What Got Us Here Won’t Be What Gets Us Where We Need to Go

The sixth principle of priorities that I explore in my book, Priority is Action is that the methods, tools, and other approaches used to achieve our initial success will almost never work to get us to further and greater success in the future. Thus, we need to have the humility to admit we don’t have all the answers, and the curiosity to try new things.

Success in the future very often requires different methods from those that were successful in the past. As such, it is crucial for us to explore new and improved strategies to achieve greater success in the future. We should not hesitate to question our assumptions and be open to embracing change.

Using the Scientific Method instead of the non-Scientific "What If"

Successfully navigating the future requires us to embrace new and innovative strategies that are distinct from those that were successful in the past. Instead of relying on intuition, hindsight, and anecdotal evidecne, adopting a scientific approach to decision-making can help organizations build a culture of continual learning and foster innovation. In this blog post, we will delve into the benefits of embracing a scientific approach, how to implement it, and how it can lead to greater success in the future.

The traditional approach to decision-making is based on great experience and gut instinct.

However, in today's era of rapid technological change, this approach will no longer guarantee success. To counter this, organizations must consider adopting a more scientific method for decision-making. This involves developing hypotheses, rigorous testing, and sound experimentation to validate ideas.

By implementing a scientific approach, organizations can bring new solutions, leadership, and ideas to the table.

This approach promotes data-driven decision making and innovation, enabling companies to adapt in real-time to evolving situations and maintain a competitive edge. The scientific method ensures objectivity in decision-making and provides clear accountability for the outcomes of each action taken.

Furthermore, the scientific method fosters a culture of learning and agility within the organization. It encourages employees to take calculated risks and learn from their mistakes, creating an environment where innovation thrives and experimentation is encouraged. Instead of being afraid to bring new ideas to the table, a culture that embraces the scientific method leading to a culture that inspires fresh thinking and better outcomes.

One of the significant contributions of this approach is the promotion of transparency and easy communication at all levels of the organization.

By encouraging teams to test their hypotheses rigorously, progress can be tracked far more efficiently. Everyone in the organization can understand the underlying assumptions behind decisions taken, making it easier to collaborate and make collective decisions in the future.

Furthermore, the scientific approach ensures that decisions are based on data rather than biased influences. Instead of relying solely on insights from experienced personnel or those in positions of power, the emphasis is on merit-based decisions. This approach promotes accountability and fairness and can improve employee morale, trust, and satisfaction within the organization.

The scientific approach offers a more nuanced and precise approach to decision-making than traditional methods based on hindsight and intuition. Accurately implementing a scientific approach not only provides a basis for sound decision-making, but it also builds a culture that prioritizes innovative thinking and fosters creativity. Organizations that embrace this approach will be better equipped to adapt to change, create value, and position themselves for success in the future.

In the next edition, we're going to keep looking at the sixth principle of priorities: that success in the future doesn't always look like success in the past.