The Blinkered Complex occurs when the team underuses the Innovator team role.
Healthy use
When used appropriately, the Innovator team role is used to create new and different ideas and perspectives. Innovators observe the world around them and then use their imaginations to consider what they have observed from a number of different perspectives, and dream up new ideas and insights. Innovators often produce radical solutions to problems and demonstrate an apparent understanding of the unknown (eg: having a long-term vision of the future, being able to imagine what might be happening elsewhere today, or having inexplicable insight into past events).
Insufficient use
If the Innovator team role is used insufficiently, however, and it becomes a 'No-Go-Area' for the team, then they may be unable to see anything except their own perspectives. They may find it difficult to understand or appreciate how others might have differing views, be devoid of new ideas and lack a long-term strategy or vision that extends beyond the immediate objectives before them. They may also find themselves confronted with lots of unanticipated problems (that could have been anticipated with the use of a little imagination) and then find it difficult to solve those problems if they require creative solutions.
The complex is given the name "Blinkered" because the team are only able to see in one direction - what lies immediately in front of them - just as a horse can only see straight ahead when it is wearing blinkers.
Solution
Complexes can be very difficult to deal with. See our general page on Complexes for more information.
A good facilitator or consultant can help the team address the Blinkered Complex in various ways, such as:
- Use creative methods to get the team to think laterally, such as role play, use of pictures/paint and metaphors
- Take them to see comparable teams in completely different environments, to try to widen their imagination
- Use classic brainstorm techniques to develop long-term vision, anticipate potential problems and find solutions to difficult problems that they are unable to solve.
Psychology Footnote
The Blinkered Complex results from the team's rigidity in their avoidance of introverted iNtuition.
See all sixteen team complexes.
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