The Intuitive Compass: Why the Best Decisions Balance Reason and Instinct - Hardcover

Cholle, Francis P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1118077547 ISBN 13: 9781118077542

Publisher: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub, 2011

Synopsis

A dynamic new way to understand intuition, already implemented around the world at top companies and business schools

Neuroscience shows that instinct has a leading role in complex decision-making, yet imaginative play is the most direct means of activating our creativity and problem-solving abilities. Based on over 20 years of Cholle's wide-ranging professional experience and insights, The Intuitive Compass offers a fascinating new approach to innovative problem-solving, decision-making, and sustainable value creation. Through a concept known as Intuitive Intelligence, Cholle shows how anyone can improve creative brainpower by harnessing the balance between reason and instinct.

• Explores the tension between linear efficiency and random play, and the synergy between reason and instinct
• Helps us realize our natural tendencies to think holistically, think paradoxically, notice the unusual, or lead by influence
• Shows these tenets in action through case studies of the luxury house Hermes, Paris; Google and its paradoxical work culture; Virgin America, and its ability to notice the unusual about what matters for consumers and exert leadership in its industry

The Intuitive Compass shows how to thrive within chaos and offers actionable information for reinventing our path to sustainable success.

About this title

Review

Amazon.com Exclusive Q&A with Author Francis Cholle

Author Francis P. Cholle

What is the core problem with how we currently approach innovation and decision making?
The typical path in business is to apply more analysis, focus more on results, and work harder to get results. It's this kind of thinking that has led to business models that we're now finding are hard to sustain.

Life and logic don't match. We like to think of life as linear and logical, but it isn't. Success in modern times depends on making the leap from seeing the world how we think it operates to how it really operates. In reality, both life and the way the human mind operates are much closer to chaos than to logic.

We've established a sophisticated relationship with all that is logical, and we're less eloquent about what is not. This book is about establishing a productive relationship with the part of life that is not logical, so we can find solutions beyond the boundaries of what we know.

What is "intuitive intelligence"?
Intuitive intelligence is a set of skills that uses intuition to get to the instinctual and nonconscious parts of our mind. Intuition allows us to operate in the zone of ambiguity and change. It feeds the rational mind to enable logic to work with paradox. Since the beginning of mankind, instinct was meant to help us survive. Its mission is to ensure the sustainability of our species. At this time when sustainability is in question, intuitive intelligence is particularly essential.

What is The Intuitive Compass?
The Intuitive Compass is an approach to decision making and problem solving that does a better job of accessing and applying intuitive intelligence than typical approaches that depend on the linear and logical. It helps us make sense of chaos and leverage its power. It breaks down the functioning of the mind and the process of decision making into several clear components. You'll be able to map your current decision-making process, based on how well you balance the opposing forces of reason and instinct, and results and play. With this approach, we'll be better prepared to innovate and adapt to change.

Are you opposed to the logical and linear?
No, but we need to realize that logic and chaos coexist and we need to balance them with intuition and instinct.

What do you mean by "play"?
Play is a dynamic, spontaneous, and free-flowing engagement with anything or anyone. It’s immersing yourself in an activity for pleasure with no other stated goal. It needs to be an essential part of work in order to leverage all that people have to offer. Albert Einstein once said, "Play is the highest form of research."

What are some companies that formally encourage play?
Google, Pixar, 3M, Kohler, Shell, IBM, and DuPont are some of the companies I write about, which have realized and leveraged the power of play with formalized initiatives.

Is there a scientific basis to your arguments?
Recent neuroscience research has proven that instinct plays a key role in complex decision making, 80% of our grey matter is dedicated to nonconscious thought, and imaginative play is one of the most direct ways to access our creativity and problem-solving abilities. Also, physics and evolutionary biology show that there is a self-organizing principle that ensures that order will arise from chaos. We need to embrace, rather than resist, the self-organizing principle that is at work in business and everyday life.

Why do we need The Intuitive Compass now more than ever?
Businesses are facing an unprecedented level of complexity and unpredictability. Our new world requires a creative agile mindset as well as powerful, innovative solutions. Recent research shows that creativity is on the decline, and we need to investigate how to better access and train creativity. Also, sustainability is one of today’s most urgent problems, and The Intuitive Compass points the way to addressing it.

From the Back Cover

Praise for The Intuitive Compass

"The Intuitive Compass demonstrates that intuitive intelligence is an essential tool and shows us how to re-wire the way we think to take into holistic consideration the necessary interdependence between business, nature, society and culture.A must-read for the curious mind."
—Jochen Zeitz, executive chairman, PUMA and Chief Sustainability Officer, PPR

"Working with Francis Cholle has been more than exciting: it is always very interesting and very stimulating. The Intuitive Compass helps reach the root cause of any business challenge systematically and enriches any thought process with depth and rich perspectives. I only wish I had met him earlier in my career."
—Guillaume de Lesquen, worldwide president, Ralph Lauren Fragrances

"Francis Cholle's insights into the radical changes the business world is undergoing are invaluable. I highly recommend The Intuitive Compass and following the bold direction he outlines in it."
—Marc Speichert, chief marketing officer, L'Oréal USA

"The Intuitive Compass is not just a concept, it works! From first-hand experience,I know this methodology is both fun and effective. Francis Cholle has decoded the new meaning of success for individuals and organizations in the new economy. In particular, The Intuitive Compass is a must-read for anyone looking to reinvent legacy business models through creative and sustainable innovation."
—Philippe Guelton, executive VP and COO, Hachette Filipacchi Media US

"So essential in building strategies, intuition is a talent we need to nurture every day. In his stimulating book, The Intuitive Compass, Francis Cholle brilliantlyhelps us to do so!"
—Mercedes Erra, founder, BETC; executive chairman, Euro RSCG WorldWide;managing director, Havas Group

"The Intuitive Compass is a revolutionary new tool for the managerial decision-making process. Its use will significantly impact the ability of managers to create new solutions in the ever-changing business environment. For managers who want to increase their creativity and the ability to look at issues through a new lens, The Intuitive Compass is invaluable."
—Keith Weigelt, Marks-Darivoff, Family Professor of Strategy, Wharton School,University of Pennsylvania

"Give your intuition a much-needed workout. In this intriguing explorationinto the mysteries of the unconscious, Cholle teaches us how to reclaim thepower of our instincts."
—Rom Brafman, coauthor, SWAY and CLICK

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey-Bass Inc Pub
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1118077547
• ISBN 13: 9781118077542
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 254