The Walt Disney Method - Research Paper Example

The Walt Disney Method Introduction Walt Disney method is regarded as one on the most significant business tools that helps in brainstorming ideas to achieve the right goals and objectives. The name of the method borrows from the author, Walt Disney who did not only become a legend in the film industry, but also portrayed as a creative mind as well as an inventor who possessed a comprehensive strategic perspective in a variety of businesses (Kotelnikov, 2010, pg. 43). As a result of the significant achievements and development of working ideas through methods that individuals failed to present initially, Disney earned a lot of recognition with many attributing him as the symbol of “the American dream.” His achievements are evidenced by the creation of a successful business empire that holds its basis on the creativity he developed together with ideas. Disney’s innovative method of working remains relevant until the date and a majority of organizations still emulate the process referred to as Disney approach although it took a further development from Robert Dilts. The paper, therefore, examines Walt Disney approach as well as its usage in professional practice. Definition of Walt Disney Method The method is based on creativity with the aim directed at achieving a result that borrows from the best ideas through the elimination of the unimportant ones in the creativity process. The technique is based on Disney’s success where he managed in turning what appears as fantasies into ideas. Robert Dilts further developed the creativity technique of Disney to achieve the heights of a national language processing tool where companies across the American population perceived the method as essential in enhancing in achievement of organizational goals and strategies (Unamuno et al., 2007, pg 67). Organizations borrowed and still continue to borrow from the method, to enhance in presented well revised and coordinated set of ideas before embarking on any project. The most important point from Disney towards the development of the method relates looking at an issue from a different perspective as well as including all those ideas in the conclusion. Whenever Disney developed an idea for a film, he not only thought about the appearance of the movie on the screen, but also thought of the possible ways of producing the film. Disney would consequently assume the position of the audience as well as adapting the movie. When the steps became complete, the film would eventually get prepared for the public. Disney method, therefore, comprises of the assessment from different perspectives that helped in complementing each other and as a result leading to a blockbuster. To emphasize on the Disney method, Disney embarked on three roles, discussing them simultaneously or consecutively. These patterns of thought presented in Disney way remain significant factors in achieving success. The method is based on three roles of the dreamer, realist as well as that of the critic. Usage of the Walt Disney Method The patterns or rules apply to an individual or group’s perspective where every step or thinking unit holds a different position. The first function of thought relates to the dreamers who does not receive hindrance through strait-jacketing but possesses creativity and imaginations and sees limitless opportunities. The second part refers to a realist who focuses on the practical possibilities with an aim of determining whether any idea is feasible (Viet, 2013). The aspects considered by a realist may include availability of means and time. The last one is a critic whose role is not criticizing the dreamer’s plan or the realist’s insight, but rather takes an observer’s point of view and filters out as well as removing all crucial mistakes. When Disney was creating stories, he focused and efficiently ensured he adhered to the use of three perceptual positions. In describing his creative process, Disney argued that: “The story every man must see clearly in his mind how every piece of business in a story will be put. There is a need for the person to feel every expression as well as a reaction (Gobbo and Disney, 2007, pg. 70. Consequently, the director of the film needs to get far enough away from the story in mind to warrant for taking a second look at the story to find out whether there exists any dead phase, to determine whether the used personalities possess attractive as well as appealing to the audience. A man also needs to develop a perception that the roles of the characters possess an impressive nature” (Kotelnikov, 2010). The description serves as a means of explaining how to use effectively the Disney method as it directs to the need to striking the appropriate balance between the three roles. Creativity, therefore, is total processes that incorporates the three parts and are interdependent. It implies that where a dreamer lacks a realist, it becomes impossible to turn the ideas possessed into tangible expressions. Consequently, a critic together with a dreamer who lacks a realist will eventually end up stuck in a continuous conflict. Although a dreamer together with a realist possess the capability to create things and will achieve that goal, they might fail to achieve the best quality of production without a critic. As Robert Dilts 2009 (115) states, critics play a significant role in evaluating