The Disney Method: Unleashing Creativity with Walt Disney’s Thinking Strategy

Walt Disney war nicht nur ein Visionär und Meister der Animation, sondern auch ein brillanter Stratege, wenn es um kreatives Denken ging. Um seine Ideen zum Leben zu erwecken, entwickelte er eine Methode, die es ihm ermöglichte, verschiedene Perspektiven einzunehmen und so eine innovative Lösung für jedes Problem zu finden.

Walt Disney was not only a visionary and master of animation but also a brilliant strategist when it came to creative thinking. To bring his ideas to life, he developed a method that allowed him to adopt different perspectives and find innovative solutions to any problem. This approach is now known as the Disney Method, and it is used in various fields to optimize creative processes.

The Disney Method is based on three distinct roles: the Dreamer, the Realist, and the Critic. Each of these roles represents a specific way of thinking, which is followed step by step. The goal is to develop, evaluate, and refine ideas by looking at them from different viewpoints. Let’s take a closer look at these three roles:

The Three Roles of the Disney Method:

1. The Dreamer In this phase, all limits are removed. The focus is on thinking big without any restrictions. Creativity knows no boundaries, and there is no such thing as "too unrealistic." The Dreamer comes up with the wildest and most unconventional ideas without worrying whether they are feasible or practical.

2. The Realist After the Dreamer has let their imagination run free, the Realist takes over. This role examines how the Dreamer’s ideas can be turned into reality. It’s about finding practical steps and paths to make the vision come true. The Realist asks questions like: "How much will it cost?", "How do we technically implement it?", and "What resources do we need?"

3. The Critic In this phase, the idea is examined critically. The Critic analyzes weaknesses, challenges, and risks. Their goal is not to destroy the idea but to optimize it and uncover any flaws before implementation begins. Potential obstacles are identified, and solutions are discussed.

The Process of the Disney Method:

The Disney Method follows a structured process in which the team deliberately switches between the three roles. First, they start in the Dreamer role, generating ideas without limitations. Then, the team moves into the Realist role to find actionable ways to implement these ideas. Finally, the Critic steps in to challenge and improve the proposals. This process can be repeated multiple times until the idea is fully developed.

Example: The Disney Method in Action

Let’s say a company wants to develop a new app to help people live more sustainably.

1. Dreamer Phase:The team begins with the Dreamer role. One member suggests creating an app that not only measures a user’s carbon footprint in real-time but also suggests alternative, sustainable lifestyles and rewards users through gamification—for example, by growing virtual trees that can become real ones.

2. Realist Phase:Now the team moves into the Realist role. They consider that while it’s technically possible to calculate a carbon footprint, it would be complex to account for all factors (like diet, travel, and energy use). Perhaps the app could start with smaller features, such as analyzing electricity consumption. Partnering with environmental organizations might help turn the virtual trees into real ones.

3. Critic Phase:The Critic notes that collecting enough user data for accurate calculations could be difficult and that users might have privacy concerns. They also question whether the app provides enough value to remain engaging over time and whether the tree-planting system is feasible.

After the critique, the team returns to the Dreamer role, adjusts the idea, and goes through the process again.

Conclusion:

The Disney Method is a powerful technique that connects creativity with structure. It encourages the development of innovative ideas while ensuring that they are also feasible in practice. It’s especially effective when teams include different personalities who can play to their strengths in each phase. Walt Disney’s approach shows that great ideas emerge when you not only dream but also critically reflect and plan realistically.