They came on in the same old way — and we defeated them in the same old way. Arthur Wellesley, First Duke of Wellington, quoted in Roberts, Andrew (2010); Napoleon and Wellington; Hachette, UK ISBN 0297865269.
The Duke of Wellington’s terse reflection on his victory at the Battle of Waterloo, where he became famous (or even more famous than he was already) for outmaneuvering the French master military tactician Napolean Bonaparte, is a powerful reminder of the necessity of incorporating creativity, flexibility and adaptability into our strategy for accomplishing anything. This historical event underscores the idea that thinking differently is not as straightforward as we might assume. As Dr. Beau Lotto, a professor, neuroscientist and the founder and CEO of the Lab of Misfits, points out, we are all influenced by our biases and assumptions, whether we create them ourselves or inherit them.
But how would we see things differently if everything we do is a reflex based on our personal and shared history? “The answer is simple,” Lotto explained. “Change your assumptions, and you’ll change your perception.” It involves identifying the assumptions that limit our perceptions and then challenging and replacing them consciously with new, more open-minded assumptions. By changing assumptions, we unlock the potential for the impossible to become inevitable and the inevitable to become possible. This process shapes our reality continuously and inspires us to push beyond our limits, empowering us and putting us in control of our potential to achieve victory.
Lotto also asserts that creativity and innovation in any military or commercial endeavor require thinking differently. Thinking differently involves embracing uncertainty, which can cause stress initially. However, this uncertainty, which our brains prefer to avoid, is fertile ground for the most innovative solutions. Our brains prefer certainty, so they respond to uncertainty by trying to make it certain. “Your brain never makes big jumps,” Lotto said. “It always makes small steps. The next step is the next most likely possibility, as defined by your space of assumptions and biases. So even if the best idea is right there in your space of possibility, you might not even see it.” Embracing uncertainty unlocks possibilities, fostering open-mindedness, and ignites curiosity about the potential for achieving success, encouraging and motivating us to think differently.
It’s easy to say, “Change your assumptions, and you will change your perception. Embrace uncertainty, and it may lead to innovation.” However, this is not for the faint-hearted, as accomplishing this requires courage and resilience. Take Paige Kassalen, for example. At 22, while working at Covestro as a junior engineer, she saw a job posting for the Solar Impulse job. She applied and joined a 16-person ground crew for the historic journey of the world’s first solar-powered plane, Solar Impulse 2 (Si2). As part of the “catching crew,” her responsibilities included steering the tail of the 5,000-pound plane as it taxied onto the runway and catching the wing when it landed. (The 22-Year-Old Female Engineer Making History on the World’s First Solar-Powered Flight.)
Paige said, “It’s an amazing process, but there’s no guide on how to be on the ground crew for a solar-powered airplane… It’s an intense job — the welfare of the plane is literally in your hands.” Upon completing the journey and returning to her previous position, she found that her experience had equipped her with valuable new skills. “It was amazing having all these new skills to implement in my work with Covestro,” she shared. “I now feel this responsibility to be an ambassador for the clean tech revolution — the power to invent the future is really what motivates me to continue pushing the boundaries in STEM.” (Meet Paige Kassalen, the 23-Year-Old Engineer Who Worked on the First Solar-Powered Airplane.)
While we can’t all be like Paige Kassalen, there are practical ways to embrace uncertainty and discomfort that can help us change our assumptions and perceptions. One of the best ways is to travel, which often exposes us to uncertainty and discomfort. For example, on a recent trip to Switzerland, I experienced a rare breakdown of the train system from Davos to Zurich.
Swiss trains are heralded as perfect — clean, punctual and reliable — except on July 13th, when the train from Davos to Zurich broke down. A damaged overhead powerline caused the train to stop at Seibnen Wangen, a station about 41.2 km (25 miles) from Zurich. All trains on the same line were immobilized, and all passengers were directed to disembark and wait for a bus to transfer us to another destination.
As a refugee whose family escaped Vietnam after the fall of Saigon, this Swiss train debacle reminded me of its fall, minus the bombing. Like a mob, we rushed off the train with our luggage, joining a throng of people waiting for the bus. We all scrambled to board and secure a seat when it finally arrived. The situation was undeniably uncomfortable, but we all tried to cope. I was fortunate to be standing where the bus stopped; the door opened, and I quickly moved to claim my seat.
Just as in Vietnam, there was little communication from officials, leaving us feeling helpless. Eventually, the bus dropped us off at another station, where we hurried to catch another train, only to wait another ten minutes due to delays. The train then skipped a few stops to get back on schedule and headed straight to Zurich, to the dismay of several passengers. “This is unusual for Switzerland,” an elderly woman explained. Many agreed it was unusual but acknowledged that it occasionally happened.
How has traveling changed my perceptions? First, it has exposed me to different cultures, traditions and ways of life. This exposure has helped me understand and appreciate diversity, breaking down stereotypes and prejudices. It has rationalized my routines and expanded my comfort zones, forcing me to think differently, and helping me to effectively navigate the stress and discomfort of uncertainty. I gain new perspectives by interacting with people from different backgrounds and seeing how they live and think. But most importantly, traveling has challenged my assumptions about the world. For instance, experiencing a breakdown in the Swiss train system, known for its reliability, has altered my perception of perfection and efficiency, underscoring that even the best systems have flaws. Because the stakes of my Swiss adventure were less life-threatening than my experience in Vietnam, I was even more prepared to be creative in assuring my comfort and safety.
Traveling has always been a powerful tool for changing my assumptions and perceptions. It allows me to learn to navigate new places, languages, and situations, strengthening my confidence and independence. It makes me realize the world’s interconnectedness and fosters a sense of shared humanity. Lastly, it makes me appreciate the privileges I have acquired over my life.
