Key components in the dream stage are courage, innovation, openness, no limits on thoughts, freedom from routine and acceptance. Remember: good ideation creates the innovation potential that the rest of the Design Thinking process makes actionable.

Fostering a creative innovation culture, where all employees feel comfortable in sharing new ideas, begins with changing the mind set of 'business as usual'.

Creativity can solve almost
any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality overcomes everything.
– George Lois

Design thinking: Step 2 – Dream

Design approach = Generate as many ideas as possible.
Business innovation = Brainstorm and write down hypotheses; dream up your optimal, best-case-ever outcomes to a challenge; set aside constraints and fears to loosen up creativity.

This is the “blue sky” or "let the red balloon go" phase of problem solving. With no constraints, boundaries or limitations.

DT = DEFINE  +  DREAM  +  DESIGN  +  DELIVER

Creating alternatives is not just about verifying an idea you like, its about finding one that’s better, more appropriate, more interesting, or that leads to something better. Most of all, its about letting go. Let go of preconceived notions and be receptive. Creativity allows us to think outside the box, around the box and through the box in an imaginative and free flowing manner. Be prepared to let go of any past mindsets that may have led you to believe that one particular form, or approach is the only way to go.

Design thinking requires that no matter how obvious the solution may seem, many solutions be created for consideration. And created in a way that allows them to be judged equally as possible answers.

Being a designer for 25 years, I rely on my experience and training to start the process. You must consistently communicate (talk the talk) and support through action (walk the talk) the behaviours of breakthrough innovative problem-solving and thinking.