Want original ideas? Learn how to procrastinate.
Got 15 minutes?
I've got a gem of a Ted talk, which I couldn't wait to share with you.
If you dare to watch, Adam Grant will change your perception of procrastination, as he explores original thinking, where it comes from, and what it needs to thrive.
Original thinking in our global village
What Adam doesn't talk much about are the cultural implications of the habits (or lack thereof) which promote original thinking, which frankly fascinates me. Are there some cultures which provide a more fertile soil for creativity and original thinking? Well, let's make a quick comparison, using the two countries which I know best, with the assumption that there is much truth to national stereotypes.
The Americans (i.e. U.S. citizens)
Yes, Americans tend to be extremely hard working (the harder, the better, otherwise heads will roll) and eager to please (generally making them more service savvy - In the land where "the customer is king"). And personally speaking, I feel less intimidated presenting a “silly” idea to a group of Americans, than I do to a group of Germans.
The Germans
And Germans? They're known for being punctual and tidy. Why? Well, their success in life relies heavily on these two traits, while other traits get pushed to the "nice to have" category. Here I’d say that the obsession with perfectionism creates a culture of inhibition, which is contra-indicative of risk taking and unlikely to help incubate original ideas.
Why is this interesting?
In my college days, I dabbled in human cultures, AKA Anthropology. And sociologically speaking, the topic of creativity, and how it varies from country to country, fascinates me. Why are we so different? And how can we learn how to bridge these gaps and become more tolerant, as the world continues to shrink?
How does all this translate to the corporate world?
I can say from experience that there are certain major corporations which place little value on original thinking, and rather shun procrastination of any kind. In these environments, productivity takes precedence over creativity. So it should come as no surprise that the ideas which come out of such organizations are seldom truly original. Instead, they outsource creativity to agencies, which are there for the paycheck, but can never be as passionate about the products or services being marketed as an actual employee would be.
How can we change this?
In the end, only a company who places value on original thinkers can become a market leader for the long-haul. And only managers who give their employees room for "original thinking", and - this is important - the opportunity to fail, can expect extraordinary results.
Where can I learn more?
Tune into Adam Grant's Ted talk for the full scoop, as he discusses the importance of moderate procrastination, and the critical role it plays in original thinking.
My favorite quote from Adam's talk
"Being original is not easy. But I do know this: It's the best way to improve the world around you."
Now if you don't mind, it's time for me to stop procrastinating and move on to coming up with some phenomenal ideas.