possibility…

One of the most powerful creative thinking strategies I’ve found involves assumptions. While this technique sounds simple and requires no more than some quiet time to think and a pen and paper, it is deceptively difficult. I first began to consider reversing assumptions as a strategy after reading Michael Michalko’s book, Thinkertoys: A Handbook of Business Creativity.

In the first edition of his book, Michalko writes “Assumptions are maintained by the hug of history. Yet, history does not guarantee their validity, nor does it ever reassess their validity. At times, an assumption presents a false face that we mistake for something immutable; a truth that cannot be challenged.” (p. 43-44).

Assumptions are an enormous barrier to change-ability because they are quiet and keep a low profile. We’re not even aware of many of them. When we begin to develop a strategy for meeting a challenge, we begin with a set of assumptions–the foundation–which impacts the direction and success of everything that follows.

Michalko’s recipe for using assumptions to our advantage:

1. state your challenge or issue
2. list your assumptions [do not be fooled--this is extremely difficult and may take some time]
3. reverse your assumptions and write the opposite of each one
4. develop several approaches for accomplishing each reversed assumption
5. consider how these strategies can be utilized in working with your original challenge

In my experience, personally and in using this technique while facilitating workshops, the most powerful aspect of reversing assumptions is step #2–identifying the assumptions. Often identifying a piece of the puzzle that can be reinterpreted or reshaped causes the bigger picture to shift.

Let me know how this works for you.