Part 2: Unleashing Creativity with LIMA

Behavioral geeks rejoice – Part 2 of the LIMA post is finally here!   

In Part 1, we talked about the first three layers of the LIMA pyramid: health & nutrition, environmental design, and positive reinforcement. Now, in the long-awaited follow-up, we will highlight the top 3 layers: differential reinforcement, negative punishment and extinction, and the dreaded positive punishment.

In the dynamic world of creative innovation, embracing LIMA (Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive) principles from behaviorism, can revolutionize how groups ideate and innovate together. Let's dive into how the top three layers of the LIMA pyramid can create more psychological safety, to ignite creative sparks.

Differential Reinforcement: In Part 1 we talked about positive (adding something) reinforcement (so the behavior repeats). Adding a treat to Rover’s mouth increases the likelihood that he will sit. Differential reinforcement rewards certain behaviors more frequently, and more valuably, than others. If Rover sits at home, 1 little kibble…but if he sits in a busy dog park, he gets an entire Milkbone. Differential reinforcement is how dog trainers get inspiring results, shaping complex behavior chains by creating a structured flow of rewards. 

In ideation, diversity of thought is a powerful catalyst. Our facilitators are trained to positively reinforce ideas from varied perspectives. Yet they also differentially reward novel and unconventional ideas, to motivate boundary-breaking. By celebrating the uniqueness of each contribution, and “jackpotting” the breakthroughs, we foster an environment of cognitive restructuring, unwinding the limitations people feel about their own creativity.

Negative Punishment & Extinction: Some people say positive-reinforcement dog trainers “only say yes and never say no.”  Unfortunately, it’s because they often don’t understand how “no” can be delivered differently. The effect we’re aiming for is the same – establishing a boundary around unwanted behavior. But the approach to creating that boundary can be Least Intrusive, Minimally Invasive.

In behaviorism, negative means something is removed. Put a treat back in the pocket instead of in the mouth. Take away a toy. Mom or dad leave the room. Punishment is anything that is likely to reduce a behavior from recurring.

In everyday language, “negative punishment” sounds like it would be a pretty bad thing. But in behaviorism, it’s actually not so scary after all.

Extinction – ok I admit, that one sounds even worse. But to behaviorists, the word is much closer to “fire extinguisher” than the comet that killed the dinosaurs. Extinguishing an unwanted behavior – the process is called extinction. Rover begs at the table…no reinforcement received…the behavior begins to extinguish, until it is eventually extinct.

In a workshop, we can artfully use negative punishment and extinction to create psychological safety with the team. Think of the behaviors we don’t want: interrupting others, dismissing others’ ideas, jumping straight into critique without any acknowledgement of the merits of an idea, dominators taking over all the air-time. LIMA would call us to gently establish a boundary around these behaviors.

People crave affirmation – and we build our whole approach around using affirmation intentionally as positive reinforcement. What’s the opposite of affirmation? It could be something as explicit as saying “no,” or even subtle non-verbal cues such as a frown or eye-roll. These opposites-of-affirmation, we consider positive punishment. And we never want positive punishment to become a learned cultural norm in our workshops. Even if it might unfortunately be an existing cultural norm in our client’s company at large.

So how do we create a boundary around unwanted behavior, without using positive punishments like saying “no?” To be fair, it’s not easy to do it well. But we can also withhold affirmation just as intentionally as we give it. Just like not feeding Rover at the table, learning happens equally from a reinforcement not-received. In other words, “I tried this, but it didn’t work…I guess I won’t try that again.”  This is extinction, and we use it subtly, gently, to remove unwanted behavior.

We can also take away rewards; negative punishment. Here’s a corny example. It’s Halloween-time. In our workshop, we give each participant a small bowl of candy corn, which they can munch on whenever they crave a little sugar. However, if they interrupt someone, the facilitator quietly takes away the bowl (negative punishment – removing something to decrease a behavior). Later, when they give an affirmation, the facilitator gives the candy back (positive reinforcement – adding something that increases the behavior).

To be fair, this is a very corny example. Not only because of the sugary treat in question, but also because the mechanics are ham-handed. The facilitator would have to get up, walk over, and take away the bowl….All of this nonverbal communication would be quite disruptive, and could be seen as positive punishment. But, despite the corniness, the moral of the story is the same – take away a reward (negative punishment), and it helps extinguish unwanted behavior. Replace the reward (positive reinforcement), and it helps reinforce the good behavior. The two go hand in hand, and need to be delivered skillfully on a minute-by-minute basis.

Positive Punishment: This one is easy. Just say no to positive (adding something) punishment (that reduces the behavior). Shock collars, leash jerks, scolding, striking, grabbing the scruff. None of this is OK with a dog – and none of the equivalents are OK in a workshop.

Yet unfortunately, people positively punish each other at work constantly. In my viewpoint it’s the worst thing about traditional brainstorms, but sadly it happens every minute of every day in every company in the world. It’s a learned behavior – from the playground to the dinner table to the office environment. It can be un-learned.

We intensively train our facilitators to use the 5 bottom layers of the pyramid to extinguish the behaviors of positive punishment: 

1.        We do everything we can to make sure our participants are healthy mentally & physically.

2.        We create an environment without intensity, competition, hierarchy, and other triggers that can lead people to anxiety or defensiveness, all of which directly cause bad-brainstorming behavior.

3.        We positively reinforce the behaviors that underpin passionate, compassionate collaboration: rich, constructive debate, grounded in affirmation, grace, forgiveness, humility and laughter.

4.        We differentially reinforce novel ideas and creative breakthroughs.

5.        We negatively punish and extinguish behaviors that undermine the environment of psychological safety that leads to innovation. Especially positive punishment.

LIMA is more than just a bean. Bringing these principles into group ideation sessions transforms them into vibrant incubators of creativity. By fostering diversity, eliminating triggers, and embracing a culture of positive reinforcement, teams can break through their own preconceived notions to unlock their full creative potential. So, gather your tribe, harness the power of LIMA, and embark on a journey of innovation. Together, there's no limit to what we can create.