Management Tip of the Day: Need New Ideas? Trade Places

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Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile MAY 7, 2010 Need New Ideas? Trade Places When two successful CEOs switched places for a day, the result was new ideas and a fresh perspective. Don't limit your imagination to what you already know. If you need to innovate, don't look to what others in your industry are doing, or to your past successes. Seek out a new experience, put yourself in a new context, and find ideas already proven in one field that might be applicable to yours. If you can, find someone who has a similar job in a different industry and trade experiences; what might be routine and ordinary for him may be revolutionary for you. Today's Management Tip was adapted from "Trading Places: A Smart Way to Change Your Mind" by Bill Taylor. Read the full blog post and join the discussion » Share Today's Tip: RELATED PRODUCT To Be a Better Leader, Give Up Authority Harvard Business Review Article In chaotic times, an executive's instinct may be to strive for greater efficiency by tightening control. At least two companies, CSC Germany and ANADIGICS, have done the opposite — to impressive effect. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Tip: BEST SELLERS Financial Intelligence Collection 10 Must-Read Articles from HBR HBR's Must-Reads on Managing Yourself Guide to Better Business Writing How to Get the Right Work Done PREVIOUS TIPS Appeal to Your Customers' Emotions 3 Classic Strategy Mistakes to Avoid Motivate People by Participating in Their Stories 3 Tips for Asking Better Questions 3 Steps to Exiting a Conversation Gracefully Use the Three-Minute Rule to Better Understand Your Customers Enjoy Trying on the Way to Achieving 3 Things to Assess Before You Back Down 3 Ways to Keep Good Employees in a Bad Economy Ask for Immediate Feedback HBR Online Trial Access HBR's in-depth business archives FREE for 14 days. Register today » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "Management Tip of the Day" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2010 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 1-800-545-7685 (617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)