Bluesky Thinking with Concrete Foundations

By Ben Pattison

At the quarter-point of this century, there’s no shortage of data – in fact there’s never been so much.

So why are some problems still ever-present? Why are some problems so stubborn. Why are so many current policy positions and proscriptions so impotent, despite the assurances of due process and armies of dedicated PhDs?

Perhaps it’s the way we’re thinking about them. Perhaps it’s the questions we’re not asking.

Perhaps there’s a growing chasm between what we think we know about people, and how they actually are.

In truth, it’s all the above, with a fair dose of confirmation bias, jaded cynicism, fear of causing offence, the providing of reports to simply validate an already-agreed decision and, pesky short-termism which cripples the manufacture of policy solutions.

That’s why Wellsteed Group has developed a policy formulation methodology that encourages ideas and innovation, while still being grounded in the irrefutable realities of human nature and behavioural science.

At the heart of all policy creation is the cultivation of good ideas and the ability to change individuals, companies or markets' behaviour: and to successfully do this you need Bluesky Thinking with Concrete Foundations.

‘Bluesky Thinking’:

-              Limitless creativity

-              Think outside the box

-              Be bold and courageous

-              Dare to design differently

-              Be inventive, be innovative

-              Choose optimism and take calculated risks

-              Sometimes the counterintuitive can actually work

‘Concrete Foundations’:

-              Keep it Simple

-              Don’t go overboard

-              Know what’s worked before and what hasn’t (know your history)

-              Apply the fundamentals of behavioural change

-              Test and Test again – let the data speak

-              Be realistic, be practical, accept that people often say one thing and do another

-              Use logic and emotion

How is this approach different in market?

In most organisations, the creatives and the analysts don’t mix. Apples and Oranges, Dogs and Cats. This is a broad sweeping statement, yet for the most part it holds up.

Wellsteed Group consists of people with both ‘Left and Right’ brain polarity – that is, creatives who are analytical and analysts who are creative. Thinkers who can do. Doers who can think. We believe this to be rare in market and we’re prepared to be put to the test.

If you’ve got a policy problem that requires some fresh thinking, please reach out today.

 ben@wellsteedgroup.com

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