Up and to the Right - A Monthly Essay on Applied Leadership - Issue #3

March 01, 2022

Happy March (but it’s still February in my mind because this is what is supposed to be the Feb edition of the newsletter; the short month caught up to me!) ⏱

In this month’s newsletter, I wanted to talk about innovation but that’s far too large a topic area for this medium so instead I want to talk about one strategy that contributes to innovation: thought experiments as a leadership tactic. 

Let’s dive right in! 🤿

What is a thought experiment?

Thought experiments are the intentional creation of entirely new or different worlds than the one in which we are currently operating. 

You may think of it as out-of-the-box thinking, creative problem solving, even innovation.

Thought experiments have been used by inventors, scientists, business leaders, and politicians. They are a very helpful tool in any innovative person's tool box and they can even help address “routine” or “mundane” challenges in creative ways.

Here’s the tricky thing about thought experiments, by their very nature, they reject formulas. Which is why this was such a bold topic for me to choose for this month’s (last months 🕰) newsletter topic. There may not be any formula for thought experiments but there is a critical precondition that we can cultivate to increase the likelihood of successful thought experiments.

Thought experiments as a leadership tool

As a leader, we want to encourage thought experiments among our team to increase creativity and innovation as well as to maximize the potential of our teammates, and increase their satisfaction and engagement levels simultaneously.

We all want to do interesting work that allows us to grow, to push our boundaries, and to achieve big success.

So what is the magic precondition to successful thought experiments? Curiosity. I know, I know - you expected something less ordinary but hear me out.

You might be “doing curiosity” wrong. Shitty Typical brainstorming approaches generally produce incremental (at best) improvements. Worse, we often wait until something is going poorly to start the process of brainstorming or “creative solutioning”.

Instead, build a culture of fierce and continued curiosity. Expect nothing less and actively reward for genuine curiosity.

Since this is Up and to the Right, we can’t just talk about this conceptually. Here’s this month’s tool kit. A set of tactical recommendations for cultivating the type of curiosity that powers innovation by using thought experiments such as:

  1. Take your most successful product/program/service and break it - deconstruct it by making the worst decisions you can make about it (all in theory of course) to better understand what makes it work as well as it does and what the risks are to its continued success.

  2. Ask “who is our customer/client/stakeholder going to be in 10 years?” Build out a profile and think about the value you will provide them.

  3. Build the company/product/service that puts you out of business (theoretically, of course and then in reality if you can).

  4. Take a product/idea/company from a totally different space than yours and try to borrow a component of design/marketing/production or something else and apply it to your work (i.e. what can a clothing designer learn from a computer coder? what can a consultant learn from an art curator?)

  5. Take one or more core assumptions you are operating under and challenge them. Dedicate energy and resources to proving the assumption(s) wrong. You may find out the assumption is correct but the process will provide insights and an opportunity for thought experiments that may end up having derivative benefit.

One last tactical thought here: Create whitespace for yourself and others, if you can. This is time when you are not tasked every minute of the day but may even be dangerously close to boredom. Boredom is a psychological state conducive to creativity. 🔥

More on curiosity and thought experimentation?

I've got you covered. Give these a try:

It takes more than good tools. It takes a complete change of attitude.

Read reviews from the world’s largest community

for readers. undefined

Be bold, and start asking questions.

Your teams are bursting with untapped ideas but need the tools—and the authority—to help drive continuous innovation, says this digital optimization CEO.

Research shows that it leads to higher-performing, more-adaptable firms.

Worried that you’re not naturally curious? Here’s how you can develop the habit of learning.

Bonus Content: Better Brainstorming Structure

Before I wrap up this week, I thought I’d share one set-up I’ve used in the past to have a better brainstorming sessions (ya know, since I kind of slammed them earlier? 😀).

Give this a try if your brainstorming sessions are falling flat:

Articulate a broad challenge or opportunity statement and have it visible to all involved.

Allow 10 minutes of quiet, individual writing for each participant - free-form, no judgment - just write ideas that address the opportunity or challenge.

First round is one person after another offering one idea and capturing that for all to see.

Second round is structured small group discussions of each of the offered ideas (assuming a manageably sized group) asking/answering the following questions:

  • What do you not like about this idea?

  • Why would the idea work?

  • Why wouldn’t the idea work?

  • What other idea does this spark?

Third round is a report-out with discussion. What do you like about this idea?

Note: do not move beyond this round in the same sitting. Keep it to conceptual ideas only with minimal vetting. Collect all ideas and input and then schedule a separate meeting to discuss what, if any, have merit and are worthy of next step inquiry.

Well that’s it for February (ok, ok, March) but I’ll be back in your inboxes later this month with another leadership skill break-down so see you soon! 👋

Oh and don’t forget - if you find this useful, reply and let me know or consider sharing it with someone in your network (it’s easy to do! see how in the footer) or maybe even shouting it out on social.

And don’t forget to tag me @eduversequeen if you hang around on Twitter. https://twitter.come/eduversequeen