In their article, “A Problem-Solver’s Gide to Copycatting”, authors Dan and Chip Heath, argue that bringing together an amalgamation of minds is advantageous because the problem you face may be trivial to another. They tell of a Procter & Gamble exec who, when his team was unable to find solutions to specific challenges, organizes a trip to the San Diego Zoo. There they learned from biomimicry, “a discipline that tries to solve problems by imitating the ingenious and sustainable answers provided by nature.” Drawing inspiration from geckos, flower petals, armadillos and icefish, the Procter & Gamble team soon generates new approaches to their challenges.
I recognize that my background is far from linear and while some may question my winding resume, I believe such an eclectic background this early in my career is beneficial. It has given me insight to a wide variety of approaches to problem solving and contact with many different people. While I am not saying that I am offering all the San Diego Zoo provides, I believe that in the end, when searching for solutions to problems, having a diverse team is always beneficial. What’s more, acquiring sphere-specific knowledge is relatively easy when in contrast with the soft-skills like interpersonal communication, motivation, and adaptability that make group brainstorming successful.
