Another way to express the two flows you describe is Divergence and Convergence. You are so right that you can’t do both at the same time, or at least not well. I would add to your Destruction list the idea of Affirmative Judgment. Skepticism is fine, but what often happens with it is that you throw the baby out with the bathwater. I think it’s important to look at What Works in an idea first, and try to fix what doesn’t. A skeptic would not see the solution inside an imperfect idea. Creativity requires that we stay open to that which is unusual or very different, or else we find ourselves right back in the box!

I like that you are broadening what creativity is usually thought of. Like you, I think it is useful in decision making and solution finding around any complex challenge.

regards,
Gregg Fraley
author of Jack’s Notebook, a novel of creative problem solving