Award-winning author and expert trend speaker Jeremy Gutsche dedicates a significant amount of time in his innovation keynote to discussing the most effective leadership strategy that leaders and CEOs can apply today. Much of Jeremy's book focuses on breaking free from traditional thought when it comes to business. In order to innovate, businesses must change the way they think and behave.
One of his most basic pieces of advice is to question rational thought. Rational thought will not help a business change, innovate or break out of its rut.
Jeremy shares the story of typewriter company Smith Corona to demonstrate why rational decision-making will kick-start a company's downfall.
"In the 1970s and 1980s, computing didn't seem big enough. A $1 million venture is interesting to a $10 million company. But to a $500 million giant like Smith Corona, $1 million seemed too small. Big companies are hungry for big opportunities.
The rational decision was to focus on re-locating to Mexico. Any decent analysis would have told Smith Corona that relocating was the safest medium-term decision."
Taking the safest route ended up costing Smith Corona its biggest opportunity -- not to mention millions of dollars.
It is important for businesses to exercise a leadership strategy that doesn't immediately look for the safest route or easiest option, because it can mean missing out on huge opportunities. For more business advice and leadership strategy ideas, check out the FREE copy of 'Exploiting Chaos' here.
Question Rational Thought
Expert Trend Speaker Jeremy Gutsche Shares His Leadership Strategy
Trend Themes
1. Questioning Rational Thought - Embracing irrationality and questioning traditional thought can lead to disruptive innovation opportunities.
2. Changing Mindsets - Encouraging businesses to change their way of thinking and behaving can unlock new innovation possibilities.
3. Risking Comfort for Growth - Avoiding the safest and easiest options can open doors to significant opportunities for business growth.
Industry Implications
1. Technology - The technology industry can benefit from questioning rational thought to drive disruptive innovation in various sectors.
2. Manufacturing - The manufacturing industry needs to shift mindsets to break free from traditional thought and embrace new innovation strategies.
3. Leadership Development - Leadership development programs and consulting services can help business professionals take risks and challenge conventional thinking for growth.