Leading Thoughts for April 17, 2025

IDEAS shared have the power to expand perspectives, change thinking, and move lives. Here are two ideas for the curious mind to engage with:

William Vanderbloemen on complaining:

“Complaining gives us a lot of positive reinforcement. It makes us think we’re smarter than the powers that be, and it helps us bond with a group. Ask anyone who is friends with their very first coworkers from decades ago. Did breakfast sandwiches in the cafeteria and half-day summer Fridays bind them? Or was it a common enemy and a mutual sense of injustice that they could vent to another about? But complaining isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. It has a negative impact on your brain and, not surprisingly, a negative impact on your company culture. It’s better to be a Solver.”

Source: Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits that Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest

II.

Rasmus Hougaard and Jacqueline Carter on using AI to enhance creativity:

“One of the foundations of creativity is being curious and asking questions like What if? Why not? And What else? Human beings are great at asking these types of questions. But unfortunately, we’re limited in our answers because of our experience, knowledge, and biases. Although AI has limitations because of its programming, it can be a terrific creative partner by encouraging our curiosity. With AI, we can ask more questions, get more answers, and bring more fun into the creative process. Many of us can probably relate to painful past experiences of staring at a whiteboard, trying to come up with new, divergent or original ideas. Well, Al can be of help in those situations. Used properly, it can be a great generator of initial ideas, which can help inspire creative thinking. Al can also answer questions and punch holes in an argument or a thesis. Fundamentally, it’s more fun and cognitively easier to ask questions than it is to come up with answers. AI can transform brainstorming sessions into “question-storming sessions,” which can be inherently more enjoyable and engaging and can ultimately produce a greater number of creative outcomes.”

Source: More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead

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Look for these ideas every Thursday on the Leading Blog. Find more ideas on the LeadingThoughts index.

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