LOOKING FOR A CREATIVE SPARK?

From Rules to Results: A Possibilitarian’s Guide for High-Norm Thinkers

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If you thrive on clarity, consistency, and knowing exactly what’s expected... you’re not alone. Structure is your strength. You like to know expectations up-front, follow through, and make sure the details aren’t missed. But what happens when there’s no rule, no precedent, and no clear path forward?

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This is where generative thinking comes in -> the ability to imagine, adapt, and move forward without a blueprint. For high-norm thinkers, this can feel unnatural. But it’s not out of reach.

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Why Generative Thinking is Hard, But Necessary

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In highly regulated industries like Healthcare & Pharma, structure is essential, where insight, imagination, and adaptability and required when challenges are unclear or evolving. For high norm professionals, this creates internal tension:

- “How can I move forward if I can’t guarantee the result?”

- “What if my idea isn't compliant?”.

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Staying stuck in ambiguity may feel safe, but it’s also a barrier to growth... for you, your team, and your patients and/or clients. What is the solution? Executing generative thinking with creative confidence and generous collaboration.

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Here’s what we learned... and how you can build on it.

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Three Generative Thinking Strategies for High-Norm Professionals

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1. Flip the Script

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From: “What’s the right way?” To: “What’s a way?”

Perfection can be a trap. In situations with no clear answer, the most visionary thinkers focus on possibilities, not guarantees.

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Try This -> Keep a Possibility Journal. When you face a challenge, list three ways to approach it. Even if they seem strange or imperfect.

Use the 'Yes, And' mindset -> “Yes, that could work — and what if we added this…”

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Reflection Question: When was the last time I held back an idea because it wasn’t fully formed?

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2. Micro-Bravery

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Start small. Experiment in low-risk, high-learning spaces. Trying something new doesn’t need to be radical. In fact, tiny shifts are how confidence grows.

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Try This -> Pick one task this week — a meeting, a client call, an email — and do it slightly differently. Limit the risk (30 minutes max), and afterwards, reflect on what you learned.

This practice builds gumption (the courage to take action before you’re 100% ready).

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Reflection Question: What’s one “safe” area where I could try something different this week?

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3. Reverse Norming

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Instead of asking “What’s the expected way to do this?” ask: “If there were no rules, how would we approach it?” This opens the door to original thinking — especially when combined with a team using "Yes, And..." collaboration.

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Try This in Meetings -> Take one client challenge and run a “rule-free” brainstorm. No idea is too wild. Don’t evaluate — just build.

Reflection Question: When someone shares an offbeat idea, do I build on it? Or pull it back to what’s “safe” or what I'm used to doing?

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From Executor to Possibilitarian

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High norm thinkers are essential. You ensure quality, integrity, and follow-through. But in complex environments, that’s no longer enough. The most impactful professionals today are possibilitarians -> those who believe in what could be, even when there’s no roadmap.

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You don’t need to be fearless to be creative.You just need to go first.

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Your Next Steps

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Here are four ways to keep building your creative and collaborative muscle:

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-> Start your week by asking yourself: “Where might I be defaulting to what’s expected instead of what’s possible?”

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---> Choose one meeting per week to intentionally use “Yes, And” when responding to others.

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-----> Run one experiment per month with a client interaction, internal workflow, or presentation approach.

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-------> Share one imperfect idea per week. Let your team see that progress matters more than polish.

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Want to Go Deeper?

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If you are participating in a Human Scaffold workshop, you can revisit the core exercises and tools inside your Client Portal.

Let this article be your checkpoint. Let your next meeting be your playground. And let your next idea be the one that surprises even you.

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