The scuba diver and the farmer: why cross-departmental thinking wins

"Creativity is the focused combination of unlikely things. Your mind locks onto a certain element and then searches widely for something unexpected that fits with it. What can scuba diving teach you about agriculture? What can trees teach you about public speaking? There is always some connective tissue between disciplines. If you wish to be more creative, look for the connections between two previously unconnected things." (James Clear)

This applies just as much in a business context. The better you connect with colleagues from other departments, the more creative and innovative your organization will become.

Why should someone from HR connect with a mechanical engineer?

Think about it: Engineers are masters of "preventative maintenance." They fix machines before they break. HR, on the other hand, often intervenes only after the problem has arisen—when the pain for the supervisor or the employee is already real and significant.

What if HR applied the engineer’s "maintenance schedule" concept to team mental health? That is innovation.

We often assume there is no meaningful overlap, but there always is.

Use different perspectives and working styles to reflect on and improve your own approach.

Connect the dots for success. Especially the ones that are not obvious.