Steve Burns’ Post

Practise divergent thinking instead of convergent thinking. (here's why) When you practise convergent thinking, there's only 1 solution to 1 problem. Snce young, we've been wired to give the right answer to a problem. Yet in reality, almost every problem can be solved by different answers. This is when divergent thinking comes into play. When you practise divergent thinking, there are many solutions to 1 problem. Let's say you're struggling to close clients for your business. You think this is because of your offer, so you lower the price and hope clients will buy from you. But you still can't close the next clients, and now you're stuck. You don't know why prospects don't want to buy from you when you're cheaper. This is convergent thinking. When you practise divergent thinking, you'll think beyond price. You'll think of value stacking, positioning, timing, urgency to create an irresistible offer. The next time you face any problem, get creative, and think out of the box. Divergent thinking > Convergent thinking Thought? 🤝🏻

HOW TO BECOME A BETTER THINKER. Do you want to master the process of good thinking? Do you want to be a better thinker tomorrow than you are today? Then you need to engage in an ongoing process that improves your thinking? I recommend you do the following:- 1) Good thinkers always prime the pump of ideas. 2) They always look for things to get the thinking process started, because what you put in always impacts what comes out. 3) Read books, review trade magazines and spend time with good thinkers. 4) Spend your quality time with the right people. The sharp people sharpen one another, just as iron sharpens iron, if you want to be a sharp thinker, be around sharp people. 5) To become a good thinker, you mush become intentional about the thinking process, Regularly put yourself in the right place to think. 6) Make it a priority. Remember, thinking is a discipline. 7) You may want to do sometime similar or you develop a schedule and method of your own No matter what you choose to do, go to your thinking place, take paper and pen,and Make sure you capture your ideas in writing. Beautiful Monday Morning to you all.

DO MORE WITH LESS Efficiency Unlocks Legal’s Potential When resources are limited, achieving more with less isn't just an option for legal teams; it's a necessity.  Here's how to start: 1. Prioritize ruthlessly. Focus on what delivers the most impact. 2. Automate the routine. Free up your time for more complex problem-solving. 3. Embrace innovative tech solutions that simplify processes and improve accuracy. Every step towards efficiency not only cuts costs but also amplifies your strategic influence. It’s time to redefine what you can achieve with what you already have. Are you ready?

Identifying a problem is the first step toward progress, but it’s just the beginning. In today’s fast paced world, it’s not enough to simply recognize challenges, we must also focus on analyzing and crafting effective solutions. A well defined problem sets the stage, but the real value lies in our ability to think critically, innovate, and implement strategies that drive results. By balancing problem identification with solution focused thinking, we turn obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

In the rush to provide solutions, people often overlook a critical step: properly defining the problem. Without a clear understanding of what you are trying to fix, even the best solutions can miss the mark. This can lead to wasted resources, misaligned efforts, and missed opportunities for innovation. Before jumping into solution mode, take time to thoroughly define the problem. Ask "why" repeatedly to uncover the root cause, involve diverse perspectives, and reflect on assumptions. A well-defined problem guides you toward meaningful, lasting solutions—not just quick fixes. Effective problem-solving starts with knowing what problem you're actually solving. Don’t rush it.

You can never go wrong by simplifying. Complexity often helps hide the truth. First principles thinking involves: Breaking down: Reducing a process to its most basic parts or underlying assumptions  Building up: Starting with the core pieces and putting them back together in a more effective way  Combining ideas: Combining ideas from different fields to create new innovations 

The easiest way to develop critical thinking in your specific work industry is to share, discuss, and talk about ideas with your colleagues, and bosses. When you share ideas, it will be easier for your to validate even if its worth enough to think about that idea or not. This way, you will gain knowledge, more ideas and you'll create your own funnel of growth.

Adopt an Innovator’s Mindset: To set yourself apart in a business landscape that prizes creative thinking and breakthrough results, you need to adopt an innovator’s mindset. Here’s how to consistently bring fresh ideas to the table and demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving. Approach problem-solving with curiosity. Question the status quo and explore new possibilities. Before starting any project, […] http://dlvr.it/T9Nz8W

Outcome is greater than output, Agreed. But do you know what’s even  greater than the outcome? 👍 The system that consistently delivers those outcomes. Stay with me. Ever wonder why some organizations seem to churn out successful products, while others struggle? The secret lies in their focus on the system. Successful companies prioritize building a reliable system or identifying problems, developing solutions, and iterating based on market feedback. This system ensures consistent quality outputs, leading to successful outcomes even in uncertain circumstances. But the system's power goes beyond just results. It allows for adaptability.  So when market needs change, a strong system can be adjusted to create new solutions that maintain a good product-market fit. In the end, your system or process that creates is more important than the creation itself. What do you say?

What problem are you solving? For who? What's the Value? What capabilities do you need to drive that value? What people, systems, and technology do you require to enable that value? Can you see and connect the dots? They are imperfectly connected and oh so important to keep that connected. Good strategy twists and turns these views. Lands on the true constraint. And then pours the energy and resources into solving the problem. And then the flywheel begins to spin. When you catch lightning in a bottle it is pure magic!