Apple encouraged us to “Think Differently,” Albert Einstein warned us over 60 years ago that “we cannot solve our current problems with the same level of thinking that created them.”
So how do we elevate our thinking? How can we push further? I find the subject of “thinking” extremely interesting.
I recently read an article by the Harvard Business Review, which focused on how to go about thinking deeply about complex problems. In this video, I share some of my key takeaways below.
3 Areas of Caution:
- Leaders need to avoid defaulting to binary thinking of “Either/Or” logic… Good/Bad, Right/Wrong Black/White. Binary thinking has built-in limitations, resulting in us only perceiving the challenge as one-dimensional… this tendency to rely too heavily on one-dimensional solutions can create additional problems.
- We tend to feel safer with solutions that fit our current understanding, especially as the challenge/problems gain complexity. Our own Confirmation Bias further impedes us; when faced with complex and uncertain, we look for the familiar to align with our assumptions, which helps us feel safer but prevents us from seeing a more nuanced vision of the possible.
- Be mindful of the Emotional Arc you are experiencing. Embracing Complexity/Uncertainty is not only a Mental Challenge but also an Emotional Challenge. We need to take steps to manage negative emotions such as Fear/Frustration. As negative emotions begin to climb, fight or flight kicks-in and our mental capacity is drawn down to just the essentials, and our vision literally begins to narrow. We become less reflective and more reactive. Indeed a state of being not well suited for Innovation. Responding via our emotions greatly diminishes our capacity for breakthroughs.
2 Positive Action Steps:
- Leaders should foster a team culture that strives to See + Question more:
- To do this, look to Deepen/Widen/Lengthen the team’s perspectives.
2. Be Mindful To Challenge/Break Free of our Assumptions. Here are (2) powerful questions to always ask:
- What am I not seeing?
- What else might be true/possible?
The 2 Most Important Must-Haves:
- Be Humble:
- Which is critical for us to be open to multiple and differing perspectives
- Have Courage:
- To “Embrace the Squiggle” when faced with the forces of Complexity/Uncertainty.
- Courage to not only rely on “what is known” or current best practices, but to go deeper… to truly understand the challenge and design a solution that truly meets the need.
- Courage to bring forth a prototype idea/solution, face criticism, failure and still press on to refine and develop it further.
With Complex Challenges… there is no recipe, only ART. | Adapted from Zafar Achi, Leadership Consultant.
