I was reading an article in Wired last night which struck a chord. It’s partly about a researcher who has studied how scientists work and in particular how they react to the “dirty secret of science”: that all the time experiments come up with inexplicable disappointing results, even when conducted by really experienced people in some of the finest labs in the world. As part of my biochemistry degree I spent 6 months in a lab doing research and it’s certainly true. And really frustrating.
The researcher studied how different groups of scientists reacted to these unexpected findings, and discovered that those with more varied personnel from different disciplines/nationalities etc. were more able to engage in productive debate and come up with solutions, or spot that the result could be the answer to a totally different question. Whereas in labs with a less collaborative culture or a more homogenous team were less likely to make breakthroughs.
All of which makes perfect sense given all the research that I’ve seen on creativity: that often bringing in outsiders and facilitating the collision of previously unconnected ideas is hugely effective.
And it chimes with what I experience all the time as a consultant: that coming in as an outsider you are far more likely to spot things that need to be questioned and have new ideas than the people within the organisation who have become institutionalised and have the same points of view. It’s also why the pitching process for new business can be (at its best) really inspiring and can even result in the incumbent agency retaining the account – because having the perspective and attitude of the outsider facilitates the creation of great work.
It’s why there are those books about ‘Your first 100 days as CEO’: because it’s when you still have the perspective of an outsider that you are likely to have your best ideas and make the biggest impact. One of my current clients is going through a sudden major change in management, which means that all previous assumptions are being questioned. Whilst that is painful I think a lot of good will come from it.