Years of research in neuroscience and other disciplines now debunk the myth that creative geniuses are born, not made. The truth is that leaders can engender more creativity in their practice and translate flashes of insight into tangible, purpose-driven outcomes.
What if there were a framework to develop a sustainable, enduring competitive advantage for you and your organization — would you want to learn and implement it?
The Creativity as Competitive Edge: Inspiration, Ideation and Implementation program brings learners on a journey that teaches a process — one that is supported by research and real-world practice and inspired by design thinking principles. The founding principle is that few competitive advantages endure over time except creative advantage. Advantages achieved through supply-chain innovation or marketing savvy are fleeting. But if an organization uses creativity as a business tool, it can embrace constraints and changing contexts to fuel innovation, not stifle it.
Discover the rules and tools of ideation
Week 1 - Creativity as a Business Tool
Discover the founding principles of “Creative Advantage” to fuel creativity and innovation in your life and your organization
Week 2 - Getting Inspired
Get inspired to spark insights and opportunities to create meaningful impact and change.
Week 3 - Ideas and Collaboration
Discover the rules and tools of ideation for yourself and your organization.
Week 4 - Making Ideas Real
Engage the creative methods that bring your ideas to life.
Week 5 - Implementing Ideas and Inspiring Others
Develop your communication and persuasion skills to act as an ambassador and evangelist for creativity in your organization.
David Schonthal - Academic Director; Clinical Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Faculty Director of Zell Fellows Program; Senior Director of Business Design – IDEO
Leigh Thompson - Academic Director; J. Jay Gerber Professor of Dispute Resolution & Organizations Professor of Management & Organizations
What is the program about?
In Creativity as Competitive Edge, you will learn to use creativity as a business tool, flipping constraints into opportunities for innovation and gaining the confidence to inspire others to be receptive to your ideas.
What is the learning experience?
Your learning experience will consist of frameworks delivered via video lectures, live webinars, real world examples and case studies, application of frameworks through weekly activities, customized assignments and quizzes, discussion boards, and faculty engagement.
What is the program format?
The program consists of 6 modules delivered over 6 weeks online. Learners can expect to dedicate 4-6 hours per week to watch videos, complete assignments and participate in discussions.
Could a learner choose to opt out of some topics?
No. This is an online program in which a topic module is introduced each week and the learner is expected to watch the video lectures, participate in the optional live webinars, complete the exercises/activities and take the mastery quiz at the end of each week to progress to the subsequent week’s topic.
How much time is allocated to complete assignments?
The due date for submitting assignments is typically within 7 days of the module opening, but can be as long as 14 days, depending on the scope of the assignment. However, learners may request deadline extensions to accommodate for business and personal conflicts that may arise during the program timeframe. Reach out to the program leader to discuss any challenges you may have in completing assignments.
Can participation in this program be counted as credit toward a degree, either at Kellogg, Northwestern University or another academic institution?
No. Executive Education offers only non-degree programs and each participant receives a certificate of completion at the end of the program. This certificate does not count as credit toward a degree. In addition, at this time, our online programs do not count as credit toward a Kellogg Executive Scholar Certificate.
Does the program offer community engagement for learners?
Yes, participants can create a profile, connect and collaborate with peers, and interact with academic/industry experts such as program leaders and teaching assistants. Office hours will be held during the program and all participants are welcome to join in with questions or to discuss assignments.
What are the requirements for accessing the program?
Participants will need the following to access the Creativity as Competitive Edge program:
Does the program offer a certificate?
Yes. Participants will receive a digital certificate of completion from Kellogg following a successful conclusion to the program. Since this program is graded as a pass or fail, participants must receive an 80% to pass and obtain the certificate. This digital certificate can be shared with colleagues and posted on LinkedIn. (PLEASE NOTE: We do not provide reports of assessments, or “transcripts,” since this is a non-degree program.)
Who is Emeritus and what is their relationship with Kellogg Executive Education?
Kellogg Executive Education is partnering with Emeritus Institute of Management, an online education provider, to develop and deliver this program. By working with Emeritus, we are able to provide broader access to Executive Education, beyond our on-campus offerings, in a collaborative and engaging format that is consistent with Kellogg’s standard of quality.
Additional questions?
Please contact us at 847-467-6018 or ExecEd@kellogg.northwestern.edu