Andy Sowards
If you want to succeed in business, then you really need to think like a Fortune 500 CEO, even if you business isn’t exactly big-time just yet. You need to be sharp, you need to be up-to-date, you need to be able to think outside of the box. Here are a few things that will help you with that.
Challenge Your Assumptions
If you’re still convinced that more meetings equal more progress, it’s time to rethink. Great business thinkers question the status quo rather than accept it. Next time someone suggests doubling down on the same old strategy, play devils advocate. Ask “Why not try the opposite?” or “What if we treated our biggest weakness as our secret weapon?” This habit of constructive scepticism breaks you out of mental ruts and sparks fresh ideas.
Embrace Structured Brainstorming
Unleashing creativity doesn’t mean scribbling random words on a whiteboard until something sticks. Use structured techniques like SCAMPER—Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, Reverse—to dissect and rebuild ideas methodically. Invite your team to riff on each prompt for a few minutes, then rotate to the next. You’ll generate more viable options quickly, and the process feels more like a creative gym session than a chaotic free-for-all.
Read Widely, Think Widely
The best business insights often come from completely unrelated fields. A fiction writer’s approach to character arcs can inspire customer journey mapping, while a history book on ancient trade routes might spark ideas for global expansion. Set a goal to read one book outside your industry every quarter. Even a short article on quantum physics or modern art can blow apart your habitual thinking patterns and reveal unexpected parallels.
Map Your Mental Models
Your brain uses mental models, frameworks for understanding how things work, to simplify complexity. From the Pareto principle to systems thinking, mastering a toolkit of models accelerates your analysis. Keep a running list in a notebook or an app, and challenge yourself to apply a different model to each problem you encounter. Over time you’ll spot patterns, predict outcomes more accurately and avoid decision-making blind spots.
Leverage Smart Tools and Supplements
In a world flooded with productivity hacks, picking the right tools makes a difference. Try mind-mapping apps to visualise connections or project-management platforms to break big goals into bite-sized tasks. Some professionals explore nootropics like semax for cognitive enhancement, though it’s wise to research safety, efficacy and legal considerations before experimenting. Remember, no supplement replaces solid thinking habits, but the right support can boost focus when you need it most.
Debrief and Iterate
Business thinking isn’t a one-and-done deal. After every project or major decision, conduct a quick post-mortem. What worked, what flopped and which surprises emerged? Frame these questions in a blame-free way so your team feels safe sharing honest feedback. Then, document those lessons and build them into your next cycle. This iterative mindset turns every success and setback into fuel for smarter choices.
Practice Mindful Reflection
Even the sharpest minds need downtime. Schedule regular pauses for reflection—whether during a solitary walk, a quiet coffee break or a brief meditation session. Use this time to clear your mental cache, review priorities and reconnect with your long-term vision. Pausing regularly prevents burnout, sharpens intuition and gives you the space to connect dots you might miss in the daily whirlwind.
Think better, be better, build a more successful business.
