Cognitive Performance
3 Tips to Create Novel Ideas Despite Our Limitations
Why the world has less innovative but more ordinary content and tips to change this ratio based on professional experience.
We find ourselves in a paradoxical situation when generating ideas and developing solutions. On the one hand, we constantly strive for creativity, novelty, and originality to develop groundbreaking ideas and solutions.
Yet, on the other hand, we find ourselves producing mediocre, conventional, useless, or uninspiring ideas. The world has more mediocre ideas and solutions than novel ones because of the various factors and mechanisms I cover in this post.
As a scientist and inventor, this enigmatic paradox attracted my interest in my early career. Thus, I investigated the situation theoretically and experimentally, found clear patterns, and validated them.
During my literature reviews, several mechanisms and theories explained this paradoxical enigma. Using the invention development process at work, I triangulated my findings with observations in various teams, interviews with young scientists, and my decades of professional experience.
After analyzing the data diligently, I found three distinct patterns with many factors and mechanisms. The first obvious finding was the nature of the brain. How it works is a constant in this process but changeable.
The second pattern was environmental. For like many others, it was variable for my professional development. The third was related to expertise, skills, and mindset. The third factor was also a variable I leveraged to generate novel ideas and innovative solutions.
I used these three factors to clarify the invention and innovation process. To give you an idea of using the protocol, when I started working in an invention development team with years of formal education, less than 1% of my ideas were worth patenting or publishing as intellectual capital.
However, support from master inventors who mentored me to use different approaches, my research in the cognitive science field to broaden my knowledge, and a change of mindset with constant feedback helped me increase the outcome from 1% to 20% in a decade and more later.
In this post, I discuss key findings under three categories without going into technical, theoretical, or scientific details, mainly focusing on the practical points. I also provide insights from the field and helpful tips that you can customize for your creativity and productivity in your domain.
1 — The Nature of the Brain and Cognitive Biases
We have more mediocre ideas than novel ones because of how our brains work. The brain is a highly efficient and automated machine that processes information quickly and easily.
We rely on heuristics (mental shortcuts) and biased thinking patterns to survive. The default brain mode is not readily equipped to engage in elaborate, effortful, creative thinking processes. The limbic system, particularly the amygdala, generally perceives novelty as a threat.
Heuristic refers to the tendency to judge the frequency or likelihood of events based on how easily they come to mind. This means we are more likely to generate ideas similar to those we have encountered before rather than exploring new possibilities.
From the perspective of the thinking patterns, the critical point is a type of cognitive bias called “confirmation bias.” Cognitive biases contain systematic errors in thinking and judgment that can affect decision-making and problem-solving. A cognitive distortion is an example.
Confirmation bias refers to our tendency to look for, interpret, remember, and convey information in ways that confirm our pre-existing beliefs. I observed this in writers or journalists who had no research background.
Confirmation bias can lead us to ignore and de-emphasize evidence contradicting our beliefs and to overvalue or selectively interpret evidence that supports them.
This type of knowledge is dangerous, but unfortunately, they are amplified in social media. This is how fatphobia causes so much damage to society.
The manifestation and use of confirmation bias mean we are less likely to consider alternative perspectives and explore divergent ideas that challenge our assumptions.
Both heuristics and confirmation bias can limit our ability to generate novel ideas by constraining our thinking and limiting our exploration of new possibilities. However, there are ways to overcome these biases, stimulate creative thinking, and generate innovative ideas.
Practical Solutions
We must disrupt our thinking patterns and assumptions deliberately. For example, we can engage in activities encouraging us to think differently and explore new perspectives.
We can brainstorm with others, take a different route to work, and expose ourselves to new experiences by taking calculated risks. We must stimulate the brain and tap into intuition via RAS to increase our exposure to diverse information and ideas, including our subconscious.
For example, we can seek information and ideas from various sources, such as books, papers, videos, movies, art, music, business, and conversations with people from different backgrounds or disciplines.
Exposing ourselves to new and different ideas can expand our mental models and frameworks to generate more diverse and original ideas.
2 — The Type of Intellectual Environment We Operate
The intellectual environment can impact the quality and originality of our thinking (mundane or innovative). Some scholarly settings can promote creativity and innovation. Others can suppress them.
