“These Go To Eleven” – Staying Positive When Reductive Thinking Silences The Rock and Roll of Innovation.

This article was written by a human.

If you are of a certain vintage, you may recall the 1984 mockumentary, “This Is Spinal Tap”. The movie is a satirical take on the outlandish behavior of a rock and roll band. In one famous scene, Nigel, a band member explains that the band’s superior sound is due to their amplifier volume going “to eleven” as opposed to the standard 10 that is written on most sound equipment. Of course, the maximum volume is just that, the maximum regardless of if the scale is written as 10 or 11. or 111. This joke is a “go-to” of mine when I struggle to influence organizational change. Of course, a 1980s film with dated and often crass humor isn’t the ideal resource for guidance on kick-starting innovations. However, the analogy of the amplifier that has just one degree more compared to others… is what resonates with me and can be a fun albeit silly analogy. When everyone around you seems to be trying to solve problems by doing the same thing, at the same speed, or volume if you will… it is very difficult to bring distinctiveness to your services and your organizations.

I’ve heard this phenomenon described as “the sea of sameness”, a situation where many products, services, or brands in a particular market or industry appear very similar, leading to a lack of differentiation. I’ve encountered this term when working with marketing and communications departments that have “hit a wall” in how to communicate what is special about their organization when everyone else has the exact same message. Healthcare is personal and few people I know seek out care providers solely based on minor price differences. Having a feeling of being valued, heard, and of course, cared for as a unique individual are the things people express as being of paramount importance when rating a healthcare provider or organization. Consider not just messaging or communication, but also the investments, projects, and tasks you are focused on. If your strategy and work look like a replica of a peer’s approach you may be struggling because you didn’t add that one additional tick of volume… to get to 11.

Within the “sea of sameness,” people also find, innovation stagnation. When your project mix is solely focused on improving what you are already good at. A key consequence of that might be everyone else doing the same thing. This stifles innovation, as organizations are stuck in the reductive thinking loop and fail to develop new and distinctive features or services. Respectfully, I am not saying managing with reductive reasoning isn’t valuable. Reductive reasoning is a great way to manage risk and reinforce a sense of cautious optimism. Without a diverse mindset, you may find yourself in some of the awful situations the band in the mockumentary did. Quality in many realms depends on reductive reasoning. I suggest you need both… some expansive thinking and reductive reasoning to get your amplifiers up to 11. But let’s be honest, if ALL you do is reductive reasoning when you’re planning a strategy it can be a real drag. Everyone, no matter which mindset they are stronger in wants to learn, grow, and stay positive. ?????

For me, staying positive when it feels like reductive thinking is pushing the volume down lower and lower is a matter of using the “yes and” approach. Consider this simple approach as a way to add an “expansive mindset” to your organization. This is a collaborative and open-minded strategy often used in improvisational theater and creative processes but applicable to various fields, including business, healthcare, and even organizational strategy. The core principle of this approach is to build on ideas constructively, promoting a positive and inclusive atmosphere for brainstorming and problem-solving. Expansive approaches are great sources for bringing renewed energy and inclusion. Here’s how you can use the "yes and" approach in just three steps:

Step 1: Affirmation. When someone presents an idea, the first response is "Yes." This means accepting the idea without immediate criticism or rejection. It creates an environment where participants feel valued and heard.

Step 2: Addition. The "and" part encourages participants to add to the idea. Instead of stopping at mere acceptance, contributors expand, modify, or enhance the original concept. This helps to develop and evolve ideas collaboratively.

Step 3: Repeat. Encourage everyone to speak and add to the ideas. Keep the conversation going! Consider taking a break, or bringing the topic back up at a future meeting. The process doesn't need a start and stop point, it can be continuous, iterative, and ongoing.

In the solely reductive mindset, you, of course, hear “yes but” and not “yes and”. Like a band, a diverse mindset and harmonious voice or vision get you to the next level. The “yes and” approach minimizes the immediate dismissal of ideas, reducing potential conflicts and fostering a more positive atmosphere. Most importantly, teams can generate more innovative and creative solutions by building on each other's ideas. Why stop at 10? You can apply the "yes, and..." mindset to explore more strategic options and envision future scenarios collaboratively. I will bet you may start to witness more involvement from the normally quiet or even silent people in those critical planning meetings once you build this culture that is focused on growth.

You may be thinking… well if everyone starts playing their music at 11, now we must go to 12, and 13, and so on. I think there’s room for everyone. It is not just about volume, but distinction. If you have already tried the “yes and” expansive approach and still find yourself in the sea of sameness, consider that the notes you are playing may also be the same as before. Sometimes “yes and” is about writing a new song too. To this problem, I encourage you not to fall back into solely reductive thinking. In many ways, 11 is the perfect volume. Focus on creating a strong organizational identity, emphasizing what makes you unique and innovative by trying something different. Rock and roll may not be everyone’s favorite style, maybe country, classical, or hip-hop is your jam. No matter what it is, don’t forget to raise the volume just one degree more.