EP16:Deep Into - Flip Thinking
27:13 Share

Hey everyone, welcome to another deep dive. Today we're going to be doing things a little bit differently. We're going to be exploring a fascinating concept called flip thinking. Ooh, I like the sound of that already. Yeah, it's all about approaching challenges with a playful twist. And you know me, I'm all about finding creative solutions. So we're diving deep into Berthold Gunster's book, Flip Thinking.

Trust me, it's packed with insights that will change how you look at problems. I've heard of Gunster. His work is pretty popular, right? Yeah, definitely. He's been leading workshops and training sessions for years, showing people how to put flip thinking into action. It's not just theory then, it's practical stuff. Exactly. He's worked with companies, individuals, you name it.

And get this, he's written 13 books on the topic. 13? Wow, he must really be on to something. And his success isn't limited to one country either. His books have sold over a million copies in the Netherlands alone, and they've been translated into multiple languages. Okay, I'm convinced this guy's the real deal.

But before we get into the techniques, I'm curious about Gunster himself. He started at the Theater Academy in Utrecht, worked in theater. What's the connection between theater and problem solving? Right. You wouldn't typically link those two together. It's fascinating, actually. It's like he brings this element of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking from his theater background into...

into the world of problem solving. I can see how that would be a powerful combination. So how does flip thinking actually work? I'm all for transforming frustration, but how do we actually do that? Well, Gunster starts by tackling this concept we all know too well. He calls it the yes, but dragon. The yes, but dragon. What's that?

It's that inner voice we all have, that voice that shoots down every new idea with a list of reasons why it won't work. You know that voice? It's a creativity killer. Oh yeah, I know that voice all too well. It's like a constant negativity machine. Exactly. And Gunster says this voice is a major obstacle to innovation and growth. It keeps us stuck in a rut. Okay, so how do we slay this yes-but dragon? That's where the yes-and mindset comes in.

It's about embracing possibilities instead of shutting them down. It's about transforming obstacles into opportunities. So it's like saying, okay, this might be a challenge. AD, here's how we can make it work. Exactly. Instead of focusing on the reasons why something won't work, we look for the ways it could work.

We shift our perspective from limitations to possibilities. This is starting to make sense. So what are some real world examples of flip thinking in action? Well, Gunster has tons of examples in his book. One that really stood out to me was about a play he directed in Chicago. It involved homeless individuals and was getting a lot of attention. Even CNN was there to cover it.

But on opening night, one of the actors didn't show up. Oh, no. Talk about a nightmare scenario. What did they do? Most directors would panic, right? But Gunster and his team, they saw it as an opportunity. An opportunity. How? Instead of trying to hide the actor's absence, they incorporated it into the performance. It became this powerful statement about the unpredictability of life on the streets. The audience was blown away by the raw authenticity of it all. Wow.

Wow, that's incredible. They flipped a potential disaster into an even more powerful performance. Exactly. They embraced the unexpected and it paid off big time. That's a great example of thinking on your feet and being adaptable. Do you have another one? Absolutely. There's this story about a Dutch TV host, Paul Deleu. During a live broadcast, a streaker ran onto the set shouting about animal cruelty. Oh my gosh. That's a live TV nightmare. What did he do? Now, most hosts would freak out or cut to commercial.

But Paul, he did something completely different. He embraced the disruption. He embraced it. What do you mean? He acknowledged the streaker, finished his segment, and then gave the guy the floor. He flipped what could have been a chaotic situation into an engaging part of the show. That's wild. He just rolled with it. Exactly. And that's a

key element of flip thinking. Sometimes the best solutions come from accepting the unexpected and working with it rather than against it. So it's about adaptability being open to change. Precisely. And Gunster actually breaks down this whole flip thinking process into two main steps, deconstruction and reconstruction. Deconstruction and reconstruction.

Okay, I'm intrigued. Tell me more. So first you deconstruct the problem. You strip away all the assumptions, judgments, and emotional baggage we tend to pile on. So it's about getting to the heart of the matter without letting our emotions cloud our judgment. Exactly. And then once you've stripped away all that extra stuff...

