In today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world, thinking outside the box is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. At SXSW Sydney yesterday, Rohit Bhargava, the founder of The Non-Obvious Company and a bestselling author, explored the power of non-obvious thinking, revealing how anyone can unlock the potential to see the world differently and stay ahead of emerging trends.
His message was simple but profound: the ability to anticipate the future and drive innovation comes not from following obvious paths but by challenging assumptions and looking deeper.
Bhargava shared his journey from aspiring playwright to trend curator, drawing on a pivotal experience that shaped his understanding of human behaviour. He recalled a time when he was much younger and had gone to his father confessing he wanted to be a playwright only to be put into engineering camp instead. He told the audience how he was excluded almost instantly from his group upon the realisation that he had nothing of value to contribute to the engineering space but eventually went on to win an award at the conclusion of the camp for bringing people together. “The people who understand people, always win,” Bhargava remarked, recalling how this experience make him realise that real power lies in seeing what others don’t, and in creating human connections others overlook.
At the core of Bhargava’s message is that non-obvious thinkers find success by not accepting things at face value. “The challenge is that we’re unable to imagine something different, to think bigger, to be open-minded,” he explained. He emphasised that in a world where people are bombarded by noise and distractions, it’s essential to step back and create space for new ideas. This space is where innovation begins.
At the heart of Rohit Bhargava’s message on non-obvious thinking are four transformative secrets that can help anyone break free from conventional patterns and unlock future possibilities. These secrets serve as practical tools to challenge assumptions and create a mindset that embraces innovation and creativity:
- Create Space for New Ideas: Bhargava emphasised the importance