The Creativity Suite. Episode 151: The artwork of disassuming
Interview with Leslie Shannon, Head of Pattern and Innovation Scouting at Nokia.
As Head of Pattern and Innovation Scouting at Nokia, Leslie Shannon’s job is to establish connectivity-related tech disruptions and alternatives, together with developments in robotics, drones, visible analytics, cloud gaming, generative AI. In a method she is an in-house futurist.
However once I requested her to explain what she does she mentioned: “I must continuously be questioning my assumptions.”
To her, a very powerful a part of the job is to not perceive all the brand new applied sciences rising, however to have the talent to revise her assumptions round what the way forward for the world will appear like.
She instructed me that she continuously evaluates her assumptions, and each six months she sits down for a significant overhaul of her basic assumptions.
The talent of reviewing one’s assumptions is as beneficial as it’s uncommon.
To have the center to re-evaluate one’s world view based mostly on new info, to dare to say out-loud that you just have been unsuitable, takes honesty and humility.
Let’s name this talent “The artwork of disassuming”.
To imagine is to suppose: “That is what I believe, based mostly on what I do know.”
To disassume is to suppose: “This is likely to be the place I’ve to vary my thoughts based mostly on what I just lately discovered”
To disassume is a made up phrase, but it surely’s a phrase we want, as a result of the observe of disassumption is a talent we want.
We particularly want this artwork after we are profitable.
Within the phrases of Leslie Shannon: “Success cements assumptions, and assumptions breed blindness.”
It’s really easy to suppose you know the way to do one thing when you have got been profitable doing simply that.
However the world modifications, and what was proper can now be unsuitable. (Leslie works for Nokia in spite of everything, an organization that learnt that the exhausting method.)
As a futurist within the quick altering world of digital communication, Leslie is a professional at disassuming. I requested her to share with me some strategies we are able to use to guarantee that our unsuitable assumptions don’t blind us.
She mentioned: “We have to continuously rethink the tales we inform ourselves. We have to cease, pause, take a step again and query your assumptions. An assumption, in spite of everything, is a factor that’s accepted as true or as sure to occur – with out proof.”
Leslie stresses that disassuming is a deliberate act, one thing you resolve to do.
She additionally gave us three insights on easy methods to develop an efficient disassuming mindset.
1) Open
Leslie: “The trick is to be continuously open, to be consciously open and to be purposely open.”
Open-mindedness is the anti-dote to getting caught in outdated assumptions.
2) Uncomfortable
Leslie: “Whenever you discover one thing that makes you uncomfortable, lean into it. Comply with the uncomfortable – it most likely signifies that the factor that’s making you uncomfortable is difficult your assumptions.”
Leslie shared how, when she was finding out new Generative AI tendencies, first assumed that the ability of the AI can be within the cloud and that it will be nice for community operators like Nokia, so when individuals began speaking concerning the prospects of Gen AI being run regionally on a telephone her first response was to dismiss it. However that uncomfortable feeling pushed her to re-assess her views on how Generative AI is likely to be serviced sooner or later.
3) Reminiscence
Leslie: “Keep in mind what you mentioned. So as to have the ability to reevaluate your assumptions you want to have the ability to evaluate the brand new assumptions to the previous. To only speak concerning the latest, newest factor is straightforward. To check your previous thought along with your new is more durable – but additionally extra beneficial. The longer term just isn’t a degree, it’s a vector.”
Leslie is effervescent with optimistic power after we speak, and I get a way that the power to problem your personal assumptions is not only a recipe for fulfillment, but additionally a recipe for happiness.
Her last phrases to me are profound: “What makes the observe of disassuming so tough is that our assumptions usually develop into a key a part of our identification. At any time when you end up considering, “I’m an individual who all the time/by no means . . .” – what follows isn’t really who you might be, it’s an assumption. “I’m an individual who by no means eats mangoes,” or “I’m an individual who all the time votes for this political occasion,” or “I’m an individual who will work at this employer for the remainder of my profession,” are all examples of assumptions that may preserve you from seeing new prospects, each in your self and on this planet round you. But these sorts of identification assumptions and the ensuing blindness that they create are essentially the most tough to overcome as a result of we really feel that the very core of who we’re is threatened if we query them.
You must ask your self, “Will who I actually am vanish ultimately if I eat a mango?” or “Will who I actually am vanish ultimately if I’m made redundant?” The reply is sort of all the time no, and it’s possible you’ll discover that mangoes are scrumptious and your subsequent job is much better than your final one. However you received’t know till you disassume even the issues that appear most central to who you “are”.”
A disassuming thoughts is in a acutely aware state of regularly questioning how one appears to be like on the world with the intention to change as quickly as that’s the proper factor to do.
We must be disassuming extra usually.
What assumptions might you eliminate in case you actively interact within the act of disassuming?
