The reason behind creating the Uncommon Common-Sense newsletter stems from the era of complexity and rapid changes. It has become increasingly vital to think, make decisions and effectively solve problems. Over my career and interactions with top tier executives I've noticed a growing acknowledgment that these essential skills often referred to as " common sense”. Are quite scarce.
This realization prompted me to launch the Uncommon Common-Sense newsletter. My goal is not to advocate for common-sense thinking but also to push boundaries by fostering what I term as "Uncommon Common Sense." This involves thinking in ways questioning beliefs and tackling challenges with a unique perspective that surpasses the obvious.
The concept took shape after years of collaborating with executives from sectors. I frequently heard them express the desire, for individuals possessing sense. However, upon delving into their needs it became apparent that they were seeking individuals with the ability to traverse complexity, engaging in critical thinking and bringing innovative ideas to the forefront.
Furthermore, I've noticed that many successful individuals, upon looking closer, express a desire to have possessed the knowledge they have now, earlier, in their careers. In other words, they are suggesting that “if I knew back then what I now know, how might my life have been different.? That sentiment goes beyond facts or skills; it pertains to their mindset and problem-solving approaches. It involves the frameworks and cognitive strategies that enable them to recognize opportunities where others see obstacles, to make connections that others overlook, and to make decisions with an understanding of long-term implications.
This newsletter aims to bridge that knowledge gap by equipping readers with the tools, insights and frameworks needed to cultivate this ‘sense’ at an earlier stage in their careers and lives.
Thinking differently lies at the core of common-sense. It involves breaking from ingrained thinking patterns and cognitive biases that often limit our perspectives. This shift is essential because our usual ways of thinking though effective, for tasks may falter when we encounter complex challenges.
One crucial element of thinking differently is fostering metacognition. The skill of reflecting on our thought processes.
By gaining an understanding of how we think we can begin to recognize and question our assumptions, acknowledge our biases and deliberately opt for more effective approaches, to solving problems.
Another key aspect is having humility. This entails acknowledging the boundaries of our knowledge and being willing to change our perspectives when faced with information. In a world that values certainty admitting uncertainty may feel uneasy. However, it is this receptiveness to ideas. Eagerness to learn that distinguishes truly innovative thinkers.
Thinking differently also involves embracing variety. This goes beyond differences (although those are important) and involves actively seeking out and appreciating diverse viewpoints and thinking styles. By exposing ourselves to a range of perspectives we can challenge our assumptions and enhance our understanding of complex issues.
Diverging from Thinking: From Overused Phrase to Essential Skill
While "think outside the box" has become clichéd in business contexts its core message remains vital. Essentially it involves breaking from thought patterns and exploring new opportunities.
One approach to nurturing this type of thinking is, through practicing thinking a concept introduced by Edward.
“You can analyze the past, but you need to design the future.”
Dr. Edward DeBono
Thinking differently involves tackling problems from perspectives using imagination and creativity to come up with solutions. It's, about questioning assumptions changing how we see problems and finding connections between ideas that may not seem related.
An effective strategy is to think by analogy. Taking lessons from one area and applying them to another. This approach can lead to breakthroughs. Offer fresh viewpoints on stubborn issues. For example, the creation of Velcro was inspired by how burrs cling to fabric … a case of imitating nature
Embracing growth mindset as explained by psychologist Carol Dweck is another aspect of thinking. It means seeing challenges as chances for learning and improvement than things to fear. With this mindset, setbacks become learning opportunities and obstacles turn into moments for acquiring skills and understandings.
The Importance of Looking to Drawing Lessons from the Past to Shape the Future
A focus of the Uncommon Common-Sense newsletter is the value of reflection. The ability to reflect on our experiences, learn lessons from them and apply those insights, in future situations sets exceptional thinkers apart.
This connects with a sentiment often expressed by people; "If only I had known then what I know now, how different might my life have been." Although we can't alter the past reflecting on it can aid in our learning process. Aid in making informed decisions moving forward.
A valuable method of reflection involves conducting “after action reviews," where we systematically analyze events or decisions to identify successes, failures and reasons behind them. By incorporating this practice into our routine, we can continuously enhance our frameworks and decision-making abilities.
Another crucial aspect of reflection is gaining an understanding of our values, motivations and long-term objectives. Many individuals navigate through life without an understanding of their overarching purpose simply reacting to circumstances. By pondering upon what holds significance for us we can make choices that do not make sense practically but also resonate with our core values and aspirations.
