Take something you’ve been polishing and share it at 80% done. Tell the recipient: “This isn’t finished — I’d rather get your input now than perfect it alone.” Notice how much faster you move.
i2 Insights: Skill Categories
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Picture It First
Before your next meeting, close your eyes for 60 seconds and mentally walk through the ideal outcome. What does success look, sound, and feel like? Write down one detail that surprised you.
Hold Your First Instinct Lightly
When you feel drawn to a solution in the first 5 minutes of a discussion, write it on a sticky note — then set it aside. Spend the next 15 minutes exploring at least two alternatives before you look at it again.
Ask What’s Behind the Ask
The next time someone makes a request or states an opinion, ask: “What’s driving that for you?” You’ll often discover the real need is different from what was said.
Hold the Tension a Little Longer
When your team starts gravitating toward a “good enough” compromise, ask: “Are we settling, or are we solving?” Give the real tension five more minutes before resolving it.
Edit for Clarity, Not Completeness
Take a document, presentation, or email you’re working on. Remove 30% of the content. Does the core message actually get clearer? If yes, send the shorter version.
Catch Your Default
Before making a decision, pause and ask: “Am I choosing this because it’s the best option, or because it’s the most familiar?” Write down one bias that might be at play.
Challenge With Curiosity
Pick one idea in a meeting that everyone seems to agree on. Ask: “What would need to be true for this to fail?” Frame it as genuine curiosity, not opposition.
Name Your Biggest Bet
Write down the one assumption your current project depends on most. Now ask yourself: “If this turned out to be wrong, what would I do differently?”
Stay in the Search
The next time you feel the itch to decide, pause and say: “What haven’t we considered yet?” Give yourself one more round of exploration before committing.