Skip to content
Self-development: paths to personal growth. — Careers

Revamping Your Thought Process: 4 Strategies to Outsmart the Algorithms

In an unprecedented turn of events, modern times have granted us the ability to be simultaneously knowledgeable and ignorant.

,   and  Administrator
4 min read
Protecting faith from swaying influences, hands shield the inscribed belief. Bias, a concept, often...
Protecting faith from swaying influences, hands shield the inscribed belief. Bias, a concept, often presents obstacles, attempting to etch its fact upon the inscription.

Revamping Your Thought Process: 4 Strategies to Outsmart the Algorithms

In today's information-overloaded world, it's paradoxical to be more educated yet less informed due to our engagement in biased content and algorithm-driven consumption. This lack of exposure to diverse viewpoints hampers creativity, narrows our vision, and often results in exclusive and narrow-minded futures. How can we counteract this predicament and promote innovation in a chaotic environment?

I had a chat with Rohit Bhargava, co-author of the book "Non-Obvious Thinking" with Ben duPont, to delve into this issue. Bhargava pinpoints a significant flaw in our consumption habits: our inclination to engage strictly with ideas that reinforce our beliefs, fueled by algorithms that serve us a monotonous diet of information. This pattern stifles creativity, restricts our vision of the future, and frequently the outcomes lack inclusivity and open-mindedness.

To cultivate a non-obvious perspective that can flourish in this noisy atmosphere, Bhargava and duPont propose a structured method called SIFT (Space, Insight, Focus, Twist).

Embracing the Power of SIFT

1. CREATE SPACE

The foundation of non-obvious thinking is establishing mental and physical space for new ideas and fostering diverse thought. Overcoming overwhelm is vital to nurturing an unbiased mindset.

2. FIND INSIGHT

Using the space you've created, enhance your observation skills to interpret the world around you and consume media thoughtfully. By carefully observing and interpreting information, you can extract meaning and gain fresh insights.

3. FOCUS ON WHAT MATTERS

Challenge yourself to hone your insights and concentrate on the essentials. Employ techniques to filter out the noise, enabling you to distinguish the signal.

4. DEFINE THE TWIST

Combining all the pieces, the final step is to develop an unusual perspective or concept known as a twist. A twist is where innovation truly shines, as it leads to the creation of unique solutions otherwise undiscovered.

A Bold Challenge: The "Opposite" Exercise

To unlock new perspectives and foster empathy, Bhargava suggests challenging our beliefs through an uncomplicated yet powerful exercise. Ponder, "What if the opposite of what I believe were true?" Applying this challenge to daily decision-making can lead to empowering strategies and solutions that expose hidden opportunities.

In an era of division and narrow-mindedness, non-obvious thinking not only broadens our understanding of various perspectives but also acts as a blueprint for crafting a more imaginative and inclusive future. The SHIFT method, with its clear-cut steps, functions as a gateway to becoming a non-obvious thinker.

Kevin Kruse, the founder of LEADx, emphasizes the value of promoting and preserving strong leadership behavior by employing behavioral nudges, micro-learning, and live cohort-based workshops. In addition to his LEADx responsibilities, Kruse is also a New York Times bestselling author with titles like "Great Leaders Have No Rules," "15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management," and "Employee Engagement 2.0."

Title: Unleashing the Power of Creativity with Rohit Bhargava

Enrichment Data:

To foster non-obvious thinking and become more innovative and inclusive in a noisy and confusing world, you can adopt Rohit Bhargava's SIFT method and the "opposite" exercise. Here's how you can apply these methods:

Employing Rohit Bhargava's SIFT Method

Rohit Bhargava's SIFT framework serves as a structured tool for leaders and organizations, helping them uncover new ideas and navigate challenges creatively.

  1. Space: Expand your perspective by considering unique contexts and viewpoints, transcending conventional boundaries for fresh ideas.
  2. Insight: Gain a thorough understanding and insights into the problem or opportunity through data, trends, and customer needs.
  3. Focus: Refine and narrow the generated ideas, identifies the finest ones, and enhance them through analysis and evaluation.
  4. Twist: Add creativity and novelty to your ideas, pushing beyond the ordinary for more uncommon, imaginative solutions.

The Power of the "Opposite" Exercise

The "opposite" exercise is an alternative tactic for fostering non-obvious thinking. Here's how you can implement it:

  1. Identify a Problem: Begin by pinpointing a problem or challenge you're dealing with.
  2. State the Obvious Solution: Propose an obvious solution to the problem.
  3. Test the Opposite: Reflect upon the opposite of the obvious solution.
  4. Explore the Opposite: Delve into the implications of the opposite solution for your business, customers, or employees.
  5. Find a Twist: Discover a creative approach to twist the opposite solution into a workable strategy.

Integrating SIFT and the "Opposite" Exercise

Incorporate these techniques by following this process:

  1. Utilize SIFT to Generate Ideas:
    • Space: Widen your horizon and pick up unique perspectives.
    • Insight: Investigate the issue more deeply to uncover hidden patterns and opportunities.
    • Focus: Filter and refine ideas to pinpoint your most promising options.
    • Twist: Infuse creativity and ingenuity to generate uncommon solutions.
  2. Employ the "Opposite" Exercise:
    • Identify the Opposite: Take the ideas from SIFT and consider their opposites.
    • Explore the Opposites: Examine the possible consequences of the opposite solutions.
    • Twist the Opposites: Identify creative approaches to adapting the opposite solutions.

Practical Application Tips

  • CREATIVE SCHEDULED SESSIONS: Designate specific times for creative brainstorming, distinct from routine meetings.
  • ROLE ROTATION: Regularly switch team members' roles to ensure that everyone experiences both creative and analytical tasks.
  • FEEDBACK LOOP: Establish a feedback loop where creative ideas are regularly assessed and revised through analytical reasoning.

By integrating Rohit Bhargava's SIFT method with the "opposite" exercise, you can cultivate non-obvious thinking and grow to be more innovative and inclusive in the current chaotic and cluttered world. This approach encourages expanding your horizons, considering diverse perspectives, and refining your ideas through a methodical process.

In the context of promoting creativity and combating biased consumption, Rohit Bhargava suggests employing the "opposite" exercise. By contemplating "what if the opposite of what I believe were true?" one can challenge their beliefs and discover hidden opportunities, leading to innovative strategies.

Furthermore, according to Bhargava, adopting the SIFT method (Space, Insight, Focus, Twist) can help cultivate a non-obvious perspective. This structured approach encourages creating mental and physical space, finding insights through careful observation, focusing on essentials, and defining a unique twist, paving the way for innovative solutions.

Read also:

    Related

    Latest