An Interview with the Writer of TV’s “Monk”: What Innovators Can Learn from Mysteries
I’ve always found that innovation and mysteries have a lot in common. They both involve solving complex problems, and sometimes making the impossible possible. This is why I primarily read and watch mysteries during my spare time. They force me question my thinking in order to see the clues. One of my all-time favorite television […]
People Don’t Want Creativity
People don’t want creativity. They may say they do, but there is a strong anti-creativity bias in most organizations. And unfortunately this bias happens at an subconscious level. This video shares some interesting findings from a study by Cornell University (my alma mater) – and the implications. Note that the video talks about “newness.” In […]
Are There Any New Ideas?
My most recent Inc. article has been popular and controversial. The premise is that there are no new ideas. (if you haven’t read it, please do so before reading on…) This got me thinking back to when I was pitching a TV show. My agent said that Hollywood doesn’t want you to think OUTSIDE the box, […]
You Don’t Know Your Customers
Just because you KNEW your industry and customers, doesn’t mean you KNOW them. Our past experiences can limit our ability to see new opportunities. According to the World Economic Forum, complex problem-solving is the most important soft skill companies and individuals need right now. I would argue that complex problem-formulation is what is needed. The […]
Good To Gone
Your past success can lead to future failure. If you are focused on opportunities based on your past experience, you may be solving irrelevant problems. This segment is called “Good to Gone” as we discuss some of the companies that were once the largest in their industry, but they are now gone or on life […]
Don’t Think Outside the Box, Find a Better Box
Today’s videobook installment moves us down the path of reframing problems a better way. We often hear the expression, “think outside the box.” But what if the key to better innovation and problem-solving is “finding a better box?” It’s not the expansiveness of your thinking that limits your range of solutions. You are often just […]
Avoid Overly Specific Questions
Previously I discussed why we don’t want to ask questions that are overly abstract/broad. Today we explore why the opposite – asking questions that are too specific – can also lead to less than stellar solutions. The example in today’s video is one of my favorites: The Exxon Valdez tanker spill. For nearly 2 decades […]
There’s Nothing New
I love this quote so much that I included it at the very beginning of my Invisible Solutions book. “There is no such thing as a new idea. It is impossible. We simply take a lot of old ideas and put them into a sort of mental kaleidoscope. We give them a turn and they […]
Asking Better Questions (videobook)
Today we get into the meat of the Invisible Solutions book. Chapter 1 starts with my baggage claim story. Here it is, exactly how it appears in the book. Enjoy! P.S. If you missed the introduction, you can watch it here.
The Introduction to Invisible Solutions
Today I share with you the introduction to my latest book, Invisible Solutions: 25 Lenses that Frame and Help Solve Difficult Business Problems. But instead of sharing a boring PDF, here is the videobook version – broken into three parts. The videobook is the unabridged reading of the book with cool graphics and animations. I will be […]