Page 222 - Free the Idea Monkey

3. Learn from experts (fight fire with fire). If you bring in

Harold’s peers from parallel industries, they can share with him

emerging technologies, new techniques, new discoveries and new

ways of looking at old challenges.

What’s a parallel industry? One that does the same thing you do,

but is in no way competitive. Here’s an example. You’re in lawn care?

You are offering products that protect and restore (healthy grass).

What companies offer similar benefits, but for different things?

Makers of hair care and skin care products. You invite experts from

those fields who are just as technically quali-

Hmmm. fied as Harold to help you.
We’ve done that through expert roundta-

bles, lectures, field trips and online techniques

such as Webinars and virtual roundtables. The

results have been nothing short of stunning.

You might expect Harold to be offended or feel

challenged by the import of outside expertise,

but our experience has been that these tech-

niques are invigorating and liberating for him.

One of our Harolds left an expert roundtable with 17 (seventeen!!!)

pages of notes. Harold doesn’t feel threatened because these experts

aren’t directly in his field. Besides, they’re really smart—like him!

4. Arrange closed meetings with experts. What’s also effec-

tive with the Harolds of the world is having them work alone with

the outside experts. No one else allowed. For one thing, it appeals to

his ego. (We are only having the most important people meet.) And

for another, if there are only peers in the room, communication tends

to be easier and more candid. These outside experts can help Harold

by challenging his prejudices.

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