Critical Thinking: Why We Miss Obvious Solutions To Our Problems
December 17, 2009 by Dr. Steve Bedwell
Filed under Critical Thinking
As I was re-reading the third part of my series on change management, well…well, to be honest, it didn’t seem in keeping with the fun of this time of year. And yet, I don’t want you to feel that all I gave you was a good time!
That said, here’s my compromise: A 3 minute video that will blow your mind and, at the same time, demonstrate something about yourself you don’t know.
The bald, bespectacled British bloke in the video isn’t me. His name is Professor Richard Wiseman and he’s Head of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. Richard’s carried out a ton of fascinating research, most notably into the phenomenon of luck.
Why am I showing you this clip? I promise you, three minutes from now, you’ll be in absolutely no doubt that, whenever you face a challenge, you need to ask the Perspective Power question “What am I missing?”
Remember the Expectation Error? You see what you expect to see; the unexpected remains invisible. (And that includes all the unexpected insights, opportunities and solutions you need for extraordinary success.)
So, next time you’re pondering a tough challenge, remember the “color changing card trick” and always ask: What am I missing?
What did you think of the clip? Feel free to speak your mind in the box below…
Happy Holidays,
Steve
Nice blog Steve. Another take-away is “you get what you focus on.”
Many times we are so busy focusing on the results we want (or don’t want). We fail to see the opportunities right in front of us.
Steve,
some fairly obvious changes once you see the video, but I missed all of them during the original video. I have to tell you, one of the biggest concerns we have is the “what are we making up” in email messages. I have sent an email to many folks since your visit asking them what they are making up. that and “what am I missing” is now part of our everyday life at Sutter North.
thanks,
Hey Guys,
Nice to hear from you both.
Tony, I absolutely agree that an unexamined focus can definitely cause us to miss the golden opportunities under our nose. That’s why we need to make looking at our circumstances from multiple angles a strategic (and habitual) process.
Mark’s comment provides an excellent example of this. Specifically asking his staff to consider what they’re missing and making up is a key element in flexing their Perspective Power. It enables them to sharpen their thinking, dilute toxic emotions (like anger and fear) and focus on activities that drive effective results.
Happy Holidays to you both,
Steve