Independent thinkers are highly valuable to both organizations and society. Breakthroughs in technology, new business models, and game-changing strategies don’t originate from conventional thinking. They originate from fresh and unconventional thinking. Thinking independently is crucial in today’s world where information is abundant and opinions are rampant.
Tag Archives: Creativity
7 Ways To Practice Unreasonable Hospitality
Investing in developing a unique customer experience is one of the most powerful strategies a business leader can use, and customer service is at the core of this. I recently read Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect by Will Guidara. The book delves into the philosophy and practice of going above and beyond in customer service. The book draws on Guidara’s extensive experience in the hospitality industry, particularly his time at Eleven Madison Park, a renowned restaurant in New York City.
How To Create a Growth Obsessed Culture
Quick question: Does your employer value your personal development over short-term metrics? I’m sure your answer is no. That’s because most organizations are performance-obsessed, they prioritize short-term results.
The Creativity Conundrum: How Controlling Leaders Stifle Innovation
In the dynamic landscape of modern business, creativity is often heralded as the linchpin of innovation and progress. It’s the magical ingredient that differentiates the ordinary from the extraordinary, leading to breakthrough products, services, and strategies. However, not all organizational cultures foster this vital component. At the heart of such stifling environments, more often than not, lie controlling leaders.
The Double-Edged Sword: How Compromise Can Stifle Innovation
In the bustling hallways of business, a commonly heard word is “compromise.” Heralded as a necessary tool for successful collaboration, it’s often the bridge that connects differing opinions, resolving conflicts and smoothing out rough patches. But while compromise has its merits, particularly in team dynamics, it can cast a long and ominous shadow on the sacred ground of innovation.
12 Methods for Overcoming the Illusion of Expertise to Drive Innovation
In my last post, I wrote about how experience, expertise, is an enemy of innovation. The illusion of expertise, where years of experience create a mental roadblock to new ideas, can significantly hamper innovation. It doesn’t just apply to people but to groups; called groupthink, which is expert thinking on steroids!
Why Experience Can Be the Enemy of Innovation
“How come we’ve never heard of you? Everyone who works here has been in the industry for at least 25 years.” I was told this earlier this year by a VP of a company I consulted for. I sensed some hostility from his comment. Of course, I was brought in to help shake things up precisely because this company has been doing business the same way they’ve always done it.