How to Train Yourself to Think More Creatively

Creativity is often treated like a mysterious talent that some people naturally possess and others don’t. But research in innovation and entrepreneurship suggests that generating original ideas is less about sudden inspiration - and more about learning how to think under uncertainty.

In this interactive lecture, Johnathan Cromwell, Associate Professor at the University of San Francisco and Faculty Director of the Entrepreneurship for All Initiative, guides attendees through a series of creative exercises designed to stretch the mind in unexpected ways.

Through hands-on activities and real-world innovation frameworks, this talk explores how new ideas are generated, why ambiguity is essential for creativity, and how anyone can strengthen their ability to think entrepreneurially. By the end of the night, attendees will leave with new tools for creative problem-solving - and a personalized “creative thinking profile” that reveals how they approach innovation.

Speaker: Johnathan Cromwell, UC Berkeley