In 2010, Personality Poker, published by Portfolio, was selected by 800-CEO-READ as one of the best innovation and creativity books of the year.
That recognition meant a great deal to me. 800-CEO-READ had long been one of the most respected voices in business books, and it has since become Porchlight Book Company.
That is why I am especially honored that Porchlight has published my new ChangeThis manifesto, Is Your Organization Playing with a Full Deck?
This manifesto is the latest evolution of an idea that has been central to my work for decades: organizations do not fail because they lack smart people. They fail because they narrow the range of thinking they allow to flourish.
We naturally gravitate toward people who see the world as we do. We hire people who fit in. We promote people who communicate in familiar ways. We reward the behaviors that have worked in the past.
Over time, though, this creates a dangerous blind spot.
Some organizations become great at execution but lose their ability to experiment. Others become idea factories but struggle to turn anything into action. Some have plenty of data and expertise but too little curiosity, empathy, or willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.
The people who make us uncomfortable are often the people who bring what we are missing.
The manifesto explores why teams need the full range of thinking styles, creative thinkers, analytical thinkers, people-focused thinkers, and action-oriented thinkers. More importantly, it looks at why simply having those people on the payroll is not enough. Leaders need to create an environment where each of those perspectives can actually shape the conversation.
This matters now more than ever.
AI is making information, analysis, ideas, and even prototypes easier to generate. Soon, nearly every organization will have access to similar tools and capabilities. The differentiator will not be who has the best AI. It will be who has the strongest ability to use it well.
That requires people who see different possibilities, question assumptions, understand customers, and make things happen.
In other words, it requires playing with a full deck.
Read “Is Your Organization Playing with a Full Deck?” at Porchlight Book Company.