Synectics is a technique for creative management developed by William J. Gordon.
The main goal of synectics is to make people aware of the psychological processes they follow in their approach of problems. A facilitator chairs a meeting and takes care that criticism is avoided but expressed by means of questions. This is called listening in and listening out. Gordon has shown that emotional rather than intellectual and irrational rather than rational elements are involved in creative and successful problem-solving. Much attention should be given to the relation of the creative group with the outside.
The following starting points can be recognized in synectics:
1 Each individual is creative; we only differ to the degree we are consciously creative.
2 Creativity can be learned; even though the training is very much 'unlearning'.
3 Only they who want to change can learn it. If there is the conscious will to learn, the often drastic change in attitude can be achieved.
4 Managing creativity has much in common with managing quality:
* goal setting
* structure
* rules
* mentality