Creativity and Lawyers - Sapps Creative Model

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Creativity and Lawyers
Sapp's Creativity Model

Whilst creativity and lawyers may not seem to be natural bedfellows there are remarkable parallels. The nature of the law means that we are involved with creative problem solving - no two-clients/ cases are exactly the same.

We all have key projects, which if we are not careful can turn into “ticking” time bombs, and assume monster proportions and we can become stuck. If you are facing such a situation then accept that you need to do something different –one way is to adopt Sapp’s Creativity Model.

First Insight

Research/ Saturation

Incubation

Creative block

Illumination Ah-Ha

Verification

1. Initial insight – ask yourself what is the problem?

2. Research - Dedicate a block of time of between 20 – 30 minutes. Revisit the file/ project afresh fact find rather than expect the solution to come immediately to you. The trick is to get started.

3. Incubation - Mental time out. After your initial research take a break do something completely different – relax, go for a walk (if you can sleep on the problem then even better). This allows your unconscious mind to start playing with the problem.

4. Creative block - well recognised in studies on creativity learn to accept it as part of the process rather than panic that you don’t know the answer.

5. Illumination - The ah- ha moment when you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Short of time? Take a short cut how did you solve a similar problem? Not come across this problem before? Accept that you need help. Use your network of contacts as a sounding board. “Phone a friend,” someone you trust inside or outside your firm, admit you’re stuck and run the problem by them. Ask them what they would do Offer to return the favour when the need arises.

6. Verification – when you check out that your idea will work in reality, evaluate the answer and take action!!

NB Avoid running around in “headless chicken” mode at all costs. Stress decreases your effectiveness. The thinking part of your brain literally shuts down under pressure!

Until next time and best wishes

Jane Wintringham

Leading Women Lawyers, Develop4choice, 20 Thornfield Road, West Park, Leeds LS16 5AR, United Kingdom
Tel 0113 305 3604 | Email: info@leadingwomenlawyers.co.uk