Leaders Letter 189 - This Is Not The Way - Unleashing Creativity: An Interview with Author Andy Reid
New Book This Is Not The Way Is Now Available
Dear leaders, this week I have a special interview with the author of This Is Not The Way, Andy Reid.
Andy Reid is the founder of Genius Box who help companies big and small address company issues from creating North Stars to creating or optimising company strategies.
In this interview, I ask Andy 6 questions:
Your new book aka anti-manual “This is not the way” is a mass of knowledge and learnings from your successful career of change making, why an anti-manual and why now?
You have helped many well-known and upcoming companies move their businesses forward, who are the best people to get into the room to create the most effective company-wide strategy?
You interviewed a number of smart strategic operators and facilitators (not just because I was involved) and curated a number of actionable insights. What surprises or new approaches have inspired you to improve your workshops?
You have suggested brainstorming don’t work - what's the best alternative in getting the best ideas and concepts out of colleagues?
Many companies always problem-solve the same way or mimicking how they’ve always done it - what’s the best way to problem-solve with your decades of experience?
What’s the best piece of wisdom you can share from your anti-manual?
The Interview
I am also interviewed in the book:
I offer my insights around company strategy is baking a better cake,
How to thrive in workshops
Who to bring into workshops (hint not just the leadership teams but never overload strategy is too many opinions, analysis and time to step out and create the compass is critical).
Here’s my section
Here’s The Learnings Broken Down
In a world where business books often provide high-level strategies and case studies, Andy Reid's new book, "This Is Not The Way (The Anti Manual)" takes a refreshing approach rather than the usual approach.
Andy dives into the motivations behind the book, the importance of innovation, and practical tips for driving creative change within organizations. Andy’s insights and discover how you can become a fantastic creative facilitator alongside several experts interviewed including me.
Why an anti-manual and why now?
Andy recognizes that existing business books often lack actionable tactics for turning strategies into real-world actions. With "This Is Not The Way," he aims to bridge that gap by providing tools, language, examples, and stories that empower individuals to align and excite their colleagues around a new organizational narrative. This book is a treasure trove of knowledge and learnings from Andy’s successful career as a change-maker. Whether you're looking for inspiration or tactical guidance, "This Is Not The Way" has something for you.
The importance of getting the right people in the room
When creating an effective company-wide strategy, Andy emphasizes the need for individuals willing to embark on a challenging yet rewarding journey. Making change happen requires tearing down old rules, which are often met with resistance. The best strategists and facilitators are storytellers who can flexibly explain the vision and inspire others to follow. It's also crucial to involve senior leaders who have a line of sight on the business, as their insights are invaluable.
Surprises and new approaches to improve workshops
Andy interviewed several smart strategic operators and facilitators for his book, he discovered that creative techniques have been around for thousands of years. What may seem familiar to him is often new and valuable to others. Incorporating experiments, stories, tools, and techniques into workshops injects novelty and creates tremendous value for the participants. By encouraging everyone to share their thinking and building upon each other's ideas, workshops become collaborative and productive.
Say goodbye to brainstorming?!?
Brainstorming has long been hailed as a creative technique, but Andy challenges its effectiveness. Our minds often shut down when forced to generate ideas on the spot. Instead, he suggests providing a clear brief and allowing people time to incubate their thoughts. In facilitated sessions, starter thoughts can be shared, and participants can build upon them. By creating an environment that welcomes all ideas without judgment and capturing them consistently, teams can foster better idea generation and capture.
Innovative problem-solving strategies
To solve problems effectively, Andy advocates for injecting 10% of difference and newness into every endeavour. The brief can provide stimuli for thinking differently while changing the environment can spark imagination.
An example Andy shares is using a musical metaphor for a project called "Project Allegro," which allowed the team to design activities and tools that connected to the client's need for a new perspective. The key is to embrace new approaches and avoid striving for perfection, as progress is often more valuable.
The wisdom within the "Anti Manual"
Through his interviews with various professionals, one consistent message emerged for Andy – the importance of providing a safe space for people to share their thoughts and ideas. Creating an environment of psychological safety encourages individuals to be themselves and embrace their unique styles.
Stories play a significant role in conveying information and inspiring change. By valuing safety, personal style, and storytelling, leaders can pave the way for a new creative era.
This Is Not The Way Conclusion:
Andy's book, "This Is Not The Way: The Anti Manual," is more than just another business guide. It's a call to action, challenging the traditional approach to organizational change and encouraging individuals to become fantastic creative facilitators.
By implementing the practical tips and insights shared in this interview, you can unlock your creative potential and drive real change within your organization. Embrace the power of innovation, storytelling, and collaboration, and let your creativity flourish.
This week focus on moving your business forward by learning to do things differently, and refresh your strategy by embracing another approach.
I highly recommend the anti-manual for executive teams.
Have a great week and I will land in your inbox next week,
Thanks,
Danny Denhard