We have all heard the phrase “follow the path less traveled.” This typically refers to making unconventional choices, taking a different approach than what has been proven standard.
In the world of business, innovation, and opportunities, this idea is more than just a poetic notion — it is an absolutely powerful strategy for success.
However, many organizations prefer to err on the side of caution, sticking to the status quo and following established best practices. It has worked for others, so it should work for you, right? At a glance, this concept may seem true. However, it often produces the exact opposite result for many.
This route only leads to heated competition where you are forced to compete by lowering prices and losing a foothold in your industry.
It Is Okay to Be on the Opposite Page
While you are busy being a follower, others are instead challenging the status quo and making groundbreaking innovations that transform entire industries. I would rather you be the latter of those two, and what this takes is the principle of going opposite.
The path less traveled often proves to be the most fruitful. The most groundbreaking ideas often come from challenging the status quo and embracing the very opposite of what seems logical or conventional. Quite the opposite, sticking to conventional methods can stifle creativity and limit potential growth.
It is time for you and your organization to shift to the path of maximum growth, which is that path-less-traveled as mentioned before. It is time for you and your organization to go opposite directions for better results!
The Benefit of Going Opposite
For over 30 years, I have been teaching multimillion-dollar enterprises and small businesses alike the profound benefit of being Anticipatory. Being Anticipatory teaches business leaders, managers, and more to look to the future to find opportunities when disruption threatens their status quo.
Yet in my time teaching Anticipatory Leaders, I have also found that one of the greatest assets of being an Anticipatory Organization is the ability to look where no one else is looking with great confidence as well.
It is more than just going opposite directions. This is rooted in a principle I call the Law of Opposites. With this, you look in the opposite direction everyone else is looking and what you will find are unique opportunities in the most inconspicuous places.
By leveraging this law, business leaders and whole organizations can uncover hidden opportunities and create significant competitive advantage they would otherwise miss. Initially, many fear that looking in the opposite direction will leave them in uncharted territory unnecessarily. For instance, why would a restaurant look at what is currently going on in the auto industry? That should do quite the opposite, right?
This principle of going opposite has the opposite effect of that fear, revealing unexpected opportunities! With an approach that places organizations on opposite sides of conventional thinking, you take on a new viewpoint.
There are many different forms of going opposite. Let’s look at three examples of organizations that have challenged what others would consider the “norm” in their industry and found success using the Law of Opposites:
Finding Significance in the Toy Industry with Play-Doh
Back in the early 1930s, Kutol Products developed a pliable compound used for cleaning soot from wallpaper. With the use of coal-burning stoves to heat homes, this venture was extremely successful, but as the years went on and coal was replaced with cleaner oil, gas, and electricity, Kutol Products found their sales declining and their business in jeopardy.
Instead of trying to compete, Kutol Products did just the opposite. They looked elsewhere and changed industries entirely! What else could pliable, molding clay be used for? They realized that their product’s molding capability made it the perfect creative and fun product for children. Out of this completely opposite end of their industry, Play-Doh was born. It went on to become one of the more successful toys for children.
How Taco Bell Did Just the Opposite of Others
The Taco Bell we know and love today certainly did not start out as a Mexican fast food franchise. Believe it or not, Taco Bell actually began as a hamburger and hot dog vending cart! When founder Glen Bell discovered that Mexican-inspired cuisine was gaining prominence in his area, he decided to rise to the occasion.
Though instead of trying to compete with other high-end Mexican restaurants in his area, Bell took a different approach and looked in other areas for his business. He took advantage of a gap in the market and created a low-cost, convenient alternative that soared in popularity. This approach positioned Taco Bell at the opposite end of the dining spectrum and led them to great success!
Slack Going in an Opposite Direction
Slack is currently one of the largest cloud-based communication platforms in the world. It is used by organizations worldwide to send messages both privately and publicly among employees. Just the opposite of what you might expect, its humble beginnings started out as an online adventure game called Glitch!
While the game Glitch was not financially sustainable, its messaging system was quite revolutionary. When the organization realized this, they pivoted and rebranded their messaging system for a completely different industry — the workforce. By taking all the principles of the Glitch messaging system and applying it to professional settings, this had the opposite effect of what most would assume. It made cloud-based communication even easier for all!
Go Opposite Directions and Identify Untapped Business Opportunity
Leveraging the Law of Opposites and putting in the effort to go opposite has two critical benefits to organizations.
For one, when faced with what appears to be insurmountable competition, it allows organizations to leap ahead, pivoting their offerings to see what others miss.
And secondly, organizations can break free from the confines of conventional thinking and put themselves in a position of innovation that is both unique and transformative. This creative critical thinking is absolutely necessary in today’s fast-paced, digitally disruptive world.
In any overcrowded marketplace, the ability to look elsewhere — to see what others do not on the opposite side — is not just a competitive edge. It is now a necessity to innovate and stay ahead of the curve!
Will your organization rise to the challenge of taking the path less traveled by going opposite?
Don’t just follow the crowd; dare to go opposite and unlock hidden opportunities that others overlook. Embrace unconventional strategies to stay ahead in today’s rapidly changing business landscape. Discover how to leverage AI for groundbreaking growth and innovation by downloading Daniel Burrus’ latest AI Strategy Report. Get your copy now at www.aiStrategyReport.com and start transforming your business future today!
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