How to Be Awesome at Your Job

918: How to Think and Innovate Like a Genius with Paul Sloane

Nov 27, 2023

Paul Sloane, an expert in lateral thinking and innovation, discusses problem-solving, memory improvement, and building rapport. He emphasizes challenging assumptions in the workplace and the value of thinking humorously. He also explores the importance of memory in a tech-driven society and shares techniques to improve recall. The podcast covers favorite quotes, studies, and tools related to thinking and innovation, including the innovator's dilemma and the Debono 6 Thinking Hats tool. Additionally, the power of expressing appreciation and subscribing to the podcast is highlighted.

41:09

Episode guests

Paul Sloane

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Adopting different thinking styles and being open to new approaches can make individuals more innovative and effective problem solvers.

Asking questions and exploring new ideas can lead to fresh insights and breakthroughs in industries and organizations.

Deep dives

Challenging assumptions and embracing diverse thinking styles

One of the key points discussed in the podcast episode is the importance of challenging assumptions in our thinking. The speaker emphasizes that people tend to think in predictable ways and stick to the thinking styles that have served them well in the past. However, in order to be truly effective and innovative, it is crucial to develop a variety of thinking styles and be open to different perspectives. This means embracing creative thinking, lateral thinking, emotional thinking, and logical thinking, among others. By adopting different thinking styles and being open to new approaches, individuals can become more competent and effective problem solvers and decision makers in the workplace.

Introduction

4min

Challenging Assumptions in the Workplace

21min

The Power of Humor

5min

The Importance of Memory and Building Relationships

5min

Thinking and Innovation

4min

The Power of Expressing Appreciation and Subscribing to the Podcast

2min

Paul Sloane discusses how to become more innovative and effective by adopting different styles of thinking.

— YOU’LL LEARN —

1) The top question to ask when problem-solving.

2_ The simple trick for improving your memory.

3) How to build rapport with anyone with one phrase.

Subscribe or visit AwesomeAtYourJob.com/ep918 for clickable versions of the links below.

— ABOUT PAUL —

Paul Sloane is the author of many books on lateral thinking and the leadership of innovation. He graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in Engineering. He had a successful career in sales at IBM before becoming Marketing Director and then Managing Director at the database company, Ashton-Tate. He was subsequently the VP International and CEO of software companies. He now speaks and consults on lateral thinking and innovation with corporate clients.

• Book: How to be a Brilliant Thinker: Exercise Your Mind and Find Creative Solutions

• Website: DestinationInnovation.com

• TEDx Talk: Are You Open Minded? Three Ways to Break Thinking Patterns | Paul Sloane | TEDxUniversityofBrighton

• LinkedIn: Paul Sloane

• Twitter: @PaulSloane

— RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW —

• Book: How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie

• Book: Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono

• Book: The Innovator's Dilemma: The Revolutionary Book That Will Change the Way You Do Business by Clayton Christensen

— THANK YOU SPONSORS! —

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