Gustav Pistorius

Creative Solution Finding

My Journey through the Woods

This session draws on my 35 years of real-world experience navigating both the smooth paths and the inevitable obstacles of creative work. It explores the evolution from traditional Creative Problem Solving (CPS) to a more practical and outcome-focused approach: Creative Solution Finding (CSF).

You’ll gain insight into a proven personal toolbox, how it is applied in practice, and how to use it effectively in modern contexts. Through practical examples, the session brings these ideas to life, showing how to move from challenge to solution with clarity and confidence.

By the end of this session, you will:

  • Understand how to apply Creative Solution Finding (CSF) in fast-paced business environments
  • Become familiar with a practical and adaptable CSF toolbox
  • Know which tools to use in different situations
  • Learn how to approach innovation through a solution-focused mindset
  • Gain perspectives on developing future-ready thinking skills, both for yourself and for younger generations

Key Takeaways

  • Practical ways to apply CSF in everyday meetings and decision-making
  • How to integrate CSF with AI to enhance thinking and outcomes
  • Simple but powerful critical thinking tools you can use personally and share with others, including your children

Gustav’s Bio

Gustav brings over 48 years of diverse experience, with qualifications in science, mechanical and industrial engineering, business leadership, and a doctorate in Business Improvement. He is a Fellow of IRMSA and a registered Professional Engineer with ECSA.

His career began in the mining sector across Germany and South Africa, where he worked in mechanical and industrial engineering before moving into leading special projects focused on productivity, performance, and cultural transformation.

Beyond his professional work, Gustav has shown a strong commitment to community development. He founded an entrepreneurship trust and introduced creative problem-solving programmes in schools in the Greater Phalaborwa area. His work has included collaboration with internationally recognised experts and participation in the Creative Problem Solving Institute (CPSI) at Buffalo University in the USA, where he later earned his doctorate.

Gustav has facilitated solution-finding initiatives for major organisations such as Debswana, Foskor, National Treasury, the Department of Health, and the Auditor General. He has designed Enterprise Risk Management frameworks that have been adopted as benchmarks internationally, including by the Nigerian Pension Fund Commission. He also contributed to South Africa’s Government Infrastructure Delivery Management System and has lectured in Risk Management at UNISA and the University of Johannesburg.

Outside of his professional life, Gustav has dedicated over five decades to Okinawan Goju Ryu Karate. He also serves as a church elder and a trustee of the Foskor Pension Fund. In his personal time, he enjoys photography, woodworking, and music.

Gustav’s Links