Sometimes an idea creeps into your head and you just cannot let it go. Other times, you want ANYTHING to creep into your head and you’re a total blank. If I know one thing, it’s that I know nothing…
Over the past year, I have been listening to Brene Brown’s podcast “Unlocking Us.” (Note: Professor Brown also started a second podcast exclusive to Spotify titled “Dare to Lead”). In multiple episodes, Professor Brown discusses how a paradox, AKA “the union of opposites” can help unlock an idea. Carl Jung once said, “Paradox does more justice to the unknowable than clarity does.” In summary, you cannot find balance without the ying and the yang.
We are told to be creative. We are told to “think outside of the box,” yet sometimes we just get stuck and cannot come up with any interesting solutions. Next time this happens to you, why not think paradoxically – meaning find two complete polar opposite ideas related to what you want to accomplish and perhaps this will aid in developing a new line of thinking.
Something to think about today…
Best regards,
Dr. Dan-o
Associate Professor of Marketing
Methodologist, Seton Hall Sports Poll
Stillman School of Business