Stimulus | Helping Doctors overcome burnout, excel in leadership, and unlock their most fulfilling careers

102. Ten Percent of a Bad Idea | Why your gut reaction may lead you astray

05.15.2023 - By Rob Orman, MDPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

In this episode, we explore the 10% rule - the idea that in disagreement, the other person is at least 10% right. This is a tool for conflict abatement and resolution.  It’s easy to get caught up in the rightness of our own opinions and ideas – whether it’s in medicine, business, leadership, relationships, or any time we interact with others. However, this can be detrimental to collaboration and creativity. The basics of the 10% rule are simple. When presented with an idea that your gut reaction is to reject, find the 10% value. For example, someone says to you, “I’m thinking of buying one of the decommissioned space shuttles so I can get to work faster.” On the surface, you might think that’s moronic. But what’s the 10% in there? Maybe it’s that they’re thinking of a way to improve the commute to work. So instead of completely rejecting the idea, you could say, “What I like about that idea is less commuting stress and getting to work faster. Let’s build on that and see what other ideas we can come up with.” The 10% rule is different than saying you like the idea itself because that might be a lie. You might not like the idea in total, but there’s almost certainly 10% in there that you do like. By finding that 10%, you can build on it and create a more collaborative interaction. Awake and Aware | Our 2024 Live Event Join us at Awake and Aware 2024, a transformative 3-day workshop from May 1st to 3rd in Bend, Oregon. Mitigate stress and stay cool under pressure. Create the mindset you want and lock it in. Limited slots. Website: Awakeandawarebend.com 16.25 Hours Category 1 AMA CME The Flameproof CourseCohorts 1 and 2 sold out. Cohort 3 begins Sept 10, 2024. This is the hidden anti-burnout curriculum we all should have learned in training. Get the deets Out on TimeStay out of chart debt. Document like a legend. Get home on time! Begins August 15, 2024. Learn more here For full show notes of this episode and all sorts of other goodies, visit our podcast website We discussThe sublime feeling of basking in our own rightnessHow to operationalize the 10% ruleDon't lie and try to appeaseYes vs No. And vs But.All the buts in your dayThe 10% Rule in real-time

More episodes from Stimulus | Helping Doctors overcome burnout, excel in leadership, and unlock their most fulfilling careers