Josh Linkner's Blog, page 6

How a Forced Experiment Led to a Faster Commute

When news of the labor strike broke, commuters were furious. London’s Underground, affectionately known as the “tube”, is the subway system responsible for transporting millions to their destination each day. So when some routes were shut down during the 2014 strike, commuters were forced to find alternative ways to get to work.

Since Underground passengers are required to swipe their access cards when both entering and leaving the system, researchers were able to analyze the data to determine w...

A Five-Minute Morning Ritual to Radically Boost Your Creativity

These days, there are more tips for your morning routine than there are menu items at your local diner (I’ll take the artisanal, gluten-free, low-carb, egg white and seared free-range, low-sodium pomegranate frittata sandwich, please). Rituals to boost your energy, metabolic health, mindfulness, and peak performance abound, but could you also set up your day to optimize something as squishy as human creativity?

Over the last 20 years, I’ve spent thousands of hours researching how creativity is c...

Busting the Five Myths of Creativity

Mention the word creativity, and people begin to squirm in their chairs. The very thought can prompt anxiety, fear, and doubt — even in the most accomplished professionals.

At the same time, we know that innovation is mission-critical in these disruptive times. As many competitive advantages of the past have become automated or outsourced, creative problem solving and inventive thinking have become essential to driving growth and sustainable success. The COVID crisis has forced us all to adapt t...

Overpromise

We’ve heard it a hundred times. “Under-promise, and over-deliver.” It’s one of those truisms that appears indisputable, right up with “the customer is always right” and “the early bird gets the worm.” But as one who enjoys balking traditional approaches, I respectfully disagree.

To me, this false wisdom encourages mediocrity. It grants permission to make small, flaccid commitments and then gleefully celebrate delivering them. The very nature of the argument suggests holding back on achievements ...

The Math of Worrying

Think about how much time you spend fretting about what might happen.  Those deer-in-the-headlights moments are not only agonizing but they are profoundly unproductive. With each minute you spend in a state of worry, you’re robbing yourself of the opportunity to contribute to your own success and the world around you.

The funny thing about worrying is that the vast majority of concerns never materialize. Stewing about what might happen if a client changes her mind was wasted time when in the end...

The 7 Sins of Mediocrity

Since ancient times, we’ve been fascinated with the seven deadly sins that lead people astray. Gluttony, greed, and lust (among others) have certainly been the downfall of many. But lurking in the shadows lie traps just as sinister. While less overtly treacherous, these sins befall most of us at various times in our lives. They may not bring us to the ground, but they lead us to the dark place of mediocrity. Instead of succumbing, we can rise above to the rarified air of champions. Let’s keep th...

The Anatomy of an Idea

We often think of human creativity as an act of wizardry; a mythical talent bestowed upon a select few directly from the heavens. But I prefer a more scientistic approach.

Instead of waiting around for a lightning bolt of creative genius, let’s dissect an idea in the same way you dissected that formaldehyde-soaked toad in Mrs. Franklin’s 9th grade biology class. Putting ideation under a microscope allows us to better understand – and develop – the creative process.

Getting scientific for a momen...

39 Quotes on Innovation, Creativity, and Performance

As we work to learn, grow, and thrive, let’s learn from the legends. Here are 39 of my favorite quotations from the giants of business, art, music, and innovation. I hope you guzzle and share these powerful nuggets of wisdom…

The post 39 Quotes on Innovation, Creativity, and Performance appeared first on Josh Linkner.

Becoming Backable

Getting someone to take a chance on you is one of the most important steps to achieving success in both business and life. Yet mastering the art of persuasion is often overlooked and misunderstood.

Alexander Fleming, the inventor of penicillin, was especially bad at communicating his discovery, despite it being one of the most important scientific advances in history. As a result, over 10 years were wasted and millions of lives lost because Fleming lacked the skills of persuasion. In contrast, t...

How Tiny Bubbles Led to a $28 Billion Cost Savings

Each year, over 50,000 large vessels travel the oceans to move people and cargo through the turbulent seas. While a solid ship gliding through malleable water should be… well… smooth sailing, it turns out that intersection between vessel and water is anything but smooth. As the giant metal structures plow through the ocean, friction and drag are expensive obstacles to overcome. To conquer these hostile conditions, the average ocean liner burns over $7.5 million in fuel each year, which helps nei...