Relaxation techniques you may be missing
There are six different kinds of rest beyond sleep, if you don't take care to get more than physical rest, it may be why you're exhausted. ...
Brain circuits
Learn the five principles required for innovative thinking
Leaders across all industries are struggling to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to innovation, and in the era of digital transformation where traditional business models are quickly becoming obsolete, it can be hard to know where to channel your energy. Through exhaustive research, we have identified the core principles that can help executives change their mindsets and foster positive innovation for themselves and their teams.
The framework dubbed ALIEN Thinking illustrates the five key patterns of thinking that distinguish innovators. This framework can be applied in your quest to become more creative and innovative.
The Core Principles of ALIEN Thinking
Attention: Focusing on a particular context or population to understand its dynamics and latent needs. This requires the ability to look beyond your normal point of view and assess whether you are seeing the whole picture. You naturally gravitate toward ideas that fit with what you already believe to be important, but the ALIEN framework teaches you to expand the scope of our attention to see the larger reality.
Levitation: Stepping back to reflect on the situation and make sense of it. This is often overlooked, but a relaxed brain can engage in more freewheeling thinking.
Imagination: Envisioning that which does not yet exist and generating avant-garde ideas, often through playfulness.
Experimentation: Turning a promising idea into a workable solution that addresses a real need. The aim of testing is to improve, not just to prove.
Navigation: Adjusting to the forces that can make or break your solution. You must consider all stakeholders as you move our ideas forward by becoming a “diplomatic rebel” to ensure buy-in of people who might be skeptical.
One of the key findings of our research is that people can successfully learn this type of thinking. Using the right tools, anyone can train themselves to think like an innovator. If you would like to know more, the book is out now: ALIEN Thinking: The Unconventional Path to Breakthrough Ideas,
Authors
Related
Five questions that can help you find the partners you need
Learning to collaborate outside your organization can seem daunting, but it is necessary to survival and innovation in today's world....
Five questions leaders should be asking to prepare for the future
Leaders, especially those in human resources, need to consider where they are going to find the skills for the next big transition....
Is your company ready for the next crisis?
Grey rhinos are events that are around us, but we may not notice. It is important for leaders to see them before they become crises....
Learn Brain Circuits
Join us for daily exercises focusing on issues from team building to developing an actionable sustainability plan to personal development. Go on - they only take five minutes.
Explore Leadership
What makes a great leader? Do you need charisma? How do you inspire your team? Our experts offer actionable insights through first-person narratives, behind-the-scenes interviews and The Help Desk.
Join Membership
Log in here to join in the conversation with the I by IMD community. Your subscription grants you access to the quarterly magazine plus daily articles, videos, podcasts and learning exercises.