Innovation and adaptability

Creative thinking

Create more possible approaches before judging which one deserves investment.

A practical starting point

Three principles to take into the conversation

  1. 1

    Frame the challenge as an open question, not a hidden preferred answer.

  2. 2

    Generate options under different constraints and viewpoints.

  3. 3

    Evaluate ideas against explicit criteria after exploration.

Try this opening

“What else could be true, and how would we approach this if our usual option were unavailable?”

Adapt this opening to your situation and say it in your own words.

Prepare in a few minutes

  • Write down the outcome you want from the conversation.
  • Separate what you observed from what you assume.
  • Choose one point the other person needs to understand.
  • Plan a question that makes room for their perspective.