Strategic Intuition by William Duggan - A Positive Reading Experience

Intuition? Nonsense!

First I was really sceptical about the whole concept. 

But after reading some pages of 'Strategic Intuition' I was forced to change my mind (which is always ... tough).

Duggan illustrates human achievements across time (Kopernikus, Napoleon, Buddha etc.). His introduction of history of science is thoroughly and interestingly written. Additionally, his brain research chapter explained me many cognition and learning related open topics.

All is centered around the concept of Coup d'oeil. It is like strike of the eye: a glance. This consists of 4 phases:

1. Intelligent memory. Expert intuition relies on your own experience, while strategic intuition draws on the experience of everyone else in the world as well. You don't just search the shelves of your own experience - you search out examples from history far and wide.
2. Presence of mind. You clear your mind of all expectations and previous ideas of what you might do or even what your goal is.
3. Flash of insight. In a free mind selected elements from various past examples come together in a new combination.
4. Resolution. This means resolve, determination, will.

After introducing these steps, Duggan goes to the world of business. With examples from Google and Microsoft he shows how strategic intuition works in commercial settings.

So far, a fascinating book. I need to digest a bit more ;-)

Update 22nd December 2008: At the end of the book Duggan had some critical comments about creativity and especially CPS (Creative Problem Solving). I enjoyed the following comments:

"These ... techniques reveal the common misunderstanding that creative ideas come from wishes, the subconscious, or the five senses. None of these methods directs you to examples from history as the source of creativity. And they do not encourage presence of mind. They are forms of concentration, not clearing your mind."

"The best way to think out of the box is to look in other boxes"

What about creative workplaces? Duggan nicely critisizes the hyper-social-express-yourself-environments:

"The playful environment certainly make them feel more creative, but feeling creative and producing creative results are not the same thing. " ... A practicioner of Zen could make the opposite argument: the most creative work environment is a bland, empty box"

Hmm, wait a minute: I and my architect brother Timo are currently involved in designing healthier, creative, more focused working environments and spaces. Maybe we should talk to William :-)

Still, one thing was missing in the book:

What happens if you think that you are using strategic intuition and you still fail? Can the failure then be ... enormous? What are those automatically correcting mechanisms?

Please, check also the related website: http://www.strategic-intuition.com

Comments

[Nancy Casta]

To get a really clear view on what 'intuition' is about, I suggest a book called "The Legend" from the author Alex Mero.

[Mikko Ahonen]

Thanks, Nancy.

I will add 'The Legend' to my reading list :-)

Cheers

Mikko