In this episode of the Learning While Working Podcast, Lisa Bodell, CEO of FutureThink and a global leader in simplification and innovation, explores the vital role of curiosity in our rapidly evolving AI landscape. Robin and Lisa discuss the power of asking "killer questions," fostering a culture of curiosity, and the irreplaceable human touch in creativity and problem-solving. Lisa also shares practical examples and insights on how diverse questioning can lead to innovative solutions in both work and personal life.

About Lisa Bodell

Lisa Bodell is an award-winning author and CEO of FutureThink. She has repeatedly been selected as one of the Top 50 Keynote Speakers in the World and recognized as one of the top 50 futurists. As a futurist and expert on the topic of innovation and simplicity, she serves as a global council member of the World Economic Forum, and has helped thousands of senior leaders ignite innovation at Bloomberg, Pfizer, Lockheed Martin, and more.

Key takeaways:

• Curiosity as a Skill: it is not just a natural trait; it's a skill that can be taught, practised, and sharpened. Organisations must foster a culture where asking questions is encouraged and safe.
• The Power of Better Questions: in the age of AI, the quality of answers is directly tied to the quality of questions. Instead of defaulting to straightforward queries, try "question storming" to expand your thinking and uncover new possibilities.
• Thinking Time is Crucial: Lisa emphasised the importance of carving out time for deep, uninterrupted thinking. This isn't just beneficial for innovation at work but for personal growth too.

Chapters:

• (00:00:00) Introduction
• (00:03:54) How brainstorming problems unlocks creative solutions.
• (00:08:28) Innovation involves uniqueness, not identical prompts and answers.
• (00:10:42) Use provocative questions to inspire disruptive innovation.
• (00:13:05) Lack of preparation and time stifles creativity.
• (00:16:32) Progress comes from creating multiple iterations.
• (00:22:05) How ‘The Artist's Way’ nurtures creativity through daily writing.
• (00:23:04) Monthly thinking day eases personal and business challenges.

Links from the podcast

• Connect with Lisa Bodell on LinkedIn
• Visit FutureThink
• Read The Artist's Way