Non-Obvious Thinking: 4 Steps To Defeat The Algorithms

For the first time in human history, it’s possible to be both more informed and less knowledgeable at the same time. When we only read things we agree with and let algorithms determine what we believe, it becomes impossible to truly understand any other perspectives besides the ones we are shown. As a result, we are unable to imagine new directions and the future we create lacks vision.

How can we become more innovative in a very noisy, confusing world?

To explore this issue, I sat down to interview Rohit Bhargava about his latest book, Non-Obvious Thinking, co-authored with Ben duPont.

Bhargava points out a critical flaw in our consumption habits—our predisposition to engage only with ideas that reaffirm our beliefs, facilitated by algorithms that feed us a homogenous diet of information. This cycle stifles creativity and narrows our vision of the future, which often lacks inclusivity and broad-mindedness.

4 Secrets to Cultivate Non-Obvious Thinking

To counteract this, Bhargava and duPont propose a structured approach to cultivating a non-obvious mindset, delineated in their book through a four-step method known as SIFT:

1. Create SPACE – it is impossible to be more open minded or overcome our own biases if we feel constantly overwhelmed by noise and work. The first step toward non-obvious thinking therefore is to create the mental and physical space to have new ideas and allow more diverse thinking to happen.
2. Find the INSIGHT – this second step involves using the space you create to get better at honing your powers of observation about what’s happening around you and then applying your own thinking to assign meaning to the things you observe either in real life or through the media you consume.
3. FOCUS on what matters – the third phase is about honing your insights and challenging yourself to focus on the things that matter most. Here we talk about and teach techniques that help anyone think like a curator … to filter out the noise and find the signal.
4. Define the TWIST – the last stage is about putting all the pieces together to develop a new and unusual perspective or idea. We call this a twist and it is most often where people see the outcomes of learning to be non-obvious thinkers come to life. This is where you DO something with the method of non-obvious thinking!

The “Opposite” Exercise

Bhargava suggests a simple but powerful exercise to unlock new perspectives, overcome biases and foster empathy. He suggests we ask ourselves, “What if the opposite of what I believe were true?”

Applying this challenge in everyday decision-making can lead to more robust strategies and solutions. It forces us to validate our assumptions and often leads to discovering new opportunities that were previously hidden. Not only can we overcome biases, we can also see the world and the challenges we are facing through a different lens. That process leads to better ideas, more novel solutions to problems and ultimately, a better world for us all.

In a period where division and narrow thinking are all too common, “non-obvious thinking” not only offers a way to understand diverse perspectives but also serves as a blueprint for building a more imaginative and inclusive future.

The world needs more non-obvious thinkers, and the SHIFT model is a gateway to becoming one.

Kevin Kruse is the Founder + CEO of LEADx , scaling and sustaining leadership behaviors with behavioral nudges, micro-learning, and live cohort-based workshops. Kevin is also a New York Times bestselling author of Great Leaders Have No Rules , 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management , and Employee Engagement 2.0 .

By Kevin Kruse, Contributor