Zero Based Thinking is a powerful problem-solving approach that encourages you to discard previous assumptions and start with a fresh mindset when facing a challenge.
How Zero Based Thinking Works:
- Start with a Clean Slate: When faced with a problem, discard any previous ideas or biases. By this, you will be forced to objectively evaluate all relevant information about the issues involved.
- Identify bottlenecks: Systematically assess the barriers blocking you to reach a solution.
- Evaluate resources to overcome the barriers: Assess every resource—be it personnel, tools, or information—that may aid you to overcome the barriers. Maintain an unbiased perspective throughout this evaluation to ensure a fair analysis. For each identified barrier, brainstorm potential strategies to overcome it. The unbiased evaluative approach generates creativity and innovation, enabling you to discover new pathways to resolution.
Case example:
- When leading an important meeting to address an organizational challenge, emphasize that you are unbiased and impartial to all persons involved as well as to their ideas. This openness will create a collaborative environment with positive vibe, where all participants will feel empowered to contribute creatively and freely toward solving the problem. And the no-bias mindset will enforce critical evaluation of every new idea and action.
Zero based thinking lies at the heart of discovering inventive solution.
If you start solving a problem with biased knowledge, chances are, your assumptions may lead you the wrong way. Instead, if you start with zero based thinking, you would be able to evaluate each piece of new fact and knowledge using your logical reasoning and problem solving techniques with freedom and greater chances of success.
