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Try this today

Mini Activity / Insight

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.

Cut to What Counts

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.

Design a Small Experiment

Pick one assumption you’re making about your users, customers, or audience. Write down what data would prove it wrong. Now figure out how to get that data this week.

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.

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?

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?

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.

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.