Own Your Combo Platter: How Your Unique Experiences Fuel Innovation

A few posts into this blog, I started to worry. Was I just stating the obvious? Then my friend Peter reminded me of something called the "curse of knowledge," a cognitive bias that makes it hard to imagine what it's like not to know something we know. When you go to a dinner party, it's probably easy to remember that you're the only one there who knows anything about how snails reproduce or how dams are built. But when your expertise is broader, encompassing the kind of strategic thinking and problem-solving that applies across many fields, it's easy to fall prey to the curse.

The truth is, everyone has a unique "combo platter" of experiences that shapes their thinking. I spent my childhood in Austin long before it was the trendy tech hub it is today. I worked in a psychiatric hospital, lived on a kibbutz in Israel, was a newspaper reporter, and ran political campaigns for nearly a decade. That's my combo platter. Do you know anyone else with that exact configuration of experiences? Probably not.

And that's the point. These experiences, yours and mine, influence how we see the world, how we solve problems, and how we generate ideas. They provide us with a unique set of mental models, rules of thumb, and metaphors that others don't have. This is where expertise comes in. It's not about having all the answers, but rather about having a unique lens, honed by years of experience and diverse engagement, through which to view the challenges and opportunities in front of you.

Now, I'm not suggesting that everyone's opinion is equally valid. There's a difference between having an opinion and having informed judgment. Those of us who have spent years wrestling with complex problems, navigating diverse landscapes, and accumulating a wealth of knowledge, have earned the right to have our voices heard. We have a responsibility to share our hard-won insights.

And yet, even seasoned experts can fall prey to self-doubt. We get so caught up in our own thoughts that we don't realize how valuable our perspectives can be to others. When I wrap up a project, I always ask my clients for a testimonial. And I'm always surprised by what they say. They often highlight aspects of my thinking that I take for granted, things I don't even realize are unique or helpful.

So, how do we break free from the curse of knowledge and unleash the power of our unique perspectives?

First, take stock of your experiences. Make a list of all the things you've done, researched, and explored. Don't hold back. Include everything from your formal education and professional experiences to your hobbies, travels, and personal interests. Next, reflect on what you've learned from each of those experiences. What are the key takeaways? What are the most important lessons you've learned? Finally, own your combo platter. These are the ingredients that make your thinking distinct and valuable. Bring it confidently into every brainstorming session, every meeting, every conversation.

You know things that others don't. You have a unique perspective to offer. And that perspective is essential for generating truly innovative and remarkable ideas.