How Reframing A Problem Unlocks Innovation

Editors’ note: The following is an adapted excerpt of InGenius (Harper One) by Tina Seelig. What is the sum of 5 plus 5?" "What two numbers add up to 10?" The first question has only one right answer, and the second question has an infinite number of solutions, including negative numbers and fractions. Mastering the ability to reframe problems is an important tool for increasing your imagination because it unlocks a vast array of solutions. A classic example of this type of reframing comes from the stunning 1968 documentary film Powers of Ten, written and directed by Ray and Charles Eames. Starting at a picnic by the lakeside in Chicago, this famous film transports us to the outer edges of the universe. This magnificent example reinforces the fact that you can look at every situation in the world from different angles, from close up, from far away, from upside down, and from behind. You can open the frame even farther by asking why I want to get to the other side of the river.

Are You Solving the Right Problem? “If I were given one hour to save the planet, I would spend 59 minutes defining the problem and one minute resolving it,” Albert Einstein said. Those were wise words, but from what I have observed, most organizations don’t heed them when tackling innovation projects. Indeed, when developing new products, processes, or even businesses, most companies aren’t sufficiently rigorous in defining the problems they’re attempting to solve and articulating why those issues are important. Without that rigor, organizations miss opportunities, waste resources, and end up pursuing innovation initiatives that aren’t aligned with their strategies. I offer here a process for defining problems that any organization can employ on its own. Since our launch, more than 10 years ago, we have managed more than 2,000 problems and solved more than half of them—a much higher proportion than most organizations achieve on their own. InnoCentive staffer: “Why do you need the lubricant?”

12 Quiet Rituals of Enormously Successful Humans May your actions speak louder than your words. May your life preach louder than your lips. May your success be your noise in the end. The result of enormous success is often pretty noisy – lots of people talking, writing and sharing stories about it. The actual process of achieving enormous success, on the other hand, is far more discreet. Marc and I are fortunate enough to know a number of enormously successful human beings. Building upon our recent video blog post on success, here are twelve things the most successful people we know do quietly and diligently: 1. Too many books and courses on personal success act like we’re robots, and completely overlook the enormous power of our emotions. But when we wake up and stress is already upon us – phones ringing, emails and texts dinging, fire alarms going off – you spend the whole day reacting, instead of being proactive. Try to have the first hour of your day vary as little as possible. 2. 3. 4. 5. Sure, getting into a routine is great. 6.

The hidden toll of workplace incivility Research shows that hurtful workplace behavior can depress performance, increase employee turnover, and even mar customer relationships. As the workplace becomes faster-paced, more technologically complex, and culturally diverse, civility matters. Among other things, it helps dampen potential tensions and furthers information sharing and team building. Yet workplace incivility is rampant and on the rise. The accumulation of thoughtless actions that leave employees feeling disrespected—intentionally ignored, undermined by colleagues, or publicly belittled by an insensitive manager—can create lasting damage that should worry every organization. Whatever the underlying causes, the costs of incivility rise as employee stress levels increase. Workplace performance. To be sure, the magnitude of the costs and disruptions will depend upon the degree of incivility. Make it clear to employees that they need to hold their managers and colleagues accountable for living up to your norms of civility.