In this episode of The Brainy Business podcast, Melina Palmer delves into the intriguing concept of functional fixedness—the mental block that limits our ability to see alternative uses for familiar objects. Drawing on the popular saying, "when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail," Melina illustrates how this phenomenon can hinder creativity and problem-solving in both personal and professional contexts.

Through engaging anecdotes, including the famous Apollo 13 mission, she highlights the importance of reframing our thinking to unlock innovative solutions. Melina emphasizes that by stepping outside our established mindsets, we can discover new opportunities and enhance collaboration within teams. Listeners will gain valuable insights into how functional fixedness manifests in everyday life and learn practical strategies to overcome it.

In this episode:

Explore the concept of functional fixedness and its impact on decision-making.
Learn how reframing problems can lead to innovative solutions.
Discover the significance of divergent thinking and its role in creativity.
Understand the consequences of being too narrowly focused in professional settings.
Gain insights into practical exercises to enhance creative thinking in your work.

Get important links, top recommended books and episodes, and a full transcript at thebrainybusiness.com/492.

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492. Breaking Free from Functional Fixedness

The Brainy Business | Understanding the Psychology of Why People Buy | Behavioral Economics