Idea Surplus Disorder #96

This week in Idea Surplus Disorder, we flip decision-making by asking for no instead of yes, explore the Crisis Quotient of leadership, and uncover the tactical benefits of laziness.

We also dive into why AI-generated content trends toward mediocrity, how algorithms are reshaping the way we think, and why shooting your shot is still one of the best strategies for getting what you want.

Plus, the Rule of Halves to cut the clutter in your work, a better way to frame decisions with What’s Most Likely To…, and an inspiring reminder that a small life might actually be a big life.

And as always, there are fun finds, thought-provoking quotes, and ideas to help you think better about work.

I'm Matt Homann, and I'm glad you're here!

Up Next From Filament

We're busy in March and April at Filament with an incredible mix of free programming and professional development.

• March 7 | NSFW + SuperCollider: On March 7th, learn how to connect your organization's purpose to strategy and work the rest of the day (solo or with your team) at Filament and CIC.  If you can't make March, join us on April 4th.
• March 21 | EmpowerHer SOLD OUT Learn how to clear out negative self-talk and refocus confidence in a supportive, female-only space. Together, we’ll explore authenticity, accountability, and acceptance, leaving attendees with practical tools for stronger self-advocacy and a renewed sense of empowerment.
• April 18 | PlayDays: Unlike traditional workshops, PlayDays aren’t about expertise — they’re about exploring, experimenting, and learning together. Each PlayDay invites curious minds to attend, share insights, swap experiences, and “play” with the ideas and tools transforming work. In our first PlayDay, we'll demystify essential AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

You can find all of Filament's upcoming events here.

Ideas + Insights

Ask for no, don't ask for yes:

When you have something you want to do and that you feel is in scope for your position, but you want a bit of reassurance or to let the boss know what you are up to, it’s common to reach out and ask them for permission. Don’t. Don’t ask for a yes. Instead, offer a chance to say no, but with a deadline.

Who in your organization has the highest Crisis Quotient?

To get started with applying this new quotient, ask a few questions. What have been the biggest leadership challenges over the last two years? Who handled them well? Who struggled? What are the patterns and common themes? If we assume complexity, ambiguity, and disruption are only going to increase over time, what skills do the future leaders of your company need?

I knew it! There are tactical benefits of laziness:

[O]nce you step away from moral judgement and focus on its most basic definition, laziness is simply the disinclination to use energy. And being lazy can actually have advantages — many of them backed by scientific research.

The majority of AI-derived content aims for a mediocre middle because that’s all it knows how to do.

If the generic and obvious has less value, what does that mean for the unusual and different? The creative challenge for systems based on aggregating data from human activity (and of course LLMs are also mechanical Turks) is that creativity is variance and variance looks like an error, so theoretically, the more that you know what’s different but good, the better you’ll be.

Related: Algorithms are breaking how we think:

It seems to me like algorithms which promote content through a simple lens of positive or negative engagement would reinforce those binaries and contribute to polarization. And as people learn about new products through the slot machine of social media feeds, they can develop a learned helplessness where they will wait to be sold on a solution for their problems rather than be introspective and explore what their problems actually are and how they might be able to come up with their own solutions which don’t cost any money.

There are two ways to live a longer life:

• Biologically. Extend the timeline between your birth and your death.
• Psychologically. Fit more lives into whatever time you are given.

What if my small life is actually a big life? True for biz too, I suppose.

I've shared Sketchplanations before, but if it's new to you, check it out.

Hamilton had it right. Shoot Your Shot:

Closed mouths don't get fed. If you want something, and you've done the work to deserve it, go ask for it. Worst case, you're told no, and you're right back where you started. Best case, it's yours. Never say no to yourself. Shoot the damn shot.

The Rule of Halves is a great tip from the book The Friction Project:

Look at your work. Your meetings and emails. Those letters and reports you write. Imagine you eliminated 50 percent of them, and those that remained were 50 percent shorter

Before you choose between options, begin the conversation with What's Most Likely To ...

Asking participants which idea is “most likely to _____” asks them to hypothesize, not accurately predict an outcome from constrained options such as calling heads or tails for a coin toss.

Fun Finds

• ShadeMap shows shadows throughout the day for anywhere on Earth.
• BracketCity is an interesting online word game.
• MuscleWiki
• A competitive quartet.
• The original Simpsons shorts from the Tracy Ullman show.
• I love nearly everything CDK Dance Company does.
• The Cool Tools OmniList may be more valuable (and certainly more interesting) than Wirecutter.

Words of Wisdom

The greatest danger to our future is apathy. We can't all save the world in a dramatic way, but we can each make our small difference, and together those small differences add up. Every single person makes an impact on the planet every single day. The question is: What kind of impact do you want to make? – Jane Goodall

There are no traffic jams on the extra mile. – Zig Ziglar

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear. – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Our tools have done us a disservice, and we've paid for them to do it. – Alex Morris

No work of art is ever finished; it can only be abandoned in an interesting place. – Jeff Tweedy

Enough is a decision not an amount. – Allison Faulkner

When most people say they want to be a millionaire, what they might actually mean is “I’d like to spend a million dollars.” And that is literally the opposite of being a millionaire. – Morgan Housel