As a technology guy, I’ve learned that success often comes from looking beyond the obvious and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas. This approach, thinking horizontally, has been a guiding principle throughout my career and, by extension, my life.
Thinking horizontally means expanding your perspective and exploring ideas that seem unrelated at first glance. It’s about being curious and willing to learn from diverse fields. When you think horizontally, you don’t limit yourself to a narrow set of skills. Instead, you seek to connect dots across a broad playing field, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources.
In my early days, I realized that innovative solutions often emerged from the intersection of different domains. When developing software, we might draw from urban planning or borrow concepts from fast food companies. A website for a small company may draw on thoughts deployed in Fortune 100 clients. You can’t predict which combinations will work best – you have almost no control over it. What you can control over is keeping those pathways open. And when I say discipline, I mean full, all-in, time-consuming attention.
This worldview has taught me to look beyond the obvious. I surround myself with people from diverse backgrounds – engineers, designers, marketers, even philosophers. By bringing together different viewpoints, we generate ideas we never would have conceived alone. One key benefit is better adapting to change. In tech, change is constant. New technologies emerge, customer needs evolve, competitors enter rapidly. If you’re focused on narrow skills, it’s easy to get caught off guard. “We build WordPress sites” is something we would never say. “We build amazing websites, mobile apps, and AI tools that nail your business drivers and blow minds. And yes, sometimes that is a WordPress site and we would love to do that for you” is a totally different story. But thinking horizontally helps you spot inspiration and pivot when needed.
It requires a deep interest in everything. You must read widely, attend events not in your field, and engage with people from all walks of life. Moreover, you need to WANT to do these things. While exhausting, the payoff is worth it.
Balance is crucial – you can’t pursue every idea that comes along or you’ll lose focus on your core mission. The key is being strategic in your exploration, focusing on areas most relevant to your business and likely to generate impact.
For anyone looking to elevate their business, I encourage you to embrace horizontal thinking. Read outside your field. Connect with diverse thinkers. Look for patterns in unexpected places. You might be surprised at the genius that emerges when you connect dots others don’t even see.
