Shared Thinking
Shared Thinking is the intentional act of partnering with other people to take your ideas from good to great.
How does it work?
John Maxwell leverages Shared Thinking in a number of ways, but one of his most consistent practices is with his books. At the beginning stages of every book John writes, he assembles a team of people around a table, and he presents them with his thesis and rough chapter outline. Then, John turns the team loose to help him make the book better.
These people then spend hours kicking around the validity of John’s thesis, the structure of his outline, potential titles, suggested changes, and anything else that will serve John’s purpose of writing the best book he can possibly write.
At the end of their time together, John and his team have come up with dozens of new or interesting ideas, several refinements to existing ideas, and on many occasions some ideas that need to be completely discarded.
Why?
Because one person isn’t as smart as many people. That’s the value of Shared Thinking. It provides…
- Perspective – Others help you see what you can’t see on your own.
- Understanding – Others help you discover someone else’s experience.
- Teaching – Others help you lean into their expertise.
Shared Thinking in action:
Psychological studies show that shared vision plays a major role in leadership effectiveness, engagement, and citizenship – and it has a physical effect on us as well. Shared Thinking invokes neural networks and hormonal systems that help us open up to new ideas and others’ opinions.
One study showed that members of a team were more engaged if they had a high degree of shared vision and thinking within the team. Another study demonstrated in healthcare facilities that physicians were more likely to be seen as effective leaders when they demonstrated a higher degree of shared vision and thinking in their relationships with the rest of the staff and facility administrators.
Do it now:
Consider this statement and make it a priority to approach problem solving and thinking with this in mind: “Everyone can teach me something.”
Wise words on Shared Thinking:
“One is too small a number to achieve significance. That is true in action and that is true in thinking.” – John C. Maxwell
Keep Moving Forward!
If you have any questions or comments you can email me at
Recent Posts
HABITUAL HAPPINESS
In Habitual Happiness, you will find out what happiness is – and what it isn’t.
You’ll discover why happiness is essential to your life and learn seven habits that, once adopted, will create happiness in your life.
We aren’t worried about the destination here, we are focusing on the path.
Happiness will become that path in ways that will change your life forever.
Sounds pretty exciting, doesn’t it? Let’s get started!
