Learning how to think differently isn’t really so hard. The first requirement is to become a good observer of what is. Where innovative thinking occurs is when you get so knowledgeable about a subject that you start to notice what’s missing.
What’s missing can be the keys to differentiation, new products, new services or just buffing up what you already have or do.
Surveying the territory is a good habit to develop. Many people and companies get so used to their comfort zone and are surprised when a wave of disruption hits them instead of being ready for it. Kodak, General Motors, political parties… you name it – resist new ways of doing things. The winners are always the ones looking at what is going on and discovering what they can add that will improve results.