For example, highly structured, hierarchical, judgmental, and punitive environments can inhibit creative thinking by imposing constraints and limiting the freedom to explore new possibilities.
Conversely, open, flexible, facilitative, compassionate, and supportive environments can encourage creative thinking by providing a safe space for experimentation, exploration, and collaboration.
The intellectual environment includes factors like the cultural, social, and educational context in which we operate and the types of ideas and information dominant and valued within that setting.
The cultural and social context can shape our thinking by influencing our beliefs, values, and assumptions. This context can include factors like family background, socioeconomic status, and society’s dominant cultural norms and values.
For example, individualistic cultures at work or in society may prioritize personal achievement and success, while collectivist cultures may emphasize group harmony and social relationships.
These cultural differences can influence the types of ideas and solutions that people generate and the criteria they use to evaluate them.
The educational environment can impact our thinking by shaping our knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward learning, like the quality of education, the teaching methods, and the expectations and standards.
For example, educational settings that emphasize memorization (rote learning) may limit students’ ability to think creatively and independently, while environments that encourage exploration and experimentation may facilitate novel and innovative thinking.
The types of ideas and information prevalent and valued within an intellectual environment can influence our thinking by shaping our cognitive models and expanding our knowledge base.
This can include the media we consume, the books and articles we read, and our conversations with others. For example, if a particular intellectual setting values traditional or conservative ideas, people may be less likely to generate or consider innovative or unconventional ideas.
I notably observed this in writers or journalists who used mainstream ideas, which were stale and useless, versus perceived controversial opinions, which were more novel and useful.
Our social networks, including the people we interact with and the communities we belong to, can influence our thinking by shaping our social norms and expectations from society.
This can include factors such as the values and beliefs shared within a social network and the feedback and validation we receive from others. For example, if a person is part of a social network valuing conformity and groupthink, they are less likely to generate original and iconoclastic ideas.
Practical Solutions
We must be mindful of the potential biases and limitations within the intellectual context I covered above.
Understanding how the intellectual environment can influence our thinking. We might leave stale environments, join new ones, or create unique environments that encourage creativity and independent thinking.
For example, many inventors throughout history migrated from one country or city to another to tap into their potential.
3 — Depth and Breadth of Knowledge and Expertise
Depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise can have a substantial impact on both ordinary and innovative thinking. Deep knowledge and expertise in a particular domain can generate more sophisticated and nuanced ideas and solutions within that domain.
Knowledgeable and experienced experts in a particular field have a deeper understanding of the underlying principles and concepts that govern that domain or discipline.
Their expertise allows them to see patterns and connections that may not be apparent to beginners. The mechanism behind this effect is the concept of mental models, which are cognitive frameworks. We use them to organize and interpret information within a particular domain.
For example, experts have more complex and accurate mental models within their expertise, allowing them to generate more insightful and innovative ideas. Imagine how experienced versus graduate scientists deal with complex issues in a specific domain differently.
Like depth, breadth of knowledge and expertise also matter. Broad knowledge and expertise across multiple domains, like polymaths, can enhance thinking by providing people with diverse perspectives and ideas.
People with broad knowledge and expertise can leverage a wider range of mental models and concepts when generating ideas and solutions, leading to innovative and creative thinking.
The mechanism behind this effect is the concept of analogical reasoning. It means we can create unique connections and apply concepts from one domain to another. I explained this in my article about combinatorial innovation.
For example, a designer with a technology, nutrition, and psychology background may create more innovative and effective products or services by leveraging principles and details from these three disciplines. I documented a case study for a polymath entrepreneur using combinatorial innovation.
Too much depth or breadth could be problematic. Therefore, finding the right balance between depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise can be critical for innovative thinking.
Too much depth in a single domain can lead to narrow thinking and tunnel vision. Likewise, too much breadth can lead to shallow thinking and a lack of depth in a critical domain.
The mechanism behind this effect is the concept of cognitive load. It means significant mental effort is required to process, integrate, and convey new information.
People who balance depth and breadth of knowledge and expertise can effectively manage cognitive load and generate more insightful and innovative ideas.
An expert with deep nutrition knowledge and a broad range of expertise in related fields such as health, fitness, and education may be able to identify new patterns and relationships that someone with less breadth would miss.