as well as refining the creativity products. Development, Application and use in Practice The success of Disney through the use of his method is evidenced as he managed to create a successful business strategy that attracted appeal throughout the world presenting him as a genius. The most notable development of the Disney method is evidenced through Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) (Dilts and Dilts, 1991, pg. 19). NLP is a concept used to make explicit maps relating to successful thinking strategies of individuals who possess unique talents. The process explores how individuals end up sequencing as well as using fundamental abilities that include sight, hearing as well as feeling with an aim of organizing and performing in the world surrounding them (Dilts, 2011, pg. 59). The idea behind Disney’s method from the onset despite failing to possess the required tools for programming relied on such concept. The tool was developed by Dilts upon conducting an extensive research relating to the work of Disney. Dilts also developed the method through adding another step that serves as the first view through presenting an outsider’s perception before getting to the dreamers level. While applying the Disney method, organizations organize the individuals tasked with the role of a group (Welt, 2013). On the onset, the group’s tasks involve thinking as outsiders and engage in reviewing the facts, data as well as external viewpoints relating to the issue at hand. The group members may take different roles that may include those of consultants, suppliers, clients or competitors with an aim of getting a more rounded view regarding the issue. The group then moves out of the room and on the second entrance, they take the role of dreamers. The task presented here is striving to imagine the best available solution that is constraints free. All possible ideas are brainstormed through the use of divergent thinking to enhance in solving the problem. During the process, criticism or judgment is prohibited with any idea generated written down. When the group leaves the room and returns, they perceive the role of realists where they take a practical and a constructive mindset (Neuman, 1999, pg. 217). A review of the ideas presented from the dreamers and an application of the right criteria is done to enhance in converging the best ideas. Upon completing the selection of the best ideas, they develop a project plan that comprises of timescales, costs as well as risks and benefits. The last task of the group is turning their perception as the critics where all the group members review the plan with an aim of identifying problems, risks, and obstacles. The approach is neither negative nor cynical, but a critical and constructive one. After a critical review, the process might be completed, or a recommendation of reviewing further through getting back to the other processes is proposed. Once an agreement is held regarding the plan, it is sent to the management for implementation (Dilts and Bonissone, 1993, pg. 217). Strengths of the Walt Disney Method Walt Disney method is associated with a variety of strengths mostly that serves as the reason behind the widespread use of the method in various companies and regions. One of the major strength of the approach is helping in the promotion of creativity among a team or an individual. Creativity is essential in any business that intends to position itself for the future as it enhances in providing important measures that aid sustainability. Consequently, creativity helps in the creation of a competitive advantage an important factor in a business operation. The three vital roles defined by the method provide room for deep thinking and deep evaluation of issues and as a result creativity is promoted either by an individual or group. Secondly, the process serves as a reminder of the importance of checking things from three different perspectives before a judgment is made (Rijke, 2008, pg, 213). The process serves in ensuring that possible mistakes are corrected before final implementation of the project at hand as a review is done from the tree independent perspectives. That helps in limiting regrets and losses resulting from implementation of weak and unproductive projects. The next strength is that the process helps in removing conflict existing between dreaming as well as practicalities. More time, a person may dream and attribute the thought to an idea. Through the use of the Walt Disney method, it becomes easy to separate the practical aspect and the dreaming part of any issue. The process ensures that non-achievable dreams are put off at the initial stages before time and energy are consumed. The next strength relates to the ability of the method in enhancing testing relating to the realization of a dream, idea or goal. Before embarking on the new concept, Disney approach facilitates a platform of realizing the concept limiting the room for errors (McGuinness, 2011). The last strength relates to the fact that in an organization, the process advocates for teamwork that increases the level of thinking and problem-solving. A team serves better from the onset in coming up with ideas and addressing different issues attributed to any idea generated as opposed to an individual thereby leaving minimal or no room for errors from the selected choices. Weaknesses of the Walt Disney Method