Q. I work as a programmer. In this upcoming year, my department has been asked to assume some creative responsibilities. Many of my co-workers have been programmers for years and have not had to work creatively. In the past we have always had conflict with the creative department, they always had these ideas that never worked practically. How can we establish a creative atmosphere where good ideas are encouraged and not cut down at their first fault?

A. The human brain can be described as consisting of two sides. One part is for uninhibited creative thinking and the other for analytical or judicial thinking. Your department is well practiced in the analytical and judicial way of thinking. Here are some simple tips that will help your department break away from judicial thinking.