Break the Rules for Innovation: Rethink How You Think
What if the rules you follow are holding you back?
We’ve all been taught that best practices are the key to success. They provide structure, efficiency, and predictability. But what if they’re also limiting your ability to innovate?
Sometimes your breakthrough to the future breaks off from what’s expected.
A Case in Point
Take the smartphone industry as an example. In 2007, the “best practice” was that mobile devices needed physical keyboards.
Then came the iPhone, a radical shift that ignored conventional wisdom. Gasp! No physical keyboard!
But by moving beyond best practices, Apple redefined the industry.
This is a great example of how Apple moved to a different way of thinking.
Two types of thinking
In leadership, two modes of thinking drive decision-making…
Divergent thinking, which expands and explores creativity, exploration, and new possibilities
And convergent thinking, which hones in on efficiency, consistency, and optimizing what already works.
Best practices are rooted in convergent thinking to refine and streamline processes, but they rarely spark the divergent thinking needed for fresh ideas or revolutionary change.
Skillful Balance
This same tension exists in organizations and on teams.
Leaders who rely only on best practices can unfortunately stifle innovation and miss opportunities for growth.
The key is to balance efficiency with exploration—knowing when to follow the rules and when to rethink them.
Great leaders master the art of balancing convergent thinking (what works) with divergent thinking (what if).
Innovation starts where best practices end. And that begins with breaking free and thinking differently.
Watch the video to learn more details and learn about practical ways to balance between the two sides!
Looking to increase your effectiveness?
If you feel stuck in doing the same thing over and over again but aren’t seeing the breakthrough results you need, it may be time to shift how you think.
We offer coaching to help you do just that!
Contact us, and let’s explore how rethinking your approach can unlock fresh ideas, smarter strategies, and greater impact.