You move on to reconstruction. What does reconstruction involve? That's where you look at the problem with fresh eyes and ask yourself, what could this become? What new possibilities emerge when you approach it from a different angle? So it's not about denying the problem, but rather seeing it as a starting point for something new. You got it.

And to guide us on this journey of reframing our thinking, Gunster lays out seven key principles. Seven principles. OK, I'm ready to take notes. All right. The first principle is acceptance. Now, this isn't about giving up. It's about acknowledging what we can't change and focusing our energy on what we can. So it's about choosing our battles wisely and not wasting energy on things we can't control. Exactly. And Gunster actually tells this great story about a ship captain to illustrate this point.

This captain nearly caused a collision because he mistook a lighthouse for another vessel in thick fog. Oh, wow. That's scary. It is. And it highlights how our perception can be skewed and how resisting reality can lead to disaster. So sometimes the best course of action is simply to accept what is and adapt accordingly. Exactly. It's about working with reality, not against it. Okay. That makes sense. What's the next principle?

The second principle is observation. It's about challenging our assumptions and truly seeing what's in front of us, not what we expect to see. I think we all have a tendency to jump to conclusions sometimes. We do. We filter information through our own biases and often miss crucial details. It's like we're seeing what we want to see, not what's actually there.

Do you have an example of this from the book? Gunster uses this fascinating experiment with seminary students to illustrate this point. So these students are on their way to give a talk about the Good Samaritan, right? Okay, so they're primed to help others. Exactly. But as they're walking, they pass a person collapsed on the ground moaning in pain. You'd think they would stop to help, right? I mean, these are future religious leaders. You would think so.

But here's the thing. Only 40% of them actually stopped to help. The rest just walked right past the person in need. That's unbelievable. What were they thinking? They were so focused on giving their talk about helping others that they completely overlooked someone who actually needed help in that moment. That's a

powerful reminder that even the most well-intentioned people can fall prey to tunnel vision. Exactly. We get so fixated on our own agendas that we miss what's right in front of us. It's a humbling realization for sure. So we need to be aware of our own biases and challenge our assumptions. Absolutely. Okay, moving on to principle number three. This one's about redefining problems. Redefining problems. What do you mean by that? Well, Gunster challenges this notion that problems exist objectively.

He argues that problems arise from the gap between our desires and reality. It's not the situation itself that's the problem. It's our perception of it. So it's about shifting our perspective on the situation. Exactly. And to illustrate this point, Gunster shares this funny anecdote about an argument with his son over the showerhead. A showerhead argument. OK, I'm curious. So for Gunster, the showerhead being too low was a problem, right? I can see how that would be annoying. But for his son, it was the ideal situation. He loved it.

So what might be a major inconvenience for one person could be a non-issue for another. Exactly. It all comes down to our individual preferences and experiences. That's a great point. So it's not about denying the challenges, but rather about shifting our perspective on them. Exactly. And that can be incredibly liberating. I can see that. Okay, what's the next principle? This one might surprise you. It's about embracing stress and instability. Wait, stress? Yes.

Isn't stress supposed to be a bad thing? Not always. Gunster draws on this concept of anti-fragility. Anti-fragility. I haven't heard of that. It's the idea that systems and organisms can actually grow stronger through stress. Like what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Okay, I get it.

But how do we differentiate between healthy stress and chronic overwhelming stress? That's a great question, and it's something Gunster addresses in the book. He emphasizes the importance of controlled stress. He actually uses the example of Derek Clayton, a marathon runner who achieved his personal best after being forced to take a break due to an injury. So the enforced rest allowed his body to recover and come back stronger. Precisely. And the same principle applies to our mental and emotional well-being.

