Operating Principle

2–4 min read

Outsiders See What Insiders Have Stopped Noticing

Outsiders See What Insiders Have Stopped Noticing

Outsiders See What Insiders Have Stopped Noticing

Outsiders can question assumptions insiders have stopped noticing.

Outsiders can question assumptions insiders have stopped noticing.

Outsiders can question assumptions insiders have stopped noticing.

Functional fixedness makes deep familiarity obscure unconventional possibilities.

Functional fixedness makes deep familiarity obscure unconventional possibilities.

Functional fixedness makes deep familiarity obscure unconventional possibilities.

Functional fixedness makes deep familiarity obscure unconventional possibilities.

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Operating Question

What assumption, incentive, capability, or handoff is determining whether this innovation can progress?

What assumption, incentive, capability, or handoff is determining whether this innovation can progress?

What assumption, incentive, capability, or handoff is determining whether this innovation can progress?

Why It Matters

Functional fixedness makes deep familiarity obscure unconventional possibilities.

Supporting Evidence

Karl Duncker; Frans Johansson, “The Medici Effect”.

Research Notes

Match the innovation approach to uncertainty, capital intensity, and the stage of commercialization.

Practical Actions

Include outsiders; pair them with experts; surface unexamined assumptions.

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