Unpredictability: A Vital Issue... Even in Rock, Paper, Scissors
Let's face it, Rock, Paper, Scissors evokes playgrounds more than boardrooms. However, a fascinating research highlights an unsettling truth: we are, by nature, bad Rock, Paper, Scissors players. And this lack of unpredictability could be costly for our companies.
The study in question analyzed thousands of games, scrutinizing the brain activity of the participants. Verdict: our brain struggles to generate randomness. We prefer rock, we avoid repeating the previous move. In short, we are predictable. And in the business world, predictability is rarely an asset.
Why Our Brain Betrays Us
The problem is our tendency to look for patterns, even where there are none. Our brain is wired to identify regularities, to anticipate. That's what allowed us to survive, to thrive. But in Rock, Paper, Scissors (and in many other situations), it's a handicap.
This difficulty in breaking free from our habits, from our cognitive biases, is particularly striking in business. We continue to rely on proven strategies, even if they no longer work. We surround ourselves with similar profiles, reinforcing our certainties. We are afraid of innovation, of disruption. In short, we always play the same card, hoping for a different result.
Hyperscanning: Scanning Brains to Decipher Interaction
The mentioned study uses a hyperscanning technique to observe the brain activity of several people interacting. This approach allows us to better understand how decisions are made in a social context, particularly in competitive situations.
Until now, hyperscanning was mainly used to study cooperation. But its application to competition, as shown in this Rock, Paper, Scissors study, opens up fascinating perspectives. Imagine being able to analyze the brain activity of two competing companies during a crucial negotiation. We could identify moments of tension, cognitive biases, and the weak signals that betray their intentions.
Rock, Paper, Scissors, Mirror of Our Strategies
So, what is the connection between Rock, Paper, Scissors and digital transformation? Everything. Rock, Paper, Scissors is a powerful metaphor for the need to adapt, to innovate, to surprise. In a constantly evolving market, companies that cling to their old habits are doomed to failure. We must accept uncertainty, dare to take risks, embrace change.
Digital transformation is not just about technology. It is primarily a question of mindset. We must deconstruct our thought patterns, question our certainties, and learn to think differently.
Concrete leads for the company:
- Reverse brainstorming: Instead of looking for ideas, identify all the reasons why a strategy might fail.
- Uncompromising retrospective: Analyze past failures without looking for excuses. Identify the biases that led to these errors.
- Dare to experiment: Launch pilot projects, test new approaches, learn from your mistakes.
Becoming a Master of Rock, Paper, Scissors... and Business
The key to winning at Rock, Paper, Scissors (and in the business world) is therefore to cultivate unpredictability. But how? There is no magic recipe. But there are techniques to stimulate creativity, to get out of your comfort zone, to challenge your own assumptions.
The first step is to become aware of your own biases. To understand why we tend to choose rock, to avoid repeating the same move. Once we have identified our weaknesses, we can start working on them.
Then, we need to surround ourselves with people who think differently. With atypical profiles, creatives, innovators. We need to create an environment where new ideas are encouraged, where failure is seen as a learning opportunity.
Finally, we must accept not controlling everything. To let go. To trust our intuition. Because sometimes, the best strategy is to play... randomly. Rock, Paper, Scissors, more than just a game, a strategy lesson for 21st century businesses? Certainly.