Learn to think differently: Eight simple steps for leaders * Dr Ken Hudson

Leaders must be effective and efficient, but in today's hyper-competitive market, they must also think differently to stay ahead of the game. Business schools often teach leaders to think in the same way, so it's vital to break out of the business-as-usual cycle to generate new ideas and solutions. Leaders can set goals to improve their ability to think differently, challenge the consensus by considering different perspectives, and even go against the mainstream. Use thinking tools such as mind mapping and the newBlitztool to turn problems around and generate fresh insights.