UX & Product Creation Hub: 2 Types of Thinking You Will Need at Your Workshop

Workshops run on different thinking patterns than regular meetings. Instead of linear discussions, they rely on two complementary forms of creative thinking. Understanding—and mastering—these two modes will dramatically improve the outcomes of any workshop you run.

🔧 What Is a Workshop?

Google defines a workshop as a specially organised event where people meet to present ideas, discuss, and experiment in work- or art-related contexts.

Workshops are structured spaces for exploration, hands-on collaboration, and problem-solving — and require two essential thinking modes.

🧠 2 Types of Thinking You Apply at Your Workshop

Workshops combine:

🔮 Divergent thinking — expanding possibilities

🎯 Convergent thinking — narrowing toward a solution

Both are essential, each serving a different purpose.

🔮 Divergent Thinking — and How to Develop It

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."
— Maya Angelou

Divergent thinking is the process of generating multiple, varied, and innovative ideas. The more you use it, the stronger it grows.

Strengthening neuroplasticity also enhances this creative capacity. 

Characteristics of Divergent Thinking

✨ Creative and innovative — breaks patterns

🔍 Exploratory — examines problems from every angle

🌊 Free-flowing — ideas emerge without judgment

🚫 Not always practical — many ideas won't be used (and that’s okay) 

How Divergent Thinking Shows Up in Workshops 

🧩 Brainstorming

📝 Multiple design solutions

🗺️ SWOT or journey mapping

💡 Creative exploration activities

 🎯 Convergent Thinking — and How to Develop It

"Innovation is saying ‘no’ to 1,000 ideas."
          — Steve Jobs 

Convergent thinking evaluates and narrows ideas into practical, feasible, sustainable solutions. Domain knowledge, analytical frameworks, and structured thinking strengthen it.

Characteristics of Convergent Thinking

🎯 Focused — identifies the single best solution
🧩 Logical & analytical — evaluates systematically
📐 Structured — uses frameworks and step-by-step reasoning
⚡ Efficient — aims for accuracy and clarity

How Convergent Thinking Shows Up in Workshops

🔵 Narrowing ideas
🗳️ Dot voting or prioritisation
📊 SWOT or feasibility scoring
🎬 Choosing the final concept or next step

Other examples include solving a problem with one correct answer or evaluating decisions through a structured process.

📚 Next Steps: Get Wise

Explore more guides to strengthen your workshop skills:

Get Wise on How to Purpose and Reason Your Workshops Well

Get Wise on How to Create Psychological Comfort at Your Workshops

Get Wise on How to Design Effective Workshops 

3 Tips on How to Enhance Creative Output at Your Workshops

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Cris Griffiths with Melina Costi, The Creative Thinking Handbook - Your Step-by-Step Guide to Problem Solving in Business, Kogan Page Ltd., 2022

https://www.google.com/search?q=divergent+thinking

https://www.google.com/search?q=workshop

Thanks to karolinagrabowska from Pixabay for the picture