This morning started with a big problem. One of those all hands on deck kind of problems. It consumed our entire management meeting leaving us without a finite solution, but action items moving in the direction of resolution. I created an ad hoc agenda on the whiteboard and right at the top, as if it was the first topic was the statement “Don’t assume we’ve thought of that.” The purpose of this statement right at the first was to encourage group discussion and participation. I told the team that if you think of something that is a potential risk or solution, throw it out because chances are good no one else has thought of it yet.

As I reflected on this statement, the more I like it as the reciprocal of “There are no dumb questions.” That becomes such an oxymoron statement because you say it in order to spur discussion. People never want to seem stupid or less intelligent than their peers in the group. However, you are asking them to overcome this feeling of stupidity to risk throwing out a question. Now, flip that to “Don’t assume we’ve thought of that” and they become smarter than everyone else for thinking of it. If their concern or idea is not addressed, then they must be the only one smart enough to think that deeply or creatively.

Subtle perception shift, yes, but it fills the meeting with geniuses thinking of unique, innovative solutions inaccessible to others, not a bunch of idiots asking seemingly dumb questions for which everyone else already knows the answer.