Inspired by Dorothy’s journey to Oz, the ‘Not Kansas’ technique is about deliberately shifting your mental landscape from the familiar to the extraordinary. By imagining your problem in a world with different rules—where objects talk, gravity is optional, or emotions are visible colors—you bypass logical blocks and find breakthrough solutions.
We’re Not in Kansas Anymore
Logic is bound by the laws of physics and economics. Imagination is not. To find a truly original idea, you must first leave the “reasonable” world behind.
Define the Problem
Clearly state your challenge.
Example: “How can we make our customer service experience truly delightful?”
Enter Your 'Oz'
Close your eyes and visualize a transition to a fantastical world. What are the rules? Who lives there?
- A world where customer service is handled by singing robots in a giant candy factory.
- A city where every problem is solved by magical creatures in an enchanted forest.
- A planet where every emotion is a visible cloud of colored gas.
Introduce the Problem
Observe how your problem manifests in this new world.
In the Candy Factory, the problem appears as a broken conveyor belt, and the robots are trying to fix it with off-key songs. The “customers” are melting chocolate bars.
Discover the 'Magical' Solution
How would this world naturally fix the issue?
A tiny, wise lollipop instructs the robots to stop singing and start listening to the vibrations of the conveyor belt. Suddenly, the belt starts moving smoothly.
Translate Back to Reality
What is the core principle of that magical fix?
- The Principle: Active listening.
- The Idea: Train agents to “listen for the vibrations”—the unstated needs and emotions of the customer—before offering a solution.
Practice
Problem: “Our team meetings are boring.” In your ‘Not Kansas’ world, everyone must wear a mask that represents their current mood. How does this change the meeting? What is the real-world takeaway?