The Imperfectionists

The future has always been unknowable – it’s just becoming harder and harder to pretend otherwise.

1. Curiosity: The Spark for Innovation

Curiosity forms the foundation of innovation and problem-solving. It arises from the desire to explore the unknown, allowing us to bridge gaps in our understanding. McLean and Conn emphasize that curiosity thrives on uncertainty, urging us to embrace ambiguity rather than avoid it. The act of questioning can lead to fresh ideas and groundbreaking discoveries.

Organizations like 3M have successfully embraced curiosity by encouraging their employees to dedicate time to exploratory activities. By providing a non-judgmental environment, they create a breeding ground for innovation. Companies that nurture curiosity are better prepared to adapt and evolve with the shifting tides of disruption and change.

We can cultivate curiosity by exposing ourselves to diverse ideas, asking basic yet profound questions, and creating a safe space for thinking outside the box. Whether it’s taking a walk to process your thoughts or engaging in conversations with people from different backgrounds, curiosity remains a vital mindset to develop in the face of uncertainty.

Examples

• 3M dedicated 15 percent of their employees' time to exploring personal projects, leading to new innovations.
• Eric Fevre's curiosity about a coffee shop’s crema resulted in the invention of the Nespresso capsule.
• Google expanded the concept by allocating 20 percent of employee time for independent exploration.

2. Dragonfly Eye Perspective: Seeing Collective Truths

The Dragonfly Eye Perspective is about viewing problems from multiple vantage points. Like a dragonfly with 360-degree vision, this mindset helps uncover new opportunities and insights by weaving together different ways of thinking.

Industries often gain breakthroughs when outsiders—or those with fresh perspectives—challenge conventional norms. For instance, the creators of Invisalign weren’t orthodontists, yet they revolutionized orthodontics by imagining braces from the user’s perspective. Similarly, shifting the lens from macro to micro, and back again, can help reveal underlying dynamics behind larger problems.

Using this approach requires moving beyond your own expertise and experimenting with multiple problem-solving angles. This mindset can lead to groundbreaking solutions, especially in a fast-changing world where singular views often fail to anticipate shifts.

Examples

• Invisalign revolutionized braces by focusing on comfort and aesthetics from the patient’s viewpoint.
• Ashok Alexander identified a targeted solution to the HIV epidemic in India by focusing on the social behavior of female sex workers.
• Multi-lens analysis has benefitted industries like financial markets and disaster management, reducing preventable blind spots.

3. Experimentalism: Learning by Doing

In a world brimming with change, the ability to test ideas, fail, and adapt is indispensable. SpaceX epitomizes this mindset with its mantra, “Fly, test, fail, fix.” The act of experimenting brings real-world data to the table, replacing outdated models with actionable evidence.

Although experimentation carries risks, the cost of maintaining the outdated status quo often outweighs these risks. This mindset encourages frequent testing, evaluation, and adoption of emerging technologies. Natural experiments can also serve as valuable opportunities to understand new dynamics without requiring additional resources.

Corporations willing to invest in novel experimental techniques can downplay uncertainty while staying ahead of the curve. By testing small and refining often, these companies position themselves to lead in their industries.

Examples

• SpaceX reduced the cost of space missions by 95 percent through relentless trial-and-error processes.
• Chinese company Didi used real-time weather and traffic data to optimize ride-sharing logistics.
• Natural experiments, such as comparing city policies during the pandemic, provided key insights without additional costs.

4. Collective Intelligence: Beyond Individual Expertise

The rapid pace of technological change means conventional expertise alone no longer suffices. Instead, achieving breakthroughs requires drawing on collective intelligence—outsourcing ideas, leveraging diverse perspectives, and integrating human-AI collaboration.

Crowdsourcing ideas can be incredibly resourceful. Organizations like The Nature Conservancy solved issues through public competitions, widening their access to innovative solutions. Tapping into centuries-old cultural wisdom has also proven transformative in modern problem-solving, as demonstrated in fire management in Australia. Additionally, the integration of humans and AI systems has enhanced accuracy and capability in fields like healthcare and forecasting.

By looking beyond individual brilliance and tapping into the wisdom and creativity of many, we can tackle complex challenges more effectively and with robust results.

Examples

• The Nature Conservancy used Kaggle to crowdsource AI solutions for fish recognition.
• Australian fire management modeled approaches after Indigenous practices.
• Human-AI collaboration enabled breakthroughs in cancer diagnostics and sports predictions.

5. Storytelling: The Art of Persuasion

Storytelling is essential for turning abstract ideas into compelling narratives that inspire action. The ability to present data in a persuasive, emotionally appealing manner often determines whether a strategy succeeds or fails. By blending facts with storytelling, leaders can reach diverse audiences more effectively.

Striking visuals, hands-on demonstrations, and emotional appeals can magnify a message’s impact. For example, using props or relatable metaphors to simplify complex ideas can cut through the clutter of excess information. Ultimately, crafting narratives allows organizations to breathe life into their strategies, persuading stakeholders and audiences alike to join them on the path forward.

Examples

• Presenting data visually (as colorful infographics) increases audience engagement.
• Demonstrations such as ethical hacking reveal vulnerabilities in real time.
• Emotional framing using the Hero’s Journey makes data memorable and actionable.

6. Imperfectionism: Embracing Risk and Uncertainty

Imperfectionism ties the six mindsets together by transforming how we approach high-stakes decisions with limited information. Rather than waiting for perfect conditions, imperfectionists act decisively while managing risk. They tolerate ambiguity and lean into experimentation with small, reversible steps.

Companies like Amazon illustrate this mindset well. Their various attempts at financial service products failed initially, but the failures laid the groundwork for the success of Amazon Pay. Pharmaceutical firms also embrace imperfectionism by partnering with universities to reduce risk while accelerating drug development.

By acting decisively, even with incomplete information, imperfectionists create pathways for success—and learn invaluable lessons along the way.

Examples

• Amazon used failures to refine Amazon Pay without overcommitting financial resources.
• Pfizer outsourced 77 percent of its drug development to mitigate risks in pharmaceuticals.
• Obama’s reflections on decision-making highlighted how risks can be managed through probabilities.

7. Harnessing Uncertainty as Opportunity

Instead of dreading the unknown, viewing uncertainty as an opportunity enables resourcefulness. McLean and Conn argue that the individuals who thrive amidst ambiguity are those who face it with courage and curiosity.

Charting new paths involves continually analyzing fresh data, embracing ideas from unexpected sources, and pushing beyond conventional capabilities. By weaving together the six mindsets outlined, we can reframe disruption as an opening to explore new frontiers.

Examples

• Breakthroughs in industries like environmental technology often come from reframing failures as data points.
• Businesses launch MVPs to capture market feedback rapidly before committing to scaled versions.
• Universities and private think tanks partner to address global warming with innovative approaches.

Takeaways

1. Start questioning everything around you—bring curiosity into your everyday life by asking "why" and exploring how things work.
2. Practice small, low-cost experiments in your personal and professional life and learn from both successes and failures.
3. Develop the art of storytelling to present your ideas persuasively, ensuring data connects to emotions for greater impact.