Point of View Shift Is Worth 80 IQ Points
Out-of-the-box thinking is quite familiar. However, the idea that taking a different point of view can literally be worth as much as adding 80 points to your IQ takes this concept to a much higher level. This powerful insight, attributed to Alan Kay, suggests that shifting our perspective can dramatically enhance our problem-solving abilities and creative thinking, potentially rivaling the impact of a significant boost in raw intelligence.
First, let’s consider an example of the reverse: Blind, deaf and dumb – with ridiculously low IQs – is how the management at Xerox must have seemed to Alan Kay. Management was well educated, but they failed to see the vast market potential for the cutting edge technology that the small group of computer engineers at Xerox PARC had developed. This group of 20 smart scientists and engineers had created the technology that resulted in computer workstations (that inspired the Macintosh and Windows), Ethernet, network client-servers, graphical user interface (GUI), the Smalltalk programming language, desktop publishing, and laser printing. Yet, management just didn’t get it.
The only way Alan Kay could explain how management failed to recognize that each of these ideas represented a multi-million (and often billion) dollar market was with this insight about the power of perspective. From Kay’s point of view, the potential was obvious. But from management’s perspective, shaped by their existing business model and understanding of the market, these innovations seemed irrelevant or too risky to pursue.
This example illustrates how a shift in point of view can reveal opportunities that are invisible from another angle. The Xerox management, despite their education and intelligence, were constrained by their existing paradigms. They couldn’t see the potential that was clear to Kay and his colleagues because they were viewing the innovations through the lens of their current business model rather than imagining new possibilities.
Another striking example of the power of perspective shift comes from the world of logistics: Crazy is the first thing that comes to mind when someone says they will charge $15.00 for what you can get for 34¢. Yet, this is exactly what FedEx did. Fred Smith’s point of view shift was to make sure that mission critical documents could be delivered reliably overnight, and tracked as well. The concept behind FedEx seems obvious today, but at the time, people told Fred Smith he was completely nuts.
Smith’s perspective shift was to focus not on the cost of sending a package, but on the value of speed and reliability to businesses. He saw that for many companies, the ability to guarantee overnight delivery was worth far more than the actual cost of shipping. This shift in viewpoint allowed him to create an entirely new market category and build a multi-billion dollar company.
These examples demonstrate how a change in perspective can lead to breakthrough innovations and business models. But the power of point of view shifts isn’t limited to grand, industry-changing ideas. It can be applied in everyday problem-solving and decision-making to yield better results.
You can use point of view shifts to help level the playing field when competing with very smart people in your marketplace. Even if you don’t have the highest IQ in the room, adopting a unique perspective can give you an edge. It allows you to see opportunities and solutions that others might miss, regardless of their raw intelligence.
Here’s how to apply this concept to your business: Open your mind to the shifts that are possible. Think about how each insight you encounter could apply to your specific situation. Ask yourself: How can I shift the point of view from this insight to add to my results? Don’t edit, and don’t be afraid of crazy answers. Sometimes the craziest answers lead to the biggest breakthroughs.
One way to practice perspective shifting is to deliberately adopt different viewpoints when analyzing a problem or opportunity. For example:
- Customer perspective: Instead of thinking about what you want to sell, try to deeply understand what your customers truly need or desire. What problems are they trying to solve? What aspirations do they have?
- Competitor perspective: Put yourself in your competitors’ shoes. How might they view the market? What strengths and weaknesses do they see in your offering?
- Future perspective: Imagine yourself five or ten years in the future looking back. What decisions or actions would you wish you had taken today?
- Outsider perspective: If someone from a completely different industry looked at your business, what would they see? What practices from their field might be applicable to yours?
- Constraint removal: What if the main constraint in your business suddenly disappeared? How would that change your approach?
- Reverse assumptions: Take the core assumptions in your industry and reverse them. What if the opposite were true? How would that change your strategy?
By regularly practicing these perspective shifts, you can train your mind to be more flexible and creative. Over time, this can become a habit, allowing you to automatically consider multiple viewpoints when faced with a challenge or opportunity.
It’s important to note that the value of perspective shifts isn’t just in coming up with novel ideas. It’s also about developing a deeper, more nuanced understanding of your business and its environment. By looking at things from multiple angles, you can identify potential pitfalls, uncover hidden opportunities, and make more informed decisions.
Moreover, cultivating the ability to shift perspectives can make you a more effective leader and collaborator. It enhances empathy, allowing you to better understand and communicate with colleagues, customers, and partners who may have different viewpoints. This skill can be particularly valuable in negotiations, problem-solving sessions, and when managing diverse teams.
However, it’s crucial to remember that while perspective shifts can be incredibly powerful, they should be balanced with critical thinking and practical considerations. Not every crazy idea will be viable, and it’s important to evaluate the insights gained from different viewpoints against real-world constraints and opportunities.
In conclusion, the idea that a point of view shift can be worth 80 IQ points is a powerful reminder of the importance of flexible thinking in business and innovation. By cultivating the ability to see things from multiple perspectives, we can enhance our problem-solving abilities, uncover new opportunities, and compete more effectively, even against those who might have higher raw intelligence.
This approach encourages us to challenge our assumptions, think beyond conventional wisdom, and imagine new possibilities. Whether you’re a startup entrepreneur trying to disrupt an industry or a manager in a large corporation seeking to innovate, the ability to shift your point of view can be a game-changing skill.
Remember, some of the most successful businesses and innovations in history came from individuals who saw the world differently. They didn’t necessarily have the highest IQs, but they had the ability to shift their perspective and see opportunities where others saw only challenges or the status quo.
So, the next time you’re faced with a difficult problem or are seeking new opportunities, try consciously shifting your point of view. You might be surprised at the insights and ideas that emerge. After all, a simple change in perspective could be worth more than a significant boost in IQ when it comes to solving problems and driving innovation.
