Creating Great Choices: A Leader's Guide to Integrative Thinking

by Jennifer Riel, Roger L. Martin

Move Beyond Trade-Off Thinking

When it comes to our hardest choices, it can seem as though making trade-offs is inevitable. But what about those crucial times when accepting the obvious trade-off just isn't good enough? What do we do when the choices in front of us don't get us what we need? In those cases, rather than choosing the least worst option, we can use the models in front of us to create a new and superior answer. This is integrative thinking.

First introduced by world-renowned strategic thinker Roger Martin in The Opposable Mind, integrative thinking is an approach to problem solving that uses opposing ideas as the basis for innovation. Now, in Creating Great Choices, Martin and his longtime thinking partner Jennifer Riel vividly illustrate how integrative thinking works, and how to do it.

The book includes fresh stories of successful integrative thinkers that will demystify the process of creative problem solving, as well as practical tools and exercises to help readers engage with the ideas. And it lays out the authors' four-step methodology for creating great choices, which can be applied in virtually any context. The result is a replicable, thoughtful approach to finding a third and better way to make important choices in the face of unacceptable trade‐offs.

Insightful and instructive, Creating Great Choices blends storytelling, theory, and hands-on advice to help any leader or manager facing a tough choice.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Nonfiction, Management, Personal Development, Psychology, Self Help

272 pages, Hardcover

Published September 19, 2017

Reviews

[Frank Calberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Takeaways from reading the book:

What is integrative thinking?
- Page 8: Integrative thinking is a way of thinking that uses the tension of opposing ideas to help create new possibilities.
- Page 9 and 88: Integrative thinking means taking the best of choices A and B and creatively re-configuring them to create new value.
- Page 85 and 88: Using dilemmas helps you 1) avoid group think, 2) avoid thinking in compromises, 3) avoid a too early commitment to any single answer, and 4) push creative thinking in coming up with something new.
- Page 127, 211 and 213: Underlying integrative thinking are the beliefs that 1) all models are incomplete, 2) people understand the world in different ways, 3) it is possible to develop new and better models / answers.

How do we discover user needs and define the problem?
- Page 50: Three tools to discover user needs: 1. Observe what users do and how users do things. 2. Ask users questions and listen. 3. Test / try things.
- Page 51-52: Empathy is a 2-way street. The more curious you are to learn about others, the more curious they will be to learn about you. To train empathy, write and/or read romance novels.
- Page 82: A problem worth solving is one that matters to people. Define the problem starting with "How might we...?"

How do we develop an integrative solution?
- Page 87, 94, 119 and 131: Ask yourself what you value most about both of the opposing ideas - and why. For example, find the best arguments for working locally and the best arguments for working globally. Other opposing models: 1. User needs vs. shareholder needs. 2. Sales growth vs. profit growth. 3. Centralization vs. decentralization. 4. Standardization vs. customization. 5. Agility vs. stability. 6. Efficiency vs. creativity. 7. Inclusion vs. exclusion.
- Page 132: Ask yourself questions to further develop the integrative solution.
- Page 57: Exercise to train creative thinking: Develop a really bad idea and arguments to support the idea. Example of idea: A perfume that smells like garbage. Example of argument for the idea: Get more space when you are traveling by bus.

How do we communicate and test an integrative solution?
- Page 79 - 81: Ask external people what they think about the integrative solution. Listening to outsiders helps you can develop more different ideas and strengthen creative thinking.
- Page 178: Use stories to communicate the integrative solution.
- Page 180: Use photos to visualize the integrative solution.
- Page 183: Make a physical model of the integrative solution, for example using cardboard.
- Page 176: Test solution with few resources.

[Toyin Spades · Rating 3 out of 5]

It had a slow start to it but once it ramped up, it was easy to follow the writers’ train of thought and problem solving approach.

Academic in its approach, the book presents 4 methodologies to create great choices by implementing an integrated thinking process:

1) Articulate the models by framing the problem and teasing out two opposing models to solve the problem.
2) Examine the models.
3)Explore the possibilities.
4)Assess the prototypes to test different possible answers before moving ahead.

I particularly liked the different points where readers are encouraged to try the methodologies offered and the prepared set of templates to help document what has been tried.

Favourite Quote: “But when we adults propose an idea at work that gets killed, we tend to blame politics, other people’s lack of vision and institutional cowardice. We rarely examine the role of our own approach to sharing the idea played in its failure.”

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most useful book I've read this year, granted this is only the 3rd book I've finished this year, but I truly believe that this will still be somewhere at the top by the end of the year.

This book on "integrative thinking" gave me a fresh approach to problem-solving in the workplace. The step-by-step methodology on using the tension between completely opposing ideas to a problem to drive innovative solutions is clearly laid out with compelling case studies and templates the reader can use to work their way through solving their own problems while reading. All in all, a great blend of theory, mindset, and immediately applicable tools.

