I love it when I come across a new phrase that immediately sparks a "What the #$@*&?"
That's exactly what happened when I came across an article in Entrepreneur titled "Zero-Gravity Thinking."
It starts with the recognition that sometimes what we do best actually hampers our creativity and innovation. “A company's (and we're all CEO of our own company – us!) own way of doing things, its own expertise can get in the way of doing things better and more innovative,” says Cyntiia Barton Rabe, author of The Innovation Killer: How What We Know Limits What We Can Imagine.”
She suggests that we rejuvenate our thinking with what she calls Zero-Gravity Thinkers – Renaissance-type thinkers who are in no way connected to our company or our work. They might have related expertise in the area needing assistance but not psychologically connected to us. A Zero-Gravity Thinker will ask questions that force us to challenge our most basic assumptions and come up with fresh approaches.
I think that this is what happens when Knights get together in a pub booth and start doodling on napkins. “I've got this problem...” turns into a stack of solutions drawn out on bar napkins and backs of coasters.
To be honest, I don't know if the term Zero-Gravity Thinking is one that I'll embrace, but I love the idea of sharing brainpower with people unique to my business or projects. Who knows what a tall beer and a “What if...?” question can lead to?
Sir Bowie of Greenbriar
I guess I have totally embraced Zero Gravity Thinking without even knowing it?! Perhaps, I have invented "Sub Zero" Gravity Thinking. I've done this by getting rid of all employees and partners and only working with those who are truly inspired and want to make a difference. I'm slightly poorer, but much happier and more creative now than perhaps when I was in my late 20's and early 30's. Besides, I always got my best ideas walking in the woods, taking a shit or a shower. To the best of my knowledge I don't think a toilet, shower stall or a tree are involved in my business as experts.
ReplyDeleteHmmm Nice image Hooky... i'll send my bill for the therapy i need now to get rid of it, to you...
ReplyDeleteremember...it was sat in Mcgraths that you pitched this KMSA idea at me..and i just happened to be an itinerant Brit Graphics guy with a handle on the whole medievil genre...and bingo~bango was able to serve up enough graphics to get you started and give the idea a face. So brainstorming...which is what zero-Gravity thinking is...actually works.
Now i'm waiting for my KMSA Franchise papers for when you set up this chain of Knights Bars across the USA and into England selling real beer. " All hail the Ale, and Cheer the Beer...whats the matter Lager-boy 'fraid you might taste something?"
whats that you say?? you shit in the woods and walk around in the shower??
Sir Dayvd ( in therapy ) of Oxford~shire