Personality Poker®

When looking for solutions to your problems, it seems logical to turn to best practices for answers. But what if best practices are stupid? What if they are not the key to innovation or problem-solving and may lead you down the wrong path? In this episode, we explore three reasons why best practices may be a bad idea: Replication is not innovation - copying someone else will not help you different...

In today's episode, we explore how concepts from linguistics can impact innovation. In particular, we dive into the distinction between surface structure and deep structure . Understanding these concepts will help you be better at strategic alignment , innovation , and problem-solving . We first define surface structure (the words used to convey a meaning) and deep structure (the actual meaning). ...

In this episode, we first explore a myth of productivity. Although most organizations are busier than ever and they want to " do more with less ," this is often the opposite of what is effective. Instead you want to " do less, get more ." Focus on the leverage points of your business and you will get greater productivity. This is an example of #1: LEVERAGE - what's the one activity that will gener...

In today's episode, we explore how changing just one word in a  problem statement can unleash an entirely new range of possible solutions - including new business models. We explore 3 lenses in particular: #15: SUBSTITUTE - change a word, including but not limited to synonyms. #10: HYPERNYM - use a word that is less specific (more abstract) #5: HYPONYM - use a word that is more specific (more deta...

Today's episode is about a topic that is one of my favorites.  During the pandemic, everyone keeps asking me, "How are you going to pivot your business?"  My response is, "I'm not. I'm going to DIVOT." What does it mean to divot? It means to go deeper into what you already do. Instead of changing direction, give customers a more substantial version of what you already offer. I think you will find...

What if a great way to find better solutions is to look for terrible ideas? This is lens #20 from Invisible Solutions. In this episode, I share several examples of how seemingly bad ideas become great ideas. For example, you will learn how firing all of the safety inspectors led to higher safety levels. Also, I use the lenses to solve the problem: How can we provide 24/7 support globally to our cu...

Everyone loves brainstorming. Right? Unfortunately, the way most teams run their sessions is ineffective and inefficient.  But what if there is a better way?  In today's episode, I explore the 5 problems associated with traditional brainstorming. For each, I give you a better way that will help improve every session. Doing this will move them stupid to stupendous. The 5 problems with brainstorming...

In Episode 9, I briefly talked about differentiation and why it is an important part of innovation. In this episode we do an even deeper dive into the topic. And in particular I share my Innovation Targeting Matrix. The premise is that there are three levels of activities/opportunities - and they aren't all equal. When you better understand how to prioritize your innovation investments, you will g...

In today's episode we explore one of the lenses from Invisible Solutions: #19 PAIN VS GAIN. We often hear the expression “Build it and they will come.” With innovation, a more accurate statement is “Eliminate a pain and they will come.”  2020 was a year of crises and innovation. Challenges and opportunities. Last year we saw the rapid adoption of new virtual technologies during the pandemic. We sa...

Today we start by answering the question, "What if trying to innovate everywhere can negatively impact your innovation effort?" The key is to innovate where you differentiate. Not all opportunities are equal. Therefore you want to invest in the areas that help you stand out from the competition. And then we tackle a "listener" submitted question: "How can Santa more effectively deliver all of his...

In this episode, I explore why some people are luckier than others - and how you can create luck. Contrary to what some experts say, luck is not just about hard work. It requires something else. I share a probabilistic model that explains why focusing on specific outcomes reduces the  likelihood of success. I then share how you can increase your creativity and luck through a very simple technique...

What if loving your ideas can lead to failure? I first address this question and why confirmation bias and positive test strategy can destroy your innovation efforts. Then I have on my first guest, Jack Elkins, the former Director of Innovation for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He and I discuss the question: How can we help organizations solve their own problems in a collabo...

In this episode we discuss the Performance Paradox (Lens #18 in Invisible Solutions) and Goal-Free Living . The Performance Paradox is based on the perspective that the more you focus on a goal, the less likely you are to achieve that goal. This lens is based on an earlier book of mine called, Goal-Free Living . It is not about living without goals, but rather changing your relationship to goals....

Sometimes changing just one word in a problem statement can fundamentally change the range of solutions you see. We often don't give enough thought to the language we use when problem-solving. Also, we will use the lenses to reframe a listener submitted problem: How can an association executive help transform a risk-averse board into one that embraces innovation?  Although this the question is spe...

In this episode, we start by exploring why expertise is the enemy of innovation. The more you know about a topic the harder it is to think differently. But not all is lost. You can leverage your expertise to generate breakthrough solutions. We then put the question: "How can I increase podcast downloads?" through the 25 lenses. I think you'll find the reframes quite interesting as they can lead to...

We often hear the expression, "Think outside the box" as shorthand for innovation. But what if this can have a negative impact? And in today's episode, I tackle a problem that was submitted to my by one of the listeners. They work for a direct marketing organization and want to expand their sales force. The question they asked me to solve: "How can we friendly people to work with us?" To get the l...

One of the questions I am asked most is "How can we replicate the in-person experience virtually?" To solve this problem, we used a number of the lenses from Invisible Solutions. To get the lenses go to www. GetTheLenses.com In addition, we explore the Goldilocks Principle - sometimes we ask questions that are too soft (broad) and sometimes we ask them too hard (specific). Our goal is to ask quest...

In this episode we explore why focusing on solutions paradoxically negatively impacts your ability to find solutions. And we tackle an airport challenge: "How can we speed up the bags?" To get the lenses we use in the show, go to www. GetTheLenses.com To watch an animated version of the baggage claim story,  go to www. BaggageClaimStory.com The lenses highlighted in this episode: #16 FLIP, #15 SUB...