the lay of the land for doing so.
Tonight there’s an improv mixer for getting to know each other. I’m pushing my envelope the first evening…improv! How terrifying.