We need challenges to grow, but we also need time to process and recover. So it's about finding that balance between pushing ourselves and allowing ourselves to rest and recharge. Exactly. Okay, ready for principle number five. Hit me with it. This one is all about escaping stuck thinking, that feeling of being trapped in a cycle of negativity and frustration. Oh, I know that feeling all too well. It's like hitting a brick wall and not knowing how to move forward. Exactly. And to break free from this, Gunster offers a perfect

a practical framework in the form of four powerful questions. Four questions. All right. I'm all ears. The first question is, what is the problem? It seems simple, right? Yeah, pretty straightforward. But Gunster points out that we often don't define problems clearly.

We complain or feel overwhelmed without actually pinpointing the real issue. So the first step is to articulate the problem in a clear and concise way. Exactly. The second question is, is it really a problem? Ooh, that's a good one. It's about challenging our assumptions and perspectives. Are we blowing things out of proportion? Are we creating problems where none exist? It's about putting things into perspective and not sweating the small stuff. Exactly. Now, the third question gets a little more personal.

It's are you the problem? Ooh, that's a tough one to face. It is, but it's crucial for breaking free from negative patterns. Are we blaming external circumstances when in reality our own actions or attitudes are contributing to the issue? Sometimes we need to take a hard look in the mirror and acknowledge our own role in the situation. Exactly. And finally, the fourth question is, is the problem the intention? Is the problem the intention?

That's an interesting way to phrase it. It is. It's about challenging our assumptions about what constitutes a problem and being open to the possibility that what we perceive as a problem might actually be a stepping stone to something better. So it's about shifting our perspective and looking for the hidden potential in challenging situations. You got it. All right. Ready for principle number six. Bring it on. This one is called amplification.

It's about focusing on what's working rather than fixating on what's broken. So instead of always trying to fix problems, what if we

identified and amplified our strengths. Exactly. What if we focused on nurturing what's already thriving? It's like looking for the silver lining, finding the positives and building on them. Precisely. It's a much more empowering approach than constantly dwelling on what's wrong. And it's not about denying the existence of problems. It's about choosing where we direct our energy and attention. Exactly. Gunster actually uses this example of companies that focus on dissatisfied customers while overlooking the reasons why the majority of their customers are happy.

Ah, yes. It's like missing the forest for the trees. It is. All right. And finally, principle number seven. This one is all about understanding the four basic attitudes we can adopt when facing challenges. Four attitudes. Okay. I'm listening. The first attitude is love. Love. I thought we were talking about problem solving. We are. But when Gunster talks about love...

He's referring to a mindset rooted in acceptance, reconciliation and patience. It's about approaching problems with compassion and understanding, even when things seem difficult. So it's about leading with empathy and looking for the good in people and situations. Exactly. The second attitude is work.

Okay, that makes sense. Sometimes you just have to roll up your sleeves and get things done. Exactly. No amount of flip thinking can magically make a problem disappear. True. So work is about recognizing that some problems require effort and persistence. Exactly. The third attitude is battle. Battle. That sounds a bit more aggressive. It is. It's about recognizing that not everyone will be on your side and that sometimes you need to fight for what you believe in. So it's about being assertive and knowing when to stand your ground.

Exactly. And finally, the fourth attitude is play. Play. How does that fit in? It's about approaching problems with a sense of humor, creativity and a willingness to bend the rules. So it's about not taking ourselves too seriously and finding joy in the process. Exactly. And what's so brilliant about these four attitudes is that they're not mutually exclusive. Meaning we can draw on different attitudes depending on the situation. Exactly.

Sometimes we need to be compassionate. Sometimes we need to be assertive. Sometimes we need to buckle down and work. And sometimes we just need to lighten up and have a little fun.

It's like having a whole toolkit of approaches to choose from. Precisely. Now, to help us put these attitudes into practice, Gunster dives into 11 specific strategies for flip thinking. He calls these strategies the luggage. The luggage. Okay, I like that analogy. It's like we're packing our bags for a journey of problem solving, and these strategies are the tools we'll need along the way. So we've got the principles, the attitudes, and now we're about to unpack the strategies. That's right. We're just getting started. I'm excited to see what's in this luggage.

