Cross-Pollination - Vol. 5

Making seemingly random connections across disciplines...
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*Hyperlinks contained within. Please make sure you jump into these rabbit holes!

The Three Thinkers

- The Linear Thinker
- The Design Thinker
- The Systems Thinker

While some may boast of being the third, in this short post, Houda Boulahbel briefly summarizes why ALL three are necessary and why they must work together.
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Peloton Formations

An excellent collection of pieces from Richard Martin discussing organizational and team dynamics through the lens of road cycling.

"The world needs responsive organisations. Companies that are agile and adaptive, responding to changes in context and circumstances. 

In professional cycling, the peloton is fluid. It moves towards its destination with common purpose. Yet roles shift within the peloton as a whole, and within each team, dependent on terrain, conditions and the individual cyclists themselves. 

Each team will have slightly different objectives on each day of racing. This affects the roles each rider takes on. Sometimes they will lead. On other occasions, they will be in service of their teammates. 

As in a hierarchical company, the roles may largely stay the same, but the riders in the peloton move fluidly from one role to another rather than being constrained by a single one. They are leaders, followers, technical experts. They are climbers, sprinters, rouleurs, puncheurs and baroudeurs. 

​This is network working. Your node lights up and people, energy, ideas and leadership responsibilities flow to you. Then another node lights up, and you take on a different role in service of its goals. The network remains a hierarchy, but it is one in a constant state of flux."

Martin's writings here are reminiscent of the dynamic interplay of leadership, autonomy, communication, teamwork and specific skillsets in professional hockey. Not only within the team of players, but also within the medical and performance staff, and amongst the entire operations staff as a whole. 

Searchlight Intelligence

"The ability to discern connections across spheres, bringing people and ideas together, where others see no possible connection."

A skill possessed by "The Neo-Generalist," as per Mikkelsen and Martin. If you appreciated David Epstein's "Range", this book will resonate well with you.

Your Idea Is Not That Important

No one is going to steal your idea (Marc Randolph). Your idea likely isn't even original. It's a thought you likely weren't even aware of or perhaps a product of, of course, "cross pollination."  

The outcome of "the idea" is the process that transforms within. The end result is who you become and what you've learned. 

Share your idea. Embrace criticism. Accept feedback.

Stop Thinking. Start Doing.