Lenses · Lens

Detective

Separate observations from interpretations, build competing hypotheses, and look for disconfirming evidence.

• Run a Short, Concrete Information InterviewAsk permission, focus on one recent event, follow the sequence step by step and separate remembered facts, estimates and interpretation.
• Run a Detail Check Before You ShipInspect a concrete artifact against a small checklist, run a second pass from a different angle, log anomalies, and improve the checklist from real misses rather than training vagu
• Turn a Large Goal into the Next Verifiable StepDefine the finish condition, expose dependencies, split the goal into observable deliverables, and choose the smallest next step that creates information or progress.
• Recognize and Challenge Your Own Cognitive BiasesRecognize and challenge your own cognitive biases.
• Cultivate a Curious Mindset, Always Eager to Learn and Understand MoreCultivate a curious mindset, always eager to learn and understand more.
• Practice Solving Small, Everyday Problems to Build Your Problem-Solving SkillsPractice solving small, everyday problems to build your problem-solving skills.
• Start by Gathering All Relevant Information and Facts Related to the Problem You're TryingStart by gathering all relevant information and facts related to the problem you're trying to solve. Pay attention to both the positive and negative evidence.
• Engage in Games and Puzzles That Require Deductive ReasoningEngage in games and puzzles that require deductive reasoning.
• Try to View Your Life and Decisions from an Objective PerspectiveTry to view your life and decisions from an objective perspective.
• Create Memory Aids to Help Remember ObservationsCreate memory aids to help remember observations.
• Keep a Dedicated Notebook Where You Record Observations, Questions, and ReflectionsKeep a dedicated notebook where you record observations, questions, and reflections.
• Analyze Data in Your Daily Life to Make Better DecisionsAnalyze data in your daily life to make better decisions.
• Base Your Decisions on Evidence Rather Than Assumptions or FeelingsBase your decisions on evidence rather than assumptions or feelings.
• Consider What Normally Happens in Similar Situations Before Assuming an Unusual ExplanationConsider what normally happens in similar situations before assuming an unusual explanation. Ask yourself: ‘Why should this be any different?’
• Always Question Whether the Facts Are Really TrueAlways question whether the facts are really true. Ask yourself: ‘Is this really so? Did this actually happen?’
• Create Flowcharts to Visualize the Steps and Decision Points in a ProcessCreate flowcharts to visualize the steps and decision points in a process.
• Develop a Hypothesis or Preliminary Idea of What You’re Investigating Before You Start CollectingDevelop a hypothesis or preliminary idea of what you’re investigating before you start collecting facts. Know what you’re looking for and how you’ll interpret it.
• Think About What You Want to Avoid and Use That to Guide Your DecisionsThink about what you want to avoid and use that to guide your decisions.
• Treat Mistakes as Opportunities to Learn and GrowTreat mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.
• Identify Recurring Themes or Behaviors in Your LifeIdentify recurring themes or behaviors in your life.
• Create a Logical Sequence of Events or Thoughts to See How They Are ConnectedCreate a logical sequence of events or thoughts to see how they are connected.
• Learn to Recognize Brief, Involuntary Facial Expressions That Reveal True EmotionsLearn to recognize brief, involuntary facial expressions that reveal true emotions.
• Observe How Experts in Different Fields Notice and Interpret DetailsObserve how experts in different fields notice and interpret details.
• Always Have a Backup PlanAlways have a backup plan.
• Use Elimination Rules to Narrow a DecisionDefine a few decision constraints, eliminate options that clearly fail them, then compare the smaller remaining set without pretending arbitrary thresholds are universal rules.
• Pay Attention to Non-Verbal Cues in Conversations to Gain Deeper UnderstandingPay attention to non-verbal cues in conversations to gain deeper understanding.
• Recreate Past Events in Your Mind to Understand What Happened and WhyRecreate past events in your mind to understand what happened and why.
• Set Aside Time for Brainstorming and Thinking CreativelySet aside time for brainstorming and thinking creatively.
• Collect Information and Data About Yourself to Make Informed DecisionsCollect information and data about yourself to make informed decisions.
• Look at a Situation from All Angles, Consider All Evidence, and Eliminate the ImpossibleLook at a situation from all angles, consider all evidence, and eliminate the impossible.
• Look for Connections Between Different Aspects of Your LifeLook for connections between different aspects of your life.
• Focus on the Smallest Details That Might Seem Insignificant but Could Be of GreatFocus on the smallest details that might seem insignificant but could be of great importance.
• Test Your Theories Against the EvidenceTest your theories against the evidence. If your theory disagrees with the facts, then it's wrong.
• Cross-Check Information from Multiple Sources to Verify Its AccuracyCross-check information from multiple sources to verify its accuracy.
• Verify the Credibility of Your SourcesVerify the credibility of your sources.
• Create a Matrix to Evaluate and Compare Different Options Based on Specific CriteriaCreate a matrix to evaluate and compare different options based on specific criteria.