Unlocking Creativity: How to Solve Any Problem and Make the Best Decisions by Shifting Creative Mindsets with Michael Roberto

January 16, 2024

The Guest

Michael A. Roberto is the Trustee Professor of Management at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. He is also Bryant University’s Center for Program Innovation Director after serving on the faculty at Harvard Business School for 6 years. As a testament to his brilliance, Professor Roberto has been hailed winner of the Outstanding MBA Teaching Award at Bryant University nine times. He also won Harvard’s Allyn Young Prize for Teaching twice.

Professor Roberto’s research, consulting, and teaching focuses primarily on leadership, with emphasis on teams and decision-making. He has published two books, including the bestseller, Why Great Leaders Don’t Take Yes for An Answer.

His new book, Unlocking Creativity, tackles the six organizational mindsets that block creativity. In essence, his new book aims to clear the fog around creativity and equip leaders with the right insight so they can develop supportive cultures and mindsets where creativity can thrive.

The Episode

This week’s episode talks about creativity, the concepts that get in the way of creativity, and how people can prepare themselves to become more internationally-minded in terms of business.

Professor Roberto also shares how creativity can be sparked in the classroom setting, what he likes to read to get his creativity going, and how you can figure out if an idea is the right one.

For those who want to hone their creativity, Professor Roberto offers the following advice, “The creative process is not a linear one. It’s kinda non-linear. And one of the best things you can do is go out and try something. Test and experiment and then learn and adapt.”