Me too. It's going to be a wild ride. All right. So we're back and ready to unpack the first four strategies in this flip thinking luggage. Are you ready to dive in? Absolutely. Let's do this. Okay. So the first strategy is called the strategy of acceptance. Acceptance.

It sounds pretty passive for a strategy about flipping your thinking. I know, right? But it's all about embracing reality, even when it's not ideal, and using that acceptance to uncover hidden opportunities. Okay, so it's not about giving up.

but rather about seeing reality for what it is and working with it. Exactly. Remember that story about the ship captain mistaking a lighthouse for another vessel? Yeah, that was a good one. It showed how resisting reality can lead to disaster. Exactly. So sometimes the best course of action is to simply accept what is and adapt. So how do we actually apply this strategy in real life? Do you have an example from the book?

One of my favorite examples is from the movie Raiders of the Lost Ark. Remember that scene where Indiana Jones is confronted by a swordsman? Yeah, I remember that I was expecting an epic sword fight.

Me too. But instead of this big elaborate fight scene, Indiana Jones just shoots the swordsman. He just shoots him? What? Why? Well, it turns out Harrison Ford, who played Indiana Jones, was sick that day and couldn't handle the demanding choreography. So they had to improvise. Exactly. And they turned that limitation into one of the most iconic moments in the movie. Wow, that's brilliant. Wow. It's a perfect example of how embracing constraints can lead to unexpected creativity.

Exactly. And this strategy can be applied to so many situations in life. Okay, I'm starting to see how this works. What's the next strategy? The next one is called the strategy of waiting. Waiting? Isn't that a bit passive, especially when we're talking about flip thinking? I know, it seems counterintuitive, right? But Gunster emphasizes that sometimes the wisest course of action is actually inaction. So it's about being patient and trusting that the right opportunity will present itself. Exactly. We live in a culture that values speed and action.

But sometimes the best solution is to simply wait and observe. So it's about choosing our battles wisely and not jumping into action prematurely. You got it. It's about being strategic in our inaction. That makes sense. What about the next strategy? The next one is the strategy of amplifying. Amplifying. What does that mean? It's about shifting our focus from what's broken to what's working.

Instead of fixating on problems, what if we identified our strengths and amplified them? I like that. It's a much more positive approach. Exactly. And Gunster uses this example of companies that focus on dissatisfied customers while overlooking the reasons why the majority of their customers are happy. Yeah, they're missing the forest for the trees. Exactly. And it's so easy to fall into that trap. We get so caught up in trying to fix what's wrong that we forget to nurture what's right.

So how do we apply this strategy in real life? One of the most inspiring examples Gunster shares is the story of how blind women in Germany are being trained to detect breast cancer early. Wait, what? Blind women detecting breast cancer? How is that possible? It turns out that because they rely so heavily on their sense of touch, they can often detect tumors that doctors miss during traditional examinations. Wow.

That's incredible. So what was initially perceived as a limitation has actually become a valuable asset. Exactly. And it highlights the power of shifting our perspective and amplifying a strength that might have otherwise been overlooked. I love that example. What's the final strategy in this set? The final strategy is called the strategy of disrupting. Disrupting. That sounds a bit rebellious. It is.

It is in a way. It's about challenging the rules and conventions that are holding us back. So it's about thinking outside the box and shaking things up. Exactly. And sometimes it's about being deliberately provocative to get people's attention and force them to reevaluate their assumptions. OK. I can see how that would be effective. Yeah. Sometimes you need to make a statement to get people to listen. Precisely. And Gunster shares a great example of this strategy in action. Remember that story about the postal worker who wore a dress to work to protest the no shorts rule?

Yeah, I remember that. It was all over the news. It was a brilliant act of disruption. It challenged the absurdity of the rule and sparked a conversation about outdated dress codes. And ultimately led to a change in policy. Exactly. It's a perfect example of how challenging the status quo can create positive change.

