15 :: 5 Non-Negotiable Ways of Thinking for CINOs

Our actions are a direct manifestation of our thought processes and mental models. The way one thinks shapes the way one acts and CINOs should pave the path towards effective leadership, innovation and transformative change across the whole organization with their own. There are 5 ways of thinking I believe should be non-negotiable to lay the right foundations:

1. Moonshot Thinking 🛸

Moonshot thinking, popularized by Google X, involves setting audacious goals and pursuing breakthrough solutions to seemingly insurmountable challenges. The term “moonshot” refers to the ambitious United States’ Apollo 11 mission, which sent the first humans to the moon in 1969 and required so many resources and efforts that seemed unlikely to succeed. Similarly, this mindset encourages individuals and teams to think boldly, embrace risk, and push the boundaries of what is considered possible, ultimately driving transformative innovation. Why be 10% better when you can be 10 times better?

2. Polymathic Thinking 🏛

Polymathic thinking refers to integrating knowledge and insights from multiple disciplines and domains to tackle complex problems and generate innovative solutions. It encompasses a broad range of other ways of thinking, including critical and lateral thinking, for example. Polymath-innovators possess diverse interests, expertise, and perspectives, constantly exploring new areas of knowledge which allows them to approach problems from unique angles and make novel connections that lead to creative breakthroughs.

3. Anticipatory Thinking 🔮

Anticipatory thinking involves proactively identifying and preparing for future trends, disruptions, and opportunities before they fully emerge. By analyzing signals and trends, innovators who are anticipatory thinkers can anticipate potential futures, mitigate risks, and capitalize on emerging opportunities, positioning themselves and their organizations for success in dynamic and uncertain environments.

4. Systems Thinking ⚙️

Innovators understand that problems and solutions are often interconnected within larger systems and understanding the interconnectedness of systems is crucial for addressing complex challenges effectively. Systems thinking involves seeing the big picture, identifying relationships and patterns, and understanding how changes in one area can impact the whole. It encourages individuals to consider the broader context in which problems arise and anticipate the potential consequences of interventions, leading to more holistic and sustainable solutions.

5. Design Thinking 🎨

Design Thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving that emphasizes empathy, experimentation, and iteration. It comes last because it is already one of the most popular ways of thinking about innovation, but it works, so it deserves its spot. Design-thinker-innovators seek to understand the needs and experiences of users, challenge assumptions, and prototype solutions to quickly learn and adapt based on real-world feedback, ultimately delivering more effective, and user-friendly innovations.

Ps. If you know about any other ways of thinking that were not covered here and should be added to the list let me know and I’ll add them to a future issue.

See you next Tuesday! 👋