Despite the method achieving significant strengths leading to its adoption across the film-making and business world, it contains some weaknesses. One of the major weaknesses of the processes relates to the concept of time consumption before embarking on a project. Reviewing an idea or a dream along the three different steps requires a lot of time either from an individual or a group. A quantifiable amount of time is essential in ensuring that any error that may exist at any given step is eliminated (Deering et al., 2002, pg. 318). The next weakness is exposure to bias especially in a group considering that the same group of individuals are involved in all the stages of the method. Individuals who raise ideas may become unwilling to point at the weaknesses that they may identify at the next step. Such an action is dangerous it leads to the implementation of weak projects where the other group members may fail to recognize the weakness. Again, the group members or the individual evaluating the issue as a different viewer may fail to determine the weaknesses as the group of the person is already aware of what the problem entails. Lastly, the method is costly especially for a group as achievement of a final plan is not a one day project and it is not a must that once the group is done with the critical part that the program is implemented as a resolution to d away with the plan is a possibility. Examples of Using Walt Disney Method Examples of using the Disney method are evidenced through various organizational settings as when searching for means of introducing new projects or products in the market. When a company is intending to engage in a new business, various departmental heads are put together where they are requested to air their views about the best project to invest. Services of specialists are also sought in some instances to discuss the strengths, weaknesses and the possibility of the achievement of the project. An evaluation is done based on the Disney method before implementation. Another example is where a business seeks ideas from the members in its subsidiaries regarding an upcoming project or product and the ideas are discussed by a selected team to come up with the best feasible solution (McCune et al., 2008, pg. 39). Conclusion The Walt Disney method serves as one of the best creativity methods with its adoption evidenced across different organizations since its development (Dilts, 2003, pg. 79). Initiated by Walt Disney, the method was further developed by Robert Dilts with the process basing the achievement of creativity on three core perspectives. The aspects involve that of a dreamer, realist and a critic where an individual or a group takes a different view while in the position of each of the three perspectives. The three views are closely connected to each other, and they must work together if success is to be achieved. Despite the method holding some weaknesses, the benefits outweigh the weaknesses and its wide usage across various organizations evidence its success. References Deering, A., Dilts, R., & Russell, J, 2002. Tools for Business Leaders Who Want More from Life. Dilts, R, 2003. Applications of neuro-linguistic programming. Cupertino, CA: Meta Publications. Dilts, R, 2011 Modeling with NLP. Capitola, CA: Meta Publications. Dilts, R., & Bonissone, G, 1993. Skills for the future: Managing creativity and innovation. Cupertino, CA: Meta Publications. Dilts, R., Epstein, T., & Dilts, R. W, 1991. Tools for dreamers: Strategies for creativity and the structure of innovation. Cupertino, CA: Meta Publications. Gobbo, L. D., & Disney, W, 2007. Problem Solving and Decision Making. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-6957-4_9 Kotelnikov, V, 2010, July 4. DISNEY CREATIVITY STRATEGY. Creativity Secrets, How To Be Creative: Creativity Strategies. Walt Disney Creativity Secrets. 3 Steps, 3 Roles, 3 Perceptual Positions: Dreamer, Realist, Critic (Robert Dilts, Strategies of Genius). Retrieved from http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/crosscuttings/creativity_disney_strategy.html McCune, J. M., Perrig, A., Seshadri, A., & Doorn, L. V, 2008. Turtles all the way down: research challenges in user-based attestation. doi:10.1145/1413901.1413903 McGuinness, M, 2011, June 3. The Secret of Walt Disney’s Creativity | Lateral Action. Retrieved from http://lateralaction.com/articles/walt-disney/ Neuman, R, 1999. “Now Mickey Mouse Enters Art's Temple”: Walt Disney at the Intersection of Art and Entertainment. Visual Resources. doi:10.1080/01973762.1999.9658455 RIJKE, V. D, 2008. ONCE UPON A TIME WALT DISNEY: THE SOURCES OF INSPIRATION FOR THE DISNEY STUDIOS BY BRUNO GIRVEAU, LELLA SMITH AND PIERRE LAMBERT. The Art Book. doi:10.1111/j.1467-8357.2008.00901_7.x Unamuno, F., Weffer, N. Q., & Sánchez, M. B, 2007. A.B.A.T.I.R: UN MODELO DE RESILIENCIA EN LAS ORGANIZACIONES HUMANAS CON EL ENFOQUE DE LA PROGRAMACION NEUROLINGUISTICA A.B.A.T.I.R: A RESILIENCE MODEL IN HUMAN ORGANIZATIONS WITH AN NEUROLINGUISTIC PROGRAMMING APROACH. Viet, V. V, 2013, February 13. Disney method (planning strategy) - ToolsHero. Retrieved from http://www.toolshero.com/disney-method/ Welt, P, 2013, October 13. Gathering ideas – The Walt Disney Brainstorming Method | the pigeon and the grain. Retrieved from https://pswelt.wordpress.com/2013/10/13/gathering-ideas-the-walt-disney-brainstorming-method/ Read More