I like that. So these first four strategies are all about shifting our perspective, accepting reality, embracing constraints, amplifying our strengths, and disrupting the status quo. Exactly. They're all about looking at challenges in a new light and finding creative solutions. So what's next?

What other strategies does Gunster have up his sleeve? All right. So we've explored those first four strategies and learned how to shift our perspective, embrace constraints, amplify our strengths, and even disrupt status quo. But there's still more to unpack in this flip-thinking luggage. You know, it's fascinating how those first four really set the stage for these next strategies, which delve into those four basic attitudes for navigating challenges. Right. The love, work, battle, and play attitudes.

So let's dive into love. I'm really curious about how love plays a role in problem solving. Well, when Gunster talks about love, he's not talking about romantic love, of course. It's more about approaching challenges with a sense of compassion, acceptance and patience.

It's about seeing the potential for good in people and situations, even when things are tough. So it's about leading with empathy and understanding, trying to see things from the other person's perspective. Exactly. And one strategy that really embodies this attitude is the strategy of forgiveness. Forgiveness. I can see how that ties into the love attitude. But how does forgiveness actually help us solve problems? It seems more like a personal, emotional thing. It's both, actually. You see...

When we hold on to resentment and anger, it weighs us down. It prevents us from seeing clearly and finding creative solutions. So forgiveness is about letting go of that negativity and freeing ourselves to think more clearly. Precisely. And it's not about condoning bad behavior, but rather about releasing the negative energy we hold on to when we refuse to forgive.

It's about recognizing that holding onto anger hurts us more than it hurts the person we're angry with. I get that. But forgiveness can be really hard, especially when someone has hurt us deeply. Any tips on how to cultivate forgiveness? Well, it starts with recognizing that forgiveness is a process, not a destination. It takes time and effort. One technique that could be helpful is to try to see the situation from the other person's perspective.

Try to understand what might have motivated them to act the way they did. Were they hurting? Were they acting out of fear or insecurity? That's a good point. Sometimes hurtful actions come from a place of pain. Seeing things from their perspective can make it easier to let go of the anger and resentment. Exactly. And remember, forgiveness is ultimately about freeing yourself.

It's about letting go of the burden of anger and resentment so you can move forward with a lighter heart. Okay, that makes sense. So forgiveness is a powerful flick thinking tool for releasing negativity and opening ourselves up to new possibilities. What about the work attitude? What strategies fall under that category? Work strategies are all about recognizing that sometimes challenges require grit, persistence, and a willingness to put in the effort.

No magic solutions here. Just good old-fashioned hard work and dedication. Sometimes you just gotta roll up your sleeves and get things done. No shortcuts. Exactly. And one strategy that embodies this spirit is the strategy of persevering. Remember that story about Thomas Edison and his relentless pursuit of the right filament for the light bulb? Oh yeah. He famously said, "I haven't failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Exactly.

He didn't see setbacks as failures, but rather as stepping stones on the path to success. And that's the key to persevering, embracing trial and error, learning from your mistakes and refusing to give up. It's about having that unwavering belief in yourself and your ability to overcome challenges no matter how many times you stumble. That's it. It's about recognizing that the journey to success is often messy and unpredictable.

There will be obstacles and setbacks, but it's your ability to persevere that will ultimately determine your success. Okay, I'm feeling inspired. What about the battle attitude? What strategies fall under that category? Battle strategies are all about recognizing that sometimes you need to fight for what you believe in. They're about strategizing, managing conflict, and knowing when to stand your ground. So this is about being assertive and knowing when to push back, right? Exactly.

It's about choosing your battles wisely and being willing to stand up for yourself, even when it's uncomfortable. One strategy that falls under this attitude is the strategy of eliminating. Eliminating. What does that mean exactly? It's about recognizing that sometimes the best solution is to cut your losses. Stop doing what's not working and create space for something new.

It's about decluttering your life and making room for new possibilities. So it's about letting go of what's no longer serving us, whether it's a project, a relationship, or even just a bad habit. Exactly. It's about recognizing when something has run its course and having the courage to let it go.

