The Surprising Power Of Not Knowing What To Do: Discovering Creativity and Compassion in a Time of Chaos

by Jay Gordon Cone, Alan Rinzler (Editor), Leslie Tilley (Editor)

"The Surprising Power of Not Knowing What to Do" is like a fitness regimen for your mind. The book explores the counterintuitive idea that being at a loss for what to do is an opportunity, not a problem. You will learn how to develop the mental stamina to deal with your most daunting challenges. You will discover strategies for accessing insights and options when you feel stuck. Most importantly, you will gain renewed faith in the possibility of a more creative and compassionate future.

190 pages, Paperback

Published January 7, 2021

Reviews

[Cara Wood]

I read this as part of an at-work discussion group and found it useful for starting conversations about company culture, new approaches to problem-solving and creative challenges facing teams.
But as a complete framework and standalone argument, it was lacking. Dr. Jay Cone sets out with a interesting enough challenge - how we tend to make bad decisions to avoid change or prolonged uncertainty, aka emotional barriers. He then provides 4 approach to problem-solving that largely center around scoping the problem in an inclusive way that will address all blindsides. While it is true that fully understanding a problem can get you closer to the solution, when I finished this I wanted additional strategies and examples that address choosing and evaluating solutions and implementing the organizational change they require.

[Raju Chacko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is for leaders and managers everywhere. In a world bombarded by changes of many kinds (climate change, technology advances, pandemics, etc.), workplaces are feeling the impact too. Often, leaders/managers are faced with obstinate problems that defy every solution they know, so they find themselves “stuck.” Yet, their gut feel is there is a solution—one that appears far away but is right in front... Yes, you're right, the solution is right in front, but hidden. Read this invaluable book to find and uncover the “blind spots” in your problem situation. With the light turned on, you’ll see everything clearly and in detail, and finding solutions has suddenly become a cakewalk!