[Oleksandr Golovatyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Тренуй Свій Мозок разом з Readlax: Швидкочитання. Ігри для мозку. Тренування пам'яті. (промо-лінк)

Кращі нотатки з книги:

"створити нову, досконалішу відповідь, а не обирати між двома неоптимальними варіантами"

"творчість - це вміння, що його можна розвинути шляхом практики"

"наголошуємо на основній думці нашої праці: інтегративне мислення має самодостатню цінність як спосіб буття, що створює нові можливості там, де раніше їх не існувало."

"Ми сліпі до власної сліпоти. Ми дуже слабко уявляємо, як мало знаємо" (Деніел Канеман)

"Мислення - наш інструмент для розуміння світу"

"мозок робить нам корисну послугу, про яку ми щасливо не здогадуємося. Він відфільтровує значну частину цієї складності і створює для нас спрощену модель світу"

"Ментальні моделі - створюваний мозком набір моделей світу - з часом накопичуються і зрештою стають нашою реальністью. Процес моделювання відбуваєтсья в мозку автоматично, постійно і здебільного неусвідомлено"

"між реальністю і нашими сприйняттям її завжди є глибоке розходження"

"Ми рідко усвідомлюємо, які саме моделі використовуємо. Ми ж бо вважаємо, що спостерігаємо реальність, тому не схильні рефлексувати, аналізувати, як наша точка споглядання впливає на картину, яку ми бачимо"

"агрументи проти сформованого переконання спонукають нас ще міцніше триматися своїх поглядів. Цей феномен називають "ефектом зворотної дії", і його доклдано пояснили Брендан Найген і Джейсон Райфлер у дослідженні 2006 року."

"Наш мозок зорієнтований на ефективність (наш мозок є лінивим), тому ми схільні скорочувати і спрощувати процес обмірковування аргументів і покладатися на максимально поверхові моделі світу. Ми шукаємо і використовуємо інформацію, що її легко здобути, легко запам'ятати і легко усвідомити як фундамент наших ментальних моделей і рідко копаємо глибше, щоб проаналізувати справжні причини наших переконань"

"Щоб ми могли ефективно функціонувати у світі, мозок створює якомога простіші моделі, та все ж спрощення має чіткі межі. Надмірно спрощені модеті втрачають здатність пояснювати і передбачати. Вони не дають результатів."

"Щоб ухвалювати кращі рішення, треба вдосконалювати цей процес."

"Термін "метапізнання" запровадив психолог Джон Флейвелл. Метапізнання - це сукупність знань про особливості пізнавальної сфери і регулювання когнітивного процесу. Це галузь знань про те, як розуміти і контролювати мислення. Концепція передбачає такі аспекти, як самоусвідомлення і самоконтоль."

"Метапізнання - важливий базовий принцип успішного прийняття рішень"

"Емпатію можна розвинути, читаючи художню літературу"

"Брак емпатії - прямий шлях до вузьких однобоких рішень. Лише емпатія дає шанс зрозуміти, як міркують інші люди, й збагатитися поглядом з їхньої перспективи"

"Креативність - не дар і не справа талановитих одинаків. Це тяжка праця, а також колективний процес. І це риса, яку можна розвинути в собі кожен із нас"

"проблема не в тому, що у нас немає ідей, проблема в тому, що ми боїмося несхвалення ций ідей іншими людьми, тож залишаємо свою думку при собі. І не в тому річ, що ми не хочемо вчитися нового - нам просто комфортно й далі робити те, що ми вже добре вміємо"

"Від народження ми всі є творчо обдарованими, але з віком життя відбирає у нас цей дар"

"Процес інтегративного мислення, як ми вже зазначали, прочинається з протиставлення моделей. На першому етапі треба сформулювати модель - окреслити межі проблеми й виділити дві протиставні моделі її розв'язання. На другому етапі настає час дослідити ці моделі - зануритися в них і, протиставивши одну одній, вдатися до глибокого й всебічного аналізу... На третьому і четвертому етапах ми полишаємо аналіз протиставних моделей і вдаємося до генерування нових ідей, творчо запозичаючи елементи протиставних моделей і продукуючи рішення, яке буде якісно вищого рівня порівняно з початковими моделями"

"Процес інтегративного мислення:
1) Чітко сформулюйте моделі
2) Дослідіть моделі
3) Вивчіть можливості
4) Оцініть прототипи"

"вакцинація - одне з найважливіших досягнень медицини в минулому столітті. Завдяки вакцинуванню американців, народжених між 1994 і 2013 роками, вдасться відвернути приблизно 322 мільйона захворювань, 21 мільйони шпиталізацій і понад 700 тисяч передчасних смертей."

