Logical incrementalism
Surrender to uncertainty
Few books have grabbed me so earnestly, plus been sufficiently well and succinctly written, that I’ve been able to finish them cover to cover in a single weekend. I’m not a particularly fast reader, so being able to consume a tomb in a weekend is no go for me. I also have trouble keeping focus on a book long enough to read continuously for a few hours, let a lone a few days. So, a prolific reader I am not.
In 2021 I came across The Surrender Experiment, by Michael A Singer. The first book I have ever read cover to cover in a single weekend. As Michael takes readers through his pathway from student to lecturer, then building a yoga community but also founding and scaling a medical software company, it’s hard not be drawn to his philosophy to life.
Be open to experience, say yes to opportunity. That’s not to say opportunity shouldn’t first be evaluated for suitability, it should, but start with a mindset of seeking to say yes.
This is also a great business philosophy. Combined with another concept, logical incrementalism, it lends itself well to innovation and sustainable competitive advantage.
The basic idea of logical incrementalism is to set a strong and clear, yet general vision (call it a clear purpose if you like, semantics aside they’re pretty much the same thing). Then rather than plan everything, follow your instincts and act based on circumstances as they are. Often these will be small steps, and sometimes big leaps.
In a similar sense to jumping from rock to rock to get across a stream. You want to cross the stream, but the rocks are scattered and in such a way that you must constantly assess and reassess which rock you’ll jump too next. Often the next rock will be very close, a small step, and others you’ll need to leap across to. Sometimes you’ll need to go backwards to find a new path forwards or even climb back up onto a rock if you slipped or didn’t quite make a jump!
The point is, it’s clear where you are going but the path there is open to suggestion and continuous adaptation to circumstances as they are.
Business Strategy Hub explains this is the philosophy of global homewares and furniture giant IKEA. It’s also one employed by market leading Australian conglomerate Wesfarmers who assess opportunities through a lens of making incremental, logical acquisitions that support growth over time.
My career developed from IT support officer to freelance business consultant through logical incrementalism. I’ll admit it’s only in hindsight that I realised I’d been applying the principle, yet it’s served me just as well as it can serve growing a successful business through year after year of uncertainty. Because let’s face it, the future is never clear, so you may as well surrender to it.
Cover image: Photo by lioneltitu on Freeimages.com