How to think
How to think
One of the ways coaches help clients is by creating a space in their working week or working month to think through problems and come up with solutions. So how do we do it? Is it enough for us to turn up and the magic just happens? If only!
Here are some tips to help you, and those around you, think more clearly:
1. No limits: During the brainstorming stage make it safe to express ANY idea no matter how stupid, obvious, half-baked or unrealistic. This is not the time to shoot ideas down or think practically about how an idea could work or what might prevent it from working. Just get all the ideas down on paper until no one can think of anything else.
2. Switch places: Instead of seeing a problem from your own perspective, try to see it from a different perspective e.g. the perspective of one of your customers, a family member, your boss, your team, a seven year old. Really imagine you are that person instead and think about how they would solve the problem.
3. Change location: Some environments are not suited to creative thinking. Sitting in front of your desk staring at your computer screen is one of them. It might feel like you're slacking off but taking your thoughts to a coffee shop, an art gallery or a floatation tank could help you get clarity. Some people get their best ideas whilst jogging. Others get their best ideas in their sleep! The same goes for teams - instead of sitting around a table in a conference room trying to be original, hit the streets, walk and talk and see what emerges.
4. No buts: Banning certain words from your discussions can force you to think in different ways. An obvious but effective example is to ban the word "but". Alternatives are banning the words "except that...", "I disagree", "can't", "no" and "sorry". Think about words that get in the way or bring down the energy of the room and ban them!
5. Be contrary: You can do the opposite too! Try being super critical, highly negative, playing devil's advocate. It's a great way to challenge the status quo, to involve people who find it easier to be negative than positive and to shortlist when there are too many "good" solutions.
6. Three more: When you think you are all out of ideas, challenge yourself to come up with three more. Chances are there will be at least one gem amongst your final three. And to think - you would have given up before you thought of it!
7. Go on your gut: Some people have very strong gut feelings but because they aren't always backed up by data they are rejected. Asking everyone to share their gut feel rather than sharing ideas that have been proven can give a new twist to a problem and help you solve it.
8: Make it visual: Get out the felt tip pens. Sometimes it can be easier to draw emotions or concepts than it is to express them. Not everyone will enjoy an exercise like this but some people will find they are more able to express themselves than normal and you will finally get to see what they think.
9. Set a deadline: Put a bit of pressure on the process by setting a limit on thinking time. A meeting that lasts two hours may achieve little more than a meeting that finished after 90 minutes. Alternatively, get people to brainstorm in pairs for 60 seconds and then share their ideas.
10. Know when to let go: There is such a thing as arguing your case. And there's such a thing as clinging on. Being too attached to your own idea may prevent you from hearing the positives of other people's ideas. Get used to the fact that you may need to drop your idea and "go a different" way from time to time.
Mix and match these different techniques to help you and your colleagues think more clearly and effectively.
