Preface:
As the world is becoming more complex, companies are increasingly integrating management
disciplines to spark new ideas and capitalize on emerging trends. At its core, associative
thinking thrives on the principle that innovation often springs from the intersection of diverse
thoughts and perspectives.
The blog focused on the importance of ‘associative thinking’ as a way to unlock new ideas and
foster growth. I will share my own personal learnings of having experienced it and elaborate on
how individuals, teams and organizations can leverage this process to enable value creation
and growth.
What is ‘Associative Thinking’
‘Associative thinking’ refers to the mental process of linking seemingly unrelated concepts to
form a new connection in the mind. Associative thinking does not follow a structure or logical
sequence, rather it allows individuals to jump from one idea to another, leading to creative
insights, and formation of new ideas. There are 3 key aspects:
- Non-Linear connections – Unlike linear thinking which follows a step-by step process, associative thinking involves making connections between seemingly unrelated concepts and piecing them together to form new connections in the mind. This in turn fosters creativity and innovation.
- Brainstorming –In group settings, associative thinking is often used as a technique to brainstorm ideas. Participants are encouraged to freely voice their opinions.
- Free associations – Free association is a technique used in psychology where individuals are encouraged to give ‘top of mind’ response.
“Associative thinking is the art of connecting seemingly unrelated ideas, unlocking the doors to innovation and insight. It weaves together diverse threads of knowledge fostering new perspectives”
Relating to my personal journey
As I stepped into my entrepreneurship journey, I had to become stronger in the subject of my
practice which is ‘Change leadership’. The subject in itself is multifaceted as there are several
disciplines woven into it – such as Leadership, Psychology, Behavioral science, Strategy and so
on. Pursuing my Masters in Change was an important first step in augmenting my knowledge
base and broadening my insight. This journey of learning continued with my enrolment in
several certifications offered by institutes of repute.
Slowly but surely, I started to gain confidence and a new sense of higher mental complexity.
While at first these subjects seemed independent, I found myself able to make connections, and
realized that management is actually a connected subject of inter-related disciplines. My level of
comprehension deepened, and the horizon of possibilities expanded. This is when I realized the
true power of ‘associative thinking’ Through this journey, I have not only honed my expertise,
but also developed a greater understanding of the topic of change leadership. The journey
continues.
How does one develop ‘associative thinking’
I am sharing some ideas that have helped me, and I invite you to explore your own. Below are
some possible ways to develop associative thinking:
- Mind Mapping – Start with a central idea, in my case it was change leadership. Create a visual representation of related thoughts, and associations. This way, you have a visual picture of the related disciplines that are connected to your central idea / topic.
- Brainstorming –engaging in a brainstorming session where there is free exchange of ideas, without judgement and evaluation. Here it is important to create a psychologically safe environment where people can speak up without fear of judgment. Brainstorming allows for cross-pollination of ideas which is very powerful.
- Be open to questions / challenge – Being open to questions and challenge opens up the window to consider how others see the situation. Questions challenge one’s thinking and encourage exploration of alternate possibilities and thoughts, I have greatly benefitted from this approach by just being open to challenge and questions.
- Analogies and Metaphors – analogies and metaphors are a excellent way to stimulate one’s thinking and break down mental barriers. By likening one subject to another, you can uncover new insights and perspectives.
How can teams promote ‘associative thinking
Associative thinking is a critical skill for a team, and they are often required to collaborate and
resolve challenges: In addition to the ideas enlisted for individuals, teams can leverage some of
the below ideas:
- Psychological safety – Given human dynamics at play, one of the most important conditions for associative thinking in teams is ‘psychological safety’ which is the environment where individuals don’t feel being judged. This encourages voicing of diverse perspectives.
- Inter-disciplinary team work –Promoting opportunities for interdisciplinary team work is an excellent way to promote a culture of associative thinking by promoting diverse views and opinions. Encourage knowledge sharing, and team building sessions also help in promoting he environment.
- Time & Space for reflection –Teams that reflect perform better. Reflection is an excellent way to promote associative thinking if the activity is done properly. Here the team leader plays a crucial role in setting the tone, and encouraging candid views.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ‘associative thinking’ is an important tool that can be leveraged by individuals and
teams to explore their potential, and create new paradigms of thinking.
In a rapidly evolving world, where challenges are multifaceted and often the solution is elusive,
the ability to connect seemingly unrelated ideas has become a competitive edge. It is about
exploring the next edge of human ingenuity.
Srikanth is the founder of Vruddhi India, a management consulting firm focused on Change leadership practices. We specialize in guiding companies through the complexities of change in a way that is uniquely personal and customized. You can email me at srikanth.pv@vruddhiindia.com for more information.