"Загалом інтегративне мислення - це зважування напруги між моделями задля створення певного нового варіанта"

"Якщо ідея справді нова, то не існує даних, які б доводили, що вона працює. Доказові дані, за визначенням, лежать у площині минулого."

"Візуалізація - це спосіб представити можливість за допомогою зображень"

"Якщо керувати бізнесом, враховуючи думки всіх акціонерів, то можна просто сказитися і спустити весь бізнес на дно"

"Аналіз світоглядних основ - 1) Світогляд - 2) Міркування 3) Дія 4) Наслідок"

"Світ є складним, тому ми осмислюємо його через спрощені моделі. Ці моделі є штучно сконструйованими і (принаймні частково) хибними."

"Різні люди розуміють світ по-різному. Ці протилежні способи світосприйняття дають нам можливість удосконалювати наші моделі."

"Світ сповнений можливостей з часом удосконалювати наші моделі, для цього ми маємо бути відкриті до розуміння того, що завжди можна зайти нову кращу відповідь"

"Отже моїм завданням є досліджувати власне мислення, щоб отримати чіткіше розуміння того, якою є моя модель світу."

"Моїм завданням є неупереджено досліджувати протилежні погляди на світ, щоб глибше зрозуміти й ефективніше врівноважувати ці протилежні моделі"

"Моїм завданням є терпляче шукати способи усунути протистояння між протилежними ідеями і створювати для світу нові цінності."

[Kevin Kaiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this explanation of integrative thinking. The concept is to create two opposing models for solving a problem and rather than choosing one, attempting to create a new solution that contains the best parts of each model.

[Ceil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid discussion of integrative thinking - clear strategies to approach complex organizational challenges -or simple ones about which people disagree. Lovely templates throughout to make it easy to apply the integrative process.

[Raj Shankar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life is spent making “Choices”, or at least we believe so. At times we do not make choices and wait until only one option is left in front of us At times we make compromised choices. Rarely people are able to make the much needed “trade-offs” between options. While “making trade-offs” is what makes choosing options difficult, Riel and Martin suggest in this book that there is a third possible way – a method to mix the best of two opposing options and thereby create a third option.

For a detailed review: https://rajshankar.wordpress.com/2018...

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure why, but I had trouble getting through this book. It started off strong and it lost my interest. I skimmed the last third of the book.

I did pull some strong takeaways from the book. There is a great story about how the Lego movie came to be, excerpts from Jay Z's biography, and insights on things like confirmation bias.

I may try to finish the second half of this book at a later date. For some reason, it's just not working for me right now.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read. The discussion about empathy and needing diverse input (if you surround yourself on with people that agree with you then you don't generate new ideas or learn new perspectives) seemed very timely. The problem solving methods seemed challenging but the templates given were very helpful. I especially liked the pro/pro list (instead of a pro/con list) and the form for showing benefits to different players.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is great at explaining the How of applying integrative thinking. The step by step guide is amazing in providing details, examples and templates. It starts with defining a problem, which surprisingly does not have to be a trade-off. We can actually describe the opposing models based on the problem we are facing or the goal we want to achieve (How might we...). Then it's all about using the models to create new options. Huge improvement from the initial book "The Opposable Mind"!

[Douglas Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very good primer, big-hand-little-map, review of integrative thinking, choice architecture, and libertarian paternalism. I wish I had read this book prior to my journey through Kahneman's Thinking Fast and Slow, Thaler's Nudge, and other pieces on heuristics and bias. The first 2/3 of this book flies, while I found the last 1/3 somewhat of a slog - but worth it nonetheless.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice follow-up to Playing to Win, Martin's collaboration with former P&G CEO A.J. Lafely. Martin offers a nice dose of humility in the book's concluding chapter, noting that the book's framework isn't a cure-all (rare for a business strategy book).

I liked the book's focus on putting problems in specific contexts, and stretching different potential solutions to their absolute limits to reveal patterns and insights that wouldn't otherwise be apparent. The exercises offered in the book help to avoid problem-solving in an ill-determined and poorly thought-through gray space that we call can stumble in to when assumptions go untested, or worse, are assigned the value of truth.

The book doesn't have a single killer trick, like the Playing to Win strategy cascade, but the templates offered make good references for future use.

