Reverse thinking is a method of thinking where you
state your
problem in
reverse.
Why is reverse thinking important?
When confronted with complex issues, conventional methods might
not always cut it. That's where reverse thinking shines. By
altering your perspective and asking counter-intuitive
questions, you can break through mental barriers and discover
innovative paths to success. Let's explore some real-world
examples of reverse thinking in action.
Example of how to get a good job with reverse thinking:
Discovering the ideal course of study to secure a rewarding job
opportunity can be daunting. However, there is a creative solution
to this challenge: reverse thinking. The concept revolves around
envisioning your desired occupation and then seeking out the
educational path that leads you to it.
Conversation between A and B about how to get a good job with reverse thinking.
A: "I don’t know what to study to get a good job."
B: "Use reverse thinking."
A: "What?"
B: "Think about a good job, then look for the education that leads you to it."
A: "Thanks."
By Flinkliv.com
Example to motivate teams and employees with reverse thinking:
Instead of focusing on how to motivate a team, flip the script. Think about the things that drain or frustrate their motivation, like micromanaging, unnecessary meetings, or lack of recognition. Once you identify those, stop doing them. By removing the negative behaviors that hold them back, you'll naturally create a more motivating environment without having to force it. This reverse thinking approach shifts your focus from adding more motivation to eliminating what's killing it in the first place.
Conversation between A and B about how to motivate teams and employees with reverse thinking.
A: "How do we motivate employees?"
B: "Just stop doing the stuff that frustrates them."
A: "I'll create a team-building."
B: "Forced fun... that'll definitely boost motivation."
By Flinkliv.com
Example win a trust at work environemnt with reverse thinking:
Trust is not static but evolves based on how you act and react in
different situations. Your actions and behavior in various
contexts can either build or erode trust.
Conversation between A and B about how to earn trust at work with reverse thinking.
A: "No one trusts me at work."
B: "Let's flip the script and use reverse thinking."
B: "How can you win them back?"
A: "Oh ... Plot twist... I am the villain now."
By Flinkliv.com
Conversation between A and B about how to earn trust at work with reverse thinking.
B: "Trust is people's belief in your actions. If you are competent, they will trust your skills. If you are honest and credible, you will be trusted as a person of integrity."
By Flinkliv.com
Conversation between A and B about how to earn trust at work with reverse thinking.
A: "Never really saw trust from this angle before. I like how you explain it, why no one told me that before. You see, that is why I have trust issues."
By Flinkliv.com
Example of how to succeed at work using reverse thinking:
Numerous individuals struggle with figuring out how to thrive in
the workplace. In such cases, reverse thinking can be an
invaluable tool. Take a moment to compile a list of factors that
hinder your work, such as arriving late, delivering mediocre
performance, experiencing conflicts with colleagues, failing to
assist others, harboring a negative attitude, or refraining from
offering solutions. Then, seize the opportunity to flip this list
and do the opposite. By embracing this approach, you will
significantly enhance your prospects for success at work.
Conversation between A and B about how to succeed at work using reverse thinking.
A: "I don’t know how to succeed at work."
B: "How about reverse thinking?"
A: "What do you mean?"
B: "Well, think about a list of things that ruin your work, then do the opposite."
A: "Oh! Late to work... mediocre work... not getting along with colleagues... not helping colleagues... negative attitude... not offering a solution... etc."
B: "Well, do the opposite of this list, and your chances to succeed at work will increase."
By Flinkliv.com
Example of reverse thinking in the type of rest:
By applying reverse thinking, we recognize that rest isn't a singular concept but comes in various forms—physical, mental, emotional, and social. This shift in perspective prompts us to thoughtfully identify the specific type of rest we need at any given moment.
Conversation between A and B about reverse thinking in type of rest
A: I need some rest
B: What kind?
A: Wonderful, rest comes in flavors now.
By Flinkliv.com
Example of reverse thinking in the annual performance review:
Preparing for a yearly performance review requires a strategic
approach, not last-minute scrambling. Adopting reverse thinking,
you should avoid gathering achievements just before the meeting
and plan well in advance instead. Approximately 10 months before
the review, create a comprehensive list of tasks to boost your
chances of earning a promotion, and diligently work on
accomplishing them. By the time the review arrives, you will have
ten months of well-thought-out preparation under your belt, and
your progress may even catch your boss's attention. Embracing this
proactive mindset can lead to a more successful and impactful
performance evaluation.
Conversation between A and B about reverse thinking in the annual performance review.
A: "Tomorrow I have my yearly performance review."
B: "And?"
A: "I am gathering what I achieved to get my promotion."
B: "Good luck, but for the next time, try reverse thinking."
A: "What do you mean?"
B: "Instead of gathering achievements just before the meeting, prepare the meeting months before."
A: "How?"
B: "Let's say 10 months before the meeting, make a list of tasks that increase your chances to get a promotion, then work on it. When the time comes, you have 10 months of preparation. Your boss might even notice the progress as well."
By Flinkliv.com
Example of reverse thinking in turn crisis into opportunity:
Challenges in life don't shape our character; rather, they unveil
it. Employ reverse thinking to welcome every opportunity that
reveals who you truly are and strive to improve. Embrace these
experiences as a chance to become the best version of yourself,
unleashing your potential for growth and self-discovery.
Conversation between A and B about reverse thinking to turn crisis into opportunity.
A: "Sorry I lost my cool during the meeting. It's because of those issues."
B: "Issues don't create the character; they reveal it."
A: "So, what am I supposed to do?"
B: "Embrace this opportunity to get better."
A: "Ok."
B: "Get out of your comfort zone."
A: "Right."
B: "Become the best version of yourself."
A: "Don't push it."
By Flinkliv.com
Examples of reverse thinking in brainstorming
Reverse Brainstorming is a process that harvests our tendency to
see
problems more
than solutions. Ask yourself what could go wrong, then reverse it
to get the solution.
Conversation between A and B about reverse brainstorming.
A: "I am out of ideas."
B: "Use reverse brainstorming."
B: "Think what could go wrong then reverse it."
B: "You never run out of things that can go wrong."
By Flinkliv.com
Manipulative people
Acknowledging the pervasive presence of manipulative tendencies in
society is crucial. However, rather than focusing on others'
flaws, individuals should take a moment to introspect on their
actions and behaviors to enhance themselves.
Conversation between A and B about manipulative people.
A: "Too many manipulative people."
B: "Brace yourself. Turns out, we're all part-time puppet masters."
B: "How about we hit pause and work on ourselves."
By Flinkliv.com
Sick leave
High rates of sick leave can often signal deeper issues within a workplace. When employees feel their environment is draining or toxic, taking sick days may become less about physical illness and more about mental and emotional self-preservation.
To address this, leaders should:
Foster a positive work culture
Encourage open communication
Promote work-life balance
Conversation between A and B about sick leave.
A: Sickness at an all-time high?
B: When your boss sucks the life out of you
B: Calling in sick is just self-preservation at this point
By Flinkliv.com
Turning rejection into growth
Instead of taking rejection personally or dwelling on frustration, view it as an opportunity to learn and improve. Here is what you can ask or think about:
What can I do better?
What can I learn from this?
This mindset shifts your focus from what went wrong to what you can do right moving forward. Embrace feedback, seek areas of improvement, and use rejection as a stepping stone to refine your approach.
Conversation between A and B about turning rejection into growth.
A: They rejected my project, Totally unfair, right?
B: Ask why to open a dialogue, and learn from that
A: Nah, they’re just haters
By Flinkliv.com
