Everyone has had the experience of a striking insight that comes out of nowhere, yet almost instantly clarifies or resolves a seemingly intractable problem. Moments of insight are the basis of an enduring, unusual, and differentiated strategy, a breakthrough invention, or the commitment to a high-aspiration goal. Curiously, these insights generally occur in the shower, on vacation, while running, or on waking, but disappointingly, not during the pressure of a normal workday when they are, perhaps, most needed.

During the past 15 years we developed and applied an approach, which we call Insight Thinking Methods (ITM) that enables individuals, alone or in teams, to precipitate higher-quality insights with greater frequency and in the business setting. We applied the methods primarily to formulating business strategy and solving vexing problems that had persisted for a long time and defied previous attempts at solution. With the use of ITM, managers report having more fresh ideas and better business judgment. They are less likely to make mistakes, and are more able to understand and appreciate the new ideas of others and to help others think more clearly.

ITM appears to have widespread and almost limitless application. Through its use, remarkable breakthroughs in business results have been generated in a fraction of the time normally required.

Insight Thinking Methods (ITM)

Insight Thinking Methods (ITM) capitalizes on the simple fact that everyone has the innate ability to have insights.  The methods promote a significant increase in the frequency and reliability of their occurrence through the use of three basic ideas.

1. Sharpen your understanding of what an insight is and where it comes from. It’s easier to find something when you know what you’re looking for and where/how to direct the "search."

2. Pay attention to state of mind. There is a quiet, unpressured state that is most conducive to having an insight. Though this state can be active or inactive, you’re more likely to find an insight when it’s active.

3. Make finding insights important — a priority over other demands on attention — and form the discipline of deliberately and mindfully seeking them. It’s easier to find insights when you actually look for them rather than rely on stumbling upon them, provided you don’t "push" your thinking to find them as suggested in the previous point.

There are many ways of applying these basic ideas. As a general guideline, the first and second are often accomplished through education in the form of individual lessons or group classes that generally include lectures and exercises. These experiences enable people to learn to listen for and identify the presence of an insight in themselves and in others; to identify and gravitate toward their own, personal “insight state of mind”; and to practice both using real issues. The third idea is usually addressed with coached, real-time practice at uncovering insights on an active issue, either individually or as a team.

An example of how ITM is applied can be found in the resources section (see Application Methods).