While expertise can be beneficial in generating high-quality ideas, it can also limit the ability to think beyond the box and explore new possibilities. Experts are more likely to rely on their pre-existing knowledge and patterns of thinking rather than exploring new and unconventional ideas.
Practical Solutions
Understanding these effects and finding the right balance between depth and breadth can help us effectively generate novel ideas within our expertise while leveraging broader perspectives from other domains.
We can generate novel ideas and create innovative solutions by engaging in interdisciplinary thinking, combining knowledge and ideas from different domains and disciplines using combinatorial innovation principles.
The key point is intentionally transcending disciplinary boundaries with experimentation, an open mind, and collaboration.
How I guided new inventors to create novel ideas
During the review process in the invention development teams, I noticed that new inventors, especially graduates, faced challenges in generating novel ideas because they relied on established ways of thinking or preexisting ideas and the risk of cognitive biases from formal education.
I also faced the same issue when I started as a novice. Therefore, I had empathy and compassion for beginners and did my best to support their growth which gave me tremendous delight and personal satisfaction.
The ability to think innovatively and generate novel and original ideas is essential for inventors to get patents and publish their inventive and innovative ideas to get credit for their intellectual property.
When mentoring junior inventors, I emphasized the importance of cultivating a growth mindset with openness, optimism, and curiosity, seeking feedback (both positive and negative) from others, and challenging their assumptions and preconceptions.
New inventors disliked negative criticism. I taught and encouraged them how to embrace it. More importantly, I helped inventors and innovators recognize their cognitive biases and guided them to overcome blindspots.
From a practical perspective, I highlighted the importance of group brainstorming, design thinking workshops, and enhanced collaboration (fusion). This led to synergy and serendipity to broaden their thinking and consider new possibilities they may not have thought of independently.
By understanding the mechanisms of cognitive biases and using techniques to overcome them, inventors improved their cognitive abilities and increased their chances of success at work.
Summary and Conclusions
The world has mediocre ideas more than novel ones because of cognitive biases, environmental factors, and limitations of expertise.
Understanding these factors and engaging in deliberate strategies to overcome them can enhance our creativity and generate more original ideas and innovative solutions.
The brain is wired to prioritize familiar information and patterns, making it difficult to generate original ideas. The primary reason is the brain’s reliance on cognitive heuristics, which are mental shortcuts. These shortcuts help us process information quickly and efficiently for survival.
Our tendency toward confirmation bias prefers preexisting beliefs or assumptions. Using techniques like brainstorming, challenging assumptions, and collaborating with others that break out of these cognitive patterns for creative thinking is necessary.
Brainstorming helps us generate many ideas quickly without filtering them. Challenging assumptions is great for exploring unconventional possibilities. Collaboration brings us different perspectives, helping to broaden our thinking and consider new possibilities.
Being aware of cognitive biases and actively striving to overcome them is crucial. Openness, optimism, and curiosity can create a facilitative environment for creative thinking and innovation. We can break out of established thinking and generate innovative ideas by embracing these mindsets and techniques.
Takeaways
1 — Be mindful of cognitive biases and limitations affecting your thinking.
2 — Understand how intellectual settings (your native environment) can influence your thinking to prevent unconscious biases.
3 — Consider leaving stale environments and joining new ones or creating unique environments that encourage creativity and independent thinking.
4 — Engage in interdisciplinary thinking by combining knowledge from different domains and disciplines, transcending disciplinary boundaries.
5 — Use combinatorial innovation principles to combine existing ideas in innovative ways and work in a flow state to integrate them.
6 — Find the right balance between depth and breadth to generate novel and creative ideas within your expertise.
7 — Go out of your comfort zone, take risks with an open mind and optimism to experiment sensibly and boldly.
8 — Seek diversity and inclusion by collaborating to generate novel ideas and unique solutions.
9 — Read literature from other fields and attend conferences outside your field to expose yourself to new ideas and gain insights and perspectives.
10 — Engage in intellectual and intuitive exercises to stimulate your brain and mind for metacognition and generate new ideas.
11 — Find mentors from different fields to gain new perspectives. Continuously learn and expand your knowledge with support from others.
12 — Watch your health by taking frequent breaks to rest and recharge. Be grateful for your achievements and celebrate them joyfully.
The key takeaway of this article is improving our cognitive abilities and reducing cognitive biases, creating a growth mindset, leveraging various techniques, and collaborating with others meaningfully.
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