Solving hard problems consistently is what sets you apart from others.
Imagine having a secret weapon to see every problem from multiple angles, unlocking solutions others miss.
The 7 Lenses concept, borrowed from game development and applied to product development, management, and strategy, is that secret weapon.
It has helped me produce interesting ideas and superior solutions countless times.
Whether you’re:
- planning a product launch,
- negotiating a business deal,
- attempting to solve a team conflict,
- developing a marketing campaign, or
- are simply trying to set up your project properly,
the 7 Lenses will help you see beyond the point many get stuck at.
Let’s dive in.
1. Lens of Truth
Ask: What would this look like if it were true?
Assume the truth of a situation and explore its implications. Uncover underlying truths and understand why certain beliefs or assumptions exist.
- Got a customer complaint? Treat their feedback as 100% accurate and think about what changes should be made.
- Looking into a project’s failure? Examine the situation assuming that all the reported issues occurred just as described.
- Assessing a business opportunity? Think about the impact on your business if all the claims about its potential were true.
2. Lens of a Bird
Ask: What does this look like from above?
Take a meta-level perspective and identify overarching concepts and relationships.
- Looking at a marketing plan? Think about how it fits your overall brand goal.
- Thinking of changing your company's structure? Consider how it will impact your company culture in the long run.
- Creating a new feature? Think about how it matches your company's main objectives.
3. Lens of Essential Experience
Ask: What is someone else’s experience with this?
Understand the problem from an expert’s perspective. By considering their experiences, you can gain insights that might not be apparent from your viewpoint.
- Starting a new product? Chat with an experienced product manager who has done it before.
- Got a tough negotiation? Learn from a colleague who's handled big deals.
- Team morale low? Ask a team leader who's good at keeping spirits up when times are hard.
4. Lens of the Steel Man
Ask: What is the best argument for this?
Create the strongest version of an argument. This lens encourages you to build the best case for a perspective, enhancing your understanding and fostering constructive debate.
- Thinking of a new business model? Make the best argument for why it could work.
- Thinking of changing a policy? Build a strong case for the new policy.
- Meeting resistance to a new strategy? Make the best case for why the strategy is good.
5. Lens of the Devil’s Advocate
Ask: What is the strongest counter-argument against this?
Playing the devil’s advocate means finding the most compelling counter-arguments. This lens helps you identify potential weaknesses and prepares you to address criticisms effectively.
- Suggesting a budget increase? Think about the best reasons why it might not be needed.
- Planning to move the office? Think about the strongest reasons why staying put might be better.
- Creating a new product? Consider the most persuasive arguments why it might not succeed.
6. Lens of Innovation
Ask: How can this be approached with unconventional methods?
Innovation is about exploring new approaches. This lens pushes you to think creatively and consider unconventional solutions that might not be immediately obvious.
- Changing a sales process? Consider fun methods like games.
- Creating a customer service plan? Look into AI chat helpers for interesting customer talks.
- Bettering team work? Think about using virtual reality for distant team fun activities.
7. Lens of Scalability
Ask: How would this issue change if scaled up or down?
Scalability involves understanding how a solution works at different scales. This lens helps you assess whether a solution can be effectively expanded or reduced to meet varying needs.
- Starting a test project? Think about what would happen if everyone in the company used it.
- Making a special product? Think about how easy or hard it would be to sell it to lots of people.
- Making a process simpler? Consider what would happen if the company became twice as big.
Each lens gives different insights. Take a few with your next problem and make your solution 3x better.
