Creative thinking | Anthea Roberts — Anthea Roberts

Using the lenses of our mental models helps us illuminate these interconnections. The more lenses used on a given problem, the more of reality reveals itself. The more of reality we see, the more we understand. The more we understand, the more we know what to do.

• Sees the whole picture


• Engages different perspectives to see new leverage points in complex systems


• Looks for relationships and how parts interact


• Looks for unintended consequences


• Thinks circularly; not linearly


• Embraces complexity


• Questions assumptions

Perspective often comes from distance or time. If you’re trying to solve a problem and you’re stuck, try shifting your vantage point. Examples of this are moving up and contemplating the bigger picture, moving down and seeing more details, or assuming the perspective of other stakeholders—customers, suppliers, partners, government. Many problems be