Imagination is what lets us see beyond our own experiences and circumstances, and to put ourselves in the situation someone else finds themselves in. Imagination is what helps actors embody their characters, writers transport us to places far away from our homes, and painters depict worlds that have never existed.
I’d like to share an important and tactical use for imagination. When faced with a difficult and complex situation, ask: “What else do I need to know about this? What assumptions may I be making? What could someone who is different from me tell me about what’s going on?”
This simple shift in perspective tickles our imagination and opens up new avenues of thought.
