According to today's review, if you 'Think Like A Freak' then you may gain a head start over your Caribbean competitors and improve your Bahamian business success.
In their book 'Think Like A Freak' by Steven Levitt, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago and Stephen Dubner, an award-winning author, journalist and TV personality; they suggest that by challenging conventional wisdom and using data rather than emotion to answer questions, you can achieve so much more.
To demonstrate this the authors quote some bizarre examples including how the techniques of a Japanese hot-dog-eating champion can help you and the reason why an Australian doctor swallowed a batch of dangerous bacteria -- winning the Nobel Prize in the process -- to prove it's bacteria, not stress that causes stomach ulcers. My favorite is David Lee Roth of the rock band Van Halen with his 53-page list of concert technical and security requirements. One specifies that "M&Ms WARNING: Absolutely no brown ones" and upon arrival at any venue, Dave religiously checks the jar. The reason being that if he finds any, he then knows that the promoter hasn't read the document properly and that he needs to check that other key details haven't been missed.
Using the authors findings I have summarized the six key steps to 'Think Like A (Nassau Guardian) Freak' for a new Bahamian approach to solving problems that includes:
1. Being cautious of your long established moral values because it's hard to see a problem clearly if you've already decided what to do.
2. Learn to say "I don't know" because until you can admit this, it's virtually impossible to learn what you need to know.
3. Think like a child because you'll come up with better ideas, questions and be more inquisitive.
4. Master using incentives as they encourage people to work with you.
5. Learn to influence people because simply being right is rarely enough.
6. Learn to appreciate the value of quitting and abandoning things that don't work.
The freakishly compelling conclusion is that most of our personal and business limits are habitual and self-imposed. It therefore takes considerable courage to learn who we are and summon the effort needed to change without getting freaked-out! But you would be mad not to at least try.
'Think Like a Freak' by Levitt & Dunner and published by William Morrow.
Keith Appleton JR., BA (Horns), N.Dip.M, Minstrel has extensive experience within an academic, managerial and strategic leadership role. He is a member of the UK Institute of Leadership & Management and can be contacted at Keraterpeton@Homerian.co.uk.
Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian
