Idea Surplus Disorder

Your weekly dose of innovation, ideation, and inspiration from Matt Homann.

Recent Newsletter

Newsletter

Idea Surplus Disorder #128

This week: a reframe that gave a roomful of cautious leaders permission to take risks, a simple question from Kevin Kelly that might change how you start your mornings, and a handful of tools for thinking more clearly about the things you're most certain about.

Writing

Stop Calling It Failure. Start Calling It Tuition.

I'm happy for us to pay tuition to learn a lesson, but I'll be damned if I'm willing for us to pay to take the same class twice." One CEO's reframe changed how her entire leadership team thought about risk.

Newsletter

Idea Surplus Disorder #127

This week in Idea Surplus Disorder: a simple question to clarify expectations, sobering data on how poorly we listen, why AI may intensify work instead of reduce it, and how “evidence-based” thinking can kill bold ideas.

Writing

75% Tomorrow or 95% Next Week?

"Would you rather have it at 75% tomorrow, or 95% next week?" This simple question surfaces mismatched expectations before anyone over-invests or gets frustrated.

Newsletter

Idea Surplus Disorder #126

This week in Idea Surplus Disorder: a deceptively simple icebreaker for deeper connection, why “preparing” isn’t progress, when AI is actually worth delegating to, and how writing creates real leverage. Plus, habits to let go of in 2026 and a question that unlocks team optimism.

Newsletter

Idea Surplus Disorder #125

This week’s Idea Surplus Disorder marks a reset. A cleaner design, new sections, a weekly question, and some of my own writing. I hope you like it!

Idea Surplus Disorder Issue #124

This edition reflects on slowing time, practicing radical candor, choosing virtue over values, and showing up more human in work, leadership, and life.

Writing

The Fortune Teller & The Four-Year-Old

A deceptively simple icebreaker that creates real connection: one person plays Fortune Teller, the other a curious Four-Year-Old asking about their future. The twist? The "predictions" are stories from their own life. In 30 minutes, strangers become colleagues who actually know each other.

Upcoming

Speaking in Austin, TX on February 12 Facilitation in Chicago, IL on March 9

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