14.
SHARE EXPERIENCES

When people experience something together, they share a common memory, a common insight, a common wisdom. The more of these commonalties they share, the easier it is for them to work together, for they develop a language of common experience, a language they start using when coming up with ideas:

“Remember what George said about thinking out of the box? Maybe we’re in one now. Let’s get out of it.”

“Let’s try reversing the definition.”

“Let’s build a benefit pyramid.”

“Ah, that’s just what Dr. Bronowski was talking about — how we have to look for unexpected likenesses.”

As an ideaist, you must make sure the people you work with have experiences to share.

Never send any person alone to any outside conference or workshop. And when they return, make sure they report to those who didn’t attend.

The first Wednesday of every month, get someone to come in at lunchtime and talk to your entire company. Shut the place down. Bring in food. Hire temps to handle the phones. Make it an event — something people will look forward to.

It will not only make working there more fun, it will make working together easier.