Are you trapped in old ways of thinking?

To paraphrase Mark Twain: there are no such things as new ideas, but rather lots of old ideas, which, mixed up and seen from different perspectives, result in new and interesting combinations. 

In management, many “innovative” ideas, tips, rules and habits are, in fact, nothing new. But that doesn’t mean they should be taken for granted. As managers, we all need to set aside time for reflection – time to question, at a fundamental level, whether our ingrained habits and assumptions might be overdue for a rethink.

Whether it’s how to handle negative emotions, the importance of clear communication or the role of biases and assumptions in decision-making, all experienced managers have an answer for how to approach these situations. But as times change and new challenges arise, a fresh approach is required if managers are to thrive, rather than merely survive.

A new book from Jo Owen CMgr CCMI, Smart Thinking: How to live, think and work even better, tackles many of the most common ‘thinking’ challenges that can derail even the best-laid plans and intentions of managers. It shows how habits like positive thinking, good routines and being more self-aware in decision-making can improve both our personal and our working lives.

Below are four tips from Jo’s book that can help you take your management practice up a notch.

• Why logic alone doesn’t win arguments

1. Avoid thinking traps 

When faced with big decisions, being aware of assumptions and biases helps us to avoid potential “thinking traps”. This understanding of how people make decisions allows managers to be more influential. People tend to eschew rationality (as Jo writes in an article for CMI), so managers should frame ideas and pitches to resonate emotionally, too, with the people you need to convince.