Gunster shares a really interesting example of how this strategy was used to address the litter problem in the New York City subway system. Do you remember that? Oh, yeah. I think I read about that. Didn't they try adding more trash cans, but it didn't actually reduce the litter? They did. For years, they kept adding more trash cans, but the litter just kept piling up. Then someone had this radical idea.

Remove all the trash cans from a couple of stations. Seriously, that seems counterintuitive. What happened? Results were amazing. Litter dropped significantly in those stations. Turns out, when there were no trash cans readily available, people were more likely to take their trash with them. Wow. That's a great example of how challenging our assumptions can lead to unexpected solutions.

Sometimes the best way to solve a problem is to simply remove the thing that seems to be causing the problem. Exactly. And that's the power of the strategy of eliminating. Sometimes the most effective solution is to simply remove the obstacle altogether. Okay. I'm starting to see how these battle strategies can be really effective. What about the play attitude? This one seems a bit more lighthearted. It is. Play strategies are all about approaching challenges with a sense of humor, creativity, and a willingness to bend the rules.

They're a reminder not to take ourselves too seriously and to find joy in the process, even when things are tough. We could all use a little more of that playfulness in our lives, especially when we're stressed out and overwhelmed. It's so easy to get bogged down in the seriousness of it all. What's an example of a play strategy? One that really captures the spirit of play is the strategy of flaunting.

It's about embracing what we usually try to hide, turning our perceived flaws or problems into assets. So it's about owning our imperfections and making them part of our unique charm. Exactly. It's about recognizing that what we perceive as weaknesses can actually be strengths in disguise.

Gunster uses the example of the Corvette Museum in Kentucky. Remember when that massive sinkhole opened up under the museum? Oh, yeah. That was a crazy story, those poor Corvettes. Well, instead of trying to repair the sinkhole and hide the damage, the museum decided to embrace it.

They left the sinkhole as it was, with the cars sticking out, and turned it into a tourist attraction. No way! Did that actually work? It did. People flocked to the museum to see the sinkhole and the damaged Corvettes. They even started selling merchandise featuring the sinkhole.

It's a perfect example of how flipping your perspective on a problem can turn it into an opportunity. I love that. It's about turning lemons into lemonade or in this case, sinkholes into tourist attractions. What other play strategies are there? Another great one is the strategy of role reversal. It's about stepping into the other person's shoes to shift the dynamic and gain a fresh perspective. Gunster tells the story about a teacher who used this strategy brilliantly with a student who was complaining about his grades.

The student was upset because he felt like he was being graded unfairly compared to the girls in his class. That's a tough situation. How did the teacher handle it? Instead of arguing the student, the teacher flipped the script and said something like, "Yeah, I was surprised too. Real men usually get at least an 8." Huh. That's awesome. What a great way to disarm the student and shift the energy of the conversation. It's about approaching conflict with a sense of playfulness rather than defensiveness.

It's about recognizing that sometimes the best way to resolve a conflict is to shift the energy and create a more lighthearted atmosphere. I love how these play strategies remind us to lighten up and not take ourselves too seriously. Sometimes a little humor and playfulness can go a long way. Absolutely.

So we've explored all these strategies for flipping our thinking from acceptance to perseverance to disruption to forgiveness to playfulness. It's a pretty amazing toolkit for navigating the challenges of life. It is. It's like Gunster has given us a whole new way of seeing the world, a way that's more creative, more flexible and ultimately more empowering.

And the key takeaway here is that flip thinking is a journey, not a destination. It's about cultivating a mindset of curiosity, openness, and a willingness to see things differently. So the next time you find yourself facing a problem, don't get stuck in that yes but cycle. Instead, ask yourself why.

What if this is an opportunity? Exactly. That simple shift in perspective can open up a world of possibilities. Well, that's about it for our deep dive into flip thinking. Thanks for joining us on this incredible journey. And remember, keep experimenting, keep playing, and keep flipping those problems into possibilities. That's what it's all about.