How I Think Differently… Inversion Thinking
Inversion thinking is about considering what you don’t want to happen and then working backward to identify and prevent those scenarios. By spotting failure points first, you can create smarter strategies for success.
Thinking Backwards
Instead of asking, “How do I succeed?”, ask, “What would guarantee failure?” and avoid those things. For example, in customer retention:
- Poor customer service
- Difficult cancellations
- Unexpected price hikes
- Inconsistent product quality
Reversing these gives us a better approach:Exceptional customer serviceSimple, transparent cancellationsFair and predictable pricingConsistently high-quality products.
Thinking Forwards
You can also apply Inversion Thinking proactively. A FinTech company might ask:
- How can we make our platform more secure?
- What security vulnerabilities exist?
By first identifying risks—like weak encryption or poor authentication—they can systematically strengthen their defenses.
Inversion Thinking for Climbing Unclimbed Mountains
Some say not carrying a satellite device is risky. The assumption? If something goes wrong, you can call for help. But that assumes the device will always work. I’ve had satellite communication devices fail multiple times. One even falsely confirmed sent messages. After one such incident, a tech rep told me, "This kind of thing only happens to you." That’s not reassuring.
Thinking backwards, imagine a rescue is “on the way” because your device says so—but it’s not. You might wait instead of taking action. In one case, a rescue was launched for me when I didn’t need one. For two days, people thought I was dead.
That’s why my advice to new climbers is simple: Don’t fall. Climbing gyms create a false sense of security. When I climb outside, safety is my priority. If I don’t fall, failure is just lost gas money and time. If I do, anything is possible. On big climbs, I constantly ask myself: What can I do right now to ensure I don’t fall? I plan for worst-case scenarios but adjust my strategy in real-time to prevent failure.
Conclusion
My thinking on a mountain mirrors how companies strengthen cybersecurity or retain customers. I don’t just ask, “How can I make my climb safer?” I ask, “What mistakes would make it more dangerous?” and work backwards to prevent them. This mindset extends beyond climbing. It applies to business, innovation, and leadership.
BTW— I believe there’s a market for a better device that bridges the gap between unreliable satellite messengers and standard phones. If you’re interested, let’s connect.
#Innovation #Leadership #Strategy #GrowthMindset
Image by Magda Ehlers.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-house-built-upside-down-3735463