Imagination First - Paperback

by Eric Liu (Author), Scott Noppe-Brandon (Author), Lincoln Center Institute (Author)

When imagination becomes habit, it can transform your work and your life

The best corporations know that innovative thinking is the only competitive advantage that cannot be outsourced. The best schools are those that create cultures of imagination. Now in paperback, Imagination First introduces a wide-variety of individuals who make a habit of imaginative thinking and creative action, offering a set of universal practices that anyone can use to transform their life at work, home, and play. These 28.5 practices will enable anyone to become more imaginative and to teach others to do so as well from corporate executive to educator to platoon sergeant. Bonus content includes

• Winning "practices" submitted by the public
• Guidelines for educators who want to cultivate creativity in their classrooms
• Expanded resource section

The book is filled with illustrative stories of creative leaders, teachers, artists, and scientists that clearly illustrate the original practices and new material that shows how to bring imagination to life.

Front Jacket

praise for imagination first

Drawing from literature, the latest science, and a wide array of real-world examples, Imagination First shines a much-needed lantern into the blackbox of the creative process. For anyone interested in succeeding in today's imagination economy, this timely book offers an expansive and accessible toolbox.--Daniel H. Pink, author, A Whole New Mind and Drive

Imagination is an indispensible quality in a dancer or choreographer, but it cannot flourish without arduous, passionate practice. And it is a joy to see it taken beyond the world of the arts, to an audience from all walks of life, demystified and accompanied not merely by vague advice on how to be imaginative but by concrete, amazing practices. A book of delightful surprises and assured discovery--just like good choreography. --Judith Jamison, artistic director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Imagination First offers a blueprint for tapping into the power of imagination, which is the core of innovation. Every student should be in a classroom where investigating, questioning, and discovering are inherently part of the curriculum. In today's economy, these skills are essential for success and continued world leadership in the 21st century.--John I. Wilson, executive director, National Education Association

This is a wonderful book about opening our minds, by two writers who understand well what is likely to close them. Each chapter demonstrates how to break the bonds of unseen assumptions, by 'rinsing out expectations, ' redesigning spaces to support generative conversations, creating new narratives, and much more. Each chapter is just long enough to deliver a mind-popping idea and just short enough to keep us from getting lost in our usual thoughts. --Rosamund Zander, coauthor, The Art of Possibility, family therapist, executive coach

Imagination First unlocks the secrets of the most important aspect of human consciousness and will be a valuable aid to anyone wishing to unfold their potential for creativity. --Deepak Chopra, author, The Soul of Leadership

Back Jacket

Praise for Imagination First

"Drawing from literature, the latest science, and a wide array of real-world examples, Imagination First shines a much-needed lantern into the blackbox of the creative process. For anyone interested in succeeding in today's imagination economy, this timely book offers an expansive and accessible toolbox."
--Daniel H. Pink, author, A Whole New Mind and Drive

"Imagination is an indispensible quality in a dancer or choreographer, but it cannot flourish without arduous, passionate practice. And it is a joy to see it taken beyond the world of the arts, to an audience from all walks of life, demystified and accompanied not merely by vague advice on how to be imaginative but by concrete, amazing practices. A book of delightful surprises and assured discovery--just like good choreography."
--Judith Jamison, artistic director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

"Imagination First offers a blueprint for tapping into the power of imagination, which is the core of innovation. Every student should be in a classroom where investigating, questioning, and discovering are inherently part of the curriculum. In today's economy, these skills are essential for success and continued world leadership in the 21st century."
--John I. Wilson, executive director, National Education Association

"This is a wonderful book about opening our minds, by two writers who understand well what is likely to close them. Each chapter demonstrates how to break the bonds of unseen assumptions, by 'rinsing out expectations, ' redesigning spaces to support generative conversations, creating new narratives, and much more. Each chapter is just long enough to deliver a mind-popping idea and just short enough to keep us from getting lost in our usual thoughts."
--Rosamund Zander, coauthor, The Art of Possibility, family therapist, executive coach

"Imagination First unlocks the secrets of the most important aspect of human consciousness and will be a valuable aid to anyone wishing to unfold their potential for creativity."
--Deepak Chopra, author, The Soul of Leadership

Author Biography

ERIC LIU is at the New America Foundation and writes for Slate magazine. He is the author of Guiding Lights and The Accidental Asian, a New York Times notable book featured in the PBS documentary Matters of Race. Eric served as a speechwriter for President Clinton in the first term and as White House deputy domestic policy advisor in the second. After the White House, he was an executive at the digital media company RealNetworks. A frequent commentator on CNN, CNBC, and MSNBC, Eric is one of GQ magazine's "Pundits We Like" and was cited by A. Magazine a one of the national's 25 most influential Asian Americans. In 2002, he was named by the World Economic Forum one of the 100 "Global Leaders of Tomorrow." He lives with his family in Seattle, where he hosts a local NPR interview show called, "The Power of Voice" and teaches at the University of Washington's Evans School of Public Affairs. Eric speaks regularly at conferences and campuses around the country.

SCOTT NOPPE-BRANDON is executive director of Lincoln Center Institute (LCI), an arts and education organization where students learn about and through the arts by focusing on works of art, including performing and visual arts, and architecture. LCI's principles support learning across the curriculum. The Institute works in partnership with pre-K through grade twelve educators and degree-granting teacher education programs, and provides numerous professional development opportunities. Founded in 1975, the Institute is the educational cornerstone of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Inc, and a global leader in education and the arts. Since its inception, it has reached over 3 million students and some 50,000 educators.