HOW THE PAPER FISH LEARNED TO SWIM

 If you love something -- especially an idea -- set it free.

Illustrations by Raina Bays

 In a remote fishing village in Japan, an origami master named Daishinji creates a beautiful fish from one flat sheet of paper. But the fish says he is lonely, so Daishinji creates a whole paper world for him -- ocean, seaweed, an octopus, and many other creatures. Still, the paper fish begs to be set free in a real ocean, to know the feel of water and understand the mysteries of the deep.

 Reluctantly, Daishinji sets her creation free, even though she is sure that the paper fish will be destroyed and that "imaginary things must stay in imaginary places." But amazingly, to the origami master's surprise, the fish becomes real, and a part of something much bigger than Daishinji could ever have imagined, proving that great ideas outgrow their creators and take on lives of their own.

 How the Paper Fish Learned to Swim presents this beautiful and unique fable as a springboard to unlocking creativity and innovation in the workplace. Illustrating the point that what's created on paper, if authentic enough, can never just stay on paper -- it has to go out and be tested in the real world -- the story of Daishinji is followed by thought-provoking commentary that will help you tap into the true creativity of your people.

 This simple yet powerful book gives you an effective process for encouraging and harnessing ideas in your organization. You'll learn to let ideas flourish and take on a life of their own, with helpful tips for:

 * Proactively listening to and developing your people's ideas

* Creating an environment that is receptive to innovative thought

* Nurturing creative collaboration within your team

* Turning ideas into practical applications for your organization

 The book gives you a proven structure to encourage innovation in others, and to discover the wonder of creating something that truly comes to life. Including a true-to-life case study and ten scenarios for applying the Paper Fish Process in business situations, the book is both an enveloping read and a powerful workplace tool. As beautifully illustrated as it is gracefully told, How the Paper Fish Learned to Swim gives you the key to unlocking your greatest resource . . . the minds of your people.

Jonathon A. Flaum is founder and CEO of WriteMind Communications, a consulting firm specializing in public communications skills and organizational creativity. He is also coauthor of The 100-Mile Walk. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.