Willingness to Think Differently

Talking lies somewhere between thinking and acting; unfortunately, it's often a substitute for both. It's easy for people to talk about doing things, but the real challenge, and where true leadership is tested, is in the thinking – the hard work of crafting visions and solutions. To create change in a company, or even in society, requires that we think differently about tomorrow than we did about yesterday.

Crafting Ideas into Action

While game-changing thoughts usually start in one person's mind, the ability to "craft" executable ideas requires teamwork. Some of the great thought leaders in American business history, like John D. Rockefeller, Thomas Edison, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs, could articulate their ideas to teams of people who put their ideas into action. Leaders who not only think differently but also have the ability to mobilize organizations around new ideas and concepts create a powerful combination. If done exceptionally well, such leadership can be unstoppable. This process often involves challenging the status quo, encouraging innovation, and fostering an environment where creative thinking is valued and nurtured.

Thinking differently is not just having unique ideas but being able to refine and improve them through diverse perspectives. Leaders must cultivate an environment where different viewpoints are heard and actively encouraged. Healthy debate and diverse perspectives are vital for refining ideas and ensuring they are robust and well-considered. As John F. Kennedy said, "We need men who can dream of things that never were." Every significant innovation starts with an idea, but a team's collective power turns these ideas into realities.

Practically Thinking

But practically, how do you empower yourself and your team to start thinking differently? Encouraging deep thought and innovative thinking requires a blend of personal habits, environmental changes, and collaborative practices. Here are some ways I make thinking a regular part of my life:

1. Create a Thought-Conducive Environment: Designate a quiet, comfortable space for thinking, away from daily distractions. It could be a peaceful corner in your home, a park, or your favorite coffee shop. Those who know me know that my study is my "thought sanctuary."
2. Set Aside Dedicated Thinking Time: Schedule regular intervals devoted to reflection and brainstorming without the pressure of immediate tasks or deadlines. Sunday afternoons are my choice as I'm already in a reflective mood from church, and that's when it's quiet in our home.
3. Journaling: Write out your thoughts, ideas, and reflections regularly. Journaling can help organize thoughts and spark new insights. And it's so powerful to reflect on old notes and think about how far you've come and how much you've transformed. And maybe an idea you had 5+ years ago didn't come to fruition then, but it's precisely what you need now.
4. Consume Lots of Content (in a good way!): Read books, listen to podcasts, and watch documentaries/movies/the latest miniseries on Netflix that stimulate new ideas and perspectives, even if it's on topics outside of your interests or expertise. I'm a huge advocate for reading; I even started a podcast about my favorite books! Even if you only take away one or two ideas from a book you're reading, if it can transform your life, it is worth reading. "Readers are leaders. If you're not reading, you're not leading."
5. Learn from Other Industries: Look at how people in different fields or industries would approach your problems or challenges. This cross-pollination of ideas can lead to innovative solutions. You don't always need to reinvent the wheel.
6. Continuous Learning: Stay curious and keep learning new skills or information, which can be catalysts for new ways of thinking. Fuel your curiosity with what motivates your interests, whether it's buying a new book, attending an innovative seminar, or exploring a new city or country. Keep your curiosity alive!
7. Encourage Constructive Debate: In a team setting, promote an environment where challenging each other’s ideas respectfully and constructively is welcomed. This has been a significant personal growth opportunity, as our leadership team regularly challenges my ideas in our weekly meetings. It's given me many chances to practice the leadership insights I've shared over the past few months. Sometimes easier said than done! But I'm consistently reminded of how valuable each team member is and why I'm excited to come to work every day.

Changing how we think requires intentional, daily mind shifts to our regular patterns of thought and habits. It's a genuine willingness to think outside of the box and outside of ourselves. It's allowing ourselves to be transformed in all aspects of our lives to impact our organizations. In turn, our organizations can impact individuals, industries, and the world for the better.

This is the 9th part of our 10-part Leadership Insights series. Follow ADV Integrity so you don't miss the final article next week.