What really is ‘an Insight’?
A few years ago, I was on a Train-the-Trainer program, getting certified on Design Thinking which was run by IDEO (the people who originated Design Thinking). One key take-away that I got from that program, was how to decide whether something was ‘Insightful or Not’. It’s quite simple, so let me share.
An insight has to meet 3 specific criteria. These being:
1. Authentic Data – in other words, the source of your information has to true (no fake info here!)
2. Not Obvious – if it was so easy, ‘to get’, then it would be common knowledge – and no insight required! This therefore requires some deep thinking, or an experience that makes you reflect on a situation you’ve just been through. Also remember perceptions. What is obvious to you, may not be obvious to others and vice-versa!
3. Revealing – The ‘Aah-haaa’ moment. Suddenly you just ‘get it’. You understand why something just happened, or why someone did something in a certain way. It all just makes sense now!
When all three combine together, you get an insight.
Some of my most profound insights have come from traveling and seeing people do something (authentic data). And you think, ‘wow, that’s weird!’. But if you spend time trying to understand why? and perhaps ‘deep dive’ it by having an engaging conversation with them (not obvious), you might get an ‘ah-ha’ moment (revealing). This is when you realize there actually was a logical reason why they did it this way, and you were just unaware of it.
So knowing about what an insight is, can be really useful in your own self development journey.
And finally, here’s a challenge: go and see if you can find two insights about yourself – when you … _________________________ (please fill in the blanks yourself!)