[Leann · Rating 5 out of 5]

They say we stay inside of our own social media bubbles, never truly pushing ourselves to explore what is outside of our comfort zone. This book is a thoughtful, quiet instruction manual on how to break out of your own bubble of repeated thoughts and learn new models of thinking. While a bit academic, Riel has a patient voice and guides readers on what mental models are. This isn't a book to be read once and then gather dust on the shelf. Rather, if you are truly putting this book to its intended use, you'll pick it up over and over again to push your boundaries and find ways to grow. Riel includes plenty of "Try This" thought experiment instructions and helpful illustrations for you to put the book to work in your own life.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creating Great Choices generates ideas concerning new ways for organisational leaders to address probelms and generate innovative solutions to correct them. Riel and Martin address this through the concept of integrative thinking; using opposing views to generate new ideas. While the idea of integrative thinking is interesting it may be difficult form many organizations to implement as it appears to involve a steep learning curve that may be too time consuming for many organizations. However, creating innovative ideas in today's organizations to resolve problems is well worth the efffort.

[Natalia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book, it seems that the way of thinking is obvious but the way of thinking presented in this book shows me that everyone has a right and it is important to understand thinking of ourselves and others. Looking for advantages rather than both, make me sure that I am so close to make right decisions. Good examples, easy to understand move us to the real world of the experiences. The exercises during the book makes us stronger in understanding present way of thinking. Good for people that want to have wider horizon of “why”.

[J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book expanded on The Opposable Mind and I think it did a really good job and satisfying what was lacking in that book. Steps and templates are presented to give guidance to people who are more sequential in their thinking and visual in their learning too. The last chapter does call us to mindful of our mental models and our place in the world as well as how we chose to see ourselves in relationship with it. I think this book will be a tremendous help with wonderful applications in many areas of human interaction, not just business but behind business too.

[fc7reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was required reading for a course. Unlike many other books in this genre, it includes multiple step-by-step exercises that walk you through the actual process of developing an integrative solution. It has been my experience that books dealing with leadership and creative thinking tend to lack this element. I like the practicality of this book. More than that, I appreciate the idea that problem-solving doesn't have to come down to the either/or thinking that is prevalent in big decisions.

[Warren Mcpherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Challenge your thinking.
Extending design thinking to other hard problems, particularly business problems. There is less emphasis on group dynamics and more on the thinking process. A workbook designed to guide the reader. There are cautionary reminders about the short-cuts we are prone to taking. It emphasizes the value of understanding tension between different conceptual models, avoiding trade-off's and working through key ideas in a systematic productive way.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful for management and decision making roles. I enjoyed the example of the teacher putting fish visibly around her class with some information, while other fish were hidden. The hidden fish give the complete picture of the story (eg. kid banging his hands on the desk on the visible fish, student getting bullied at recess on the hidden fish). Its a reminder that we need to look beyond the surface and dig deep into issues, by integrative thinking, to solve problems.

[Peter Rowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I've often found myself guilty of "clinging" to an idea and missing opportunities as a result. I loved the integrative approach of considering the pros/pros list of multiple perspectives when considering solutions to challenging problems. I have some homework to take away from this book in the form of worksheets to help me develop this fresh perspective on integrative thinking.

[Alison Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book, and I probably will need to get the written copy to review some of the activities. This book felt like the practical way to find a blue ocean. I look forward to putting the “pro-pro” lists into practice and the three pathways (hidden gems (one each), double down on a more intense version of one, and decomposition). This article had a good summary: https://www.kingsmaker.co/blog/book-s...

[Samantha]

I took at class at Rotman in the fall where we had a 1 day session with Jennifer and received copy of her book.

I loved the class and the re-read of this book. The examples are clear and relatable - from massive financial firms to kids in grade school. All felt appropriate and relevant to understanding and applying integrative thinking into both work and day-to-day life.

I'm excited to share my knowledge with colleagues and now practice integrative thinking.
Would recommend :)

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Design thinking + a little bit more, not a fantastic read if you're already familiar with design thinking. The one good ideas is instead of compromising use "integrative thinking" where you generate two opposing models and then find the pros of each and think about how to get some of the important pros into a new solution.

[Todd McGlinchey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a lot of great ideas to implement and improve your team. Challenging the way you and your team problem solve is my biggest take away. I had to plow through some parts but overall very enjoyable read.

[Terence · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recommend this book. It provides several tools for critical thinking. We often simplify things down to two options when there is a range of possible answers in-between. How do we encourage the type of thinking (integrative thinking) that allows us to get to those non-obvious answers?

[CharleneIgnites · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a textbook for a class on executive decision making, and my favorite book of the program (after two years of books.). It’s really just a business book but very interesting. Definitely will be recommending to colleagues and clients.

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about Design Thinking for Managers. It contains a lot of information and well-structured but not so engaging as similar books about decision making.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. I will go back to this book again and again. The theory is explained in a clear and compelling way. Beyond that, it is full of practical approaches and step by step application.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free copy from goodreads*

An interesting read but I was expecting more information/ideas that could be used in everyday life.

[Alexia M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another key tool in a decision maker toolbox.