Posts Tagged ‘assumption’

Break the Rules

Many of the rules that apply in businesses were set years ago and have endured by force of habit. A good example is the QWERTY keyboard, which is in use on all desktop computers. The original QWERTY layout of keys on the typewriter keyboard was designed in the 1870s to slow down the speed of typing because fast operators were causing typewriter keys to jam together. By… Continue reading

September 22 2009 | By Paul | Tagged: assumption, branson, innovation, roddick, rules, swatch, virgin | 17 comments»

Assuming Positive Intent: The Ultimate Productivity Driver

From the interviews I have done with people on getting the most out of life, it’s clear that assuming positive intent is an important contributor to quality of life. Most people appreciate the dividends such a mindset produces in the realm of relationships. How relationships can flourish when you don’t assume intentions that may or may not be there. And how their partner can become an easier person to be around… Continue reading

March 2 2009 | By Kit | Tagged: assumption, career, intent, Lifestyle, passion, positive, quality of life, work | 14 comments»

Think Laterally

Lateral thinking is a phrase coined by Edward de Bono as a counterpoint to conventional or vertical thinking. In conventional thinking we go forward in a predictable, direct fashion. Lateral thinking involves coming at the problem from new directions – literally from the side. De Bono defines the four main aspects of lateral thinking as follows:

The recognition of dominant polarizing ideas.
The search for different ways of looking at things.
A relaxation

February 9 2009 | By Paul | Tagged: assumption, brainstorm, creativity, de bono, discovery, imagination, lateral, puzzle, thinking | 9 comments»

Confront Assumptions

Every time that we approach a problem, in any walk of life, we bring to bear assumptions that limit our ability to conceive fresh solutions. Innovators are always aware of assumptions and are always happy to confront them. There is a story told about a northern pike, a large carnivorous freshwater fish. A pike was put into an aquarium, which had a glass partition dividing it. In the other half from… Continue reading

July 9 2008 | By Paul | Tagged: assumption, business, challenge, creativity, innovation, innovator, lateral, leader, thinking | 7 comments»