Look at your current to-do list. Cross out everything that’s urgent but not important. What’s left? That’s where your attention should go.
i2 Insights: Skill Categories
Test your innovation skills
Get a random reflection prompt, a quick action to try today, or a "this or that" dilemma to see how you compare to others. Each one takes 30 seconds and is based on the i2 skills framework.
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Treat It Like a Hypothesis
Reframe your best idea as a hypothesis: “We believe that [X] will result in [Y] for [Z].” Does it still feel as certain when you write it that way?
Test Before You Build
Take the newest idea on your plate. Write down the one thing that must be true for it to work. Now design the smallest, fastest way to check whether it’s actually true.
Follow the Surprise
Review recent feedback, data, or results. Find one thing that surprised you — and instead of explaining it away, spend 15 minutes exploring why it happened.
Design the Conversation
Before your next group meeting, spend 5 minutes thinking about the structure. Who speaks first? What question opens the discussion? How will you make sure quieter voices are heard?
Let Your Idea Be Wrong
Share an early-stage idea and explicitly invite criticism. Say: “I’d love to hear what’s weak about this.” Notice how much easier it is to improve an idea when you’re not defending it.
Listen Like a Journalist
In your next one-on-one, pretend you’re interviewing the other person for a story. Focus only on understanding their experience. Don’t offer advice. Just ask follow-up questions.
Listen to Learn, Not to Win
In your next conversation, count how many times you start formulating your response while the other person is still talking. Each time you catch yourself, reset and refocus on their words.
Disagree With Curiosity
The next time someone says something you disagree with, replace “I don’t think so” with “Help me understand how you see it.” Treat their view as data, not a debate point.
Agree on the Problem First
Before jumping into solutions in your next meeting, ask the group: “Can someone describe the problem we’re solving in one sentence?” Don’t move on until everyone nods.