Reflection also involves thinking about "what if" scenarios. By imagining how things might have turned out if we had made different choices, we could better understand the results of our decisions and make smarter choices in the future. However, it's important not to dwell too much on these imaginary scenarios.
The Uncommon Wisdom of Common-Sense in Business
My interactions, with top tier executives consistently underscore the role that common sense plays in business environments. Many top executives find it puzzling that common sense is in supply despite being considered a trait. This leads to the question; why's something deemed "common" is hard to come by especially among individuals who are intelligent and capable?
The answer partly lies in the growing complexity of the business landscape. In a world marked by advancements, global connectivity and information overload, what we define as "common sense" is constantly changing. What was logical in the past may not apply adequately in today’s era.
Furthermore, specialized education and compartmentalized organizational structures can hinder common sense thinking. Experts focused on areas may struggle to see the picture or consider factors beyond their expertise. This is where uncommon common sense becomes essential. The ability to blend knowledge from fields assess implications and make well rounded decisions.
Another factor at play is the emphasis on short term gains, in businesses. Common sense often involves weighing long term outcomes and making choices that might not offer rewards. In a culture driven by results maintaining this kind of approach can be challenging.
Exploring Deeper: Moving Beyond Common Sense to Uncommon Common Sense
While common sense holds value, uncommon common sense pushes boundaries further.
Uncommon common sense encompasses more, than avoiding errors or making sound judgments in familiar situations. It involves equipping oneself with the abilities to navigate unfamiliar, intricate and uncertain circumstances.
Systems thinking is a component of common sense. The capacity to recognize interconnections and comprehend how changes in one area can trigger cascading effects throughout a system. In an interconnected world this skill is growing in importance.
Furthermore, uncommon common-sense entails cultivating a nuanced understanding of behavior and psychology. Many business decisions hinge on predicting how individuals will respond, whether they are clients, employees or rivals. In this context uncommon common sense goes beyond assumptions about motivations and behaviors to cultivate a more sophisticated insight into what motivates people.
A significant aspect of sense is the ability to juggle conflicting priorities and make tradeoffs. Real world decisions are seldom clear cut; they often involve weighing considerations taking stakeholders into account and making tough compromises. Uncommon common sense involves developing the discernment required to negotiate these trade offs
The Newsletters Role in Fostering Uncommon Common Sense
The Uncommon Common-Sense newsletter serves as a resource, for readers seeking to enhance these cognitive skills.
Each edition will center around a facet of wisdom that isn't always so common offering insights, frameworks and hands on activities to help readers improve their critical thinking and decision-making skills.
We'll delve into biases and strategies to overcome them explore decision making models used by executives and intellectuals and analyze real life examples of both effective and ineffective applications of unconventional wisdom, in business and personal life.
The newsletter will also include interviews with professionals and experts from fields who will share their experiences on how they've cultivated and utilized uncommon common sense in their professional journeys. These firsthand insights will bridge the theory practice gap by demonstrating how these principles can be relevant across scenarios.
Engaging elements like exercises and decision-making scenarios will allow readers to practice applying wisdom in a risk-free setting. With time these activities can help strengthen the skills for more effective problem solving, in real life situations.
Closing Thoughts: The Transformative Influence of Uncommon Common Sense
Through crafting this newsletter my aim is to empower readers to revolutionize their thought processes consequently impacting their lives well as professional trajectories.
By honing wisdom that goes beyond the ordinary people, can enhance their decision-making abilities resolve issues efficiently and maneuver through the intricacies of contemporary life, with increased ease and triumph.
I am of the belief that if a larger number of individuals nurtured these capabilities at a stage in their lives and careers, we would witness an effect of positive transformation throughout institutions and society. This could lead to businesses making decisions for the long-haul, leaders being better prepared to tackle intricate global issues, and individuals living more satisfying lives in harmony with their core values and dreams.
The path to cultivating this kind of wisdom is continuous. There is always more knowledge to acquire, different viewpoints to consider and new obstacles to overcome. However, embarking on this journey is truly rewarding. It is my aspiration that this newsletter will serve as a guide on this expedition, by offering readers the tools, perspectives and motivation to think outside the box question assumptions and create a positive impact within their spheres of influence.
In a world where common sense often seems elusive, developing this form of wisdom isn't just advantageous on a personal level. It's an essential skill, for shaping a brighter tomorrow.
Come along with me on this exploration into how we can enhance our clarity of thought make decisions and take effective action in every aspect of our lives.