Levels of Thinking
Know how you are thinking
Recognising your current thinking level is the first step to thinking about a problem differently.
Three tests to identify when a situation calls for levels 3 and 4 thinking
There is a real paradox where both options are valid and needed. Ask yourself, “Are we genuinely grappling with how to do two important but apparently mutually exclusive things?”
Unless we think differently, we are likely to end up sabotaging ourselves and achieving sub-optimal results. Our old way of thinking is just not good enough.
There is an opportunity to develop myself and/or my team by raising our levels of thinking.
When Level 4 Thinking is not appropriate
Some choices are just too small. It’s not worth investing the time and effort because the potential gain is marginal.
A level 4 solution might be possible, but it might take too long to realize it, and spending too much time on it might be damaging at the cost of focusing on other things.
A level 4 answer may present itself and may not be the best action; for example, it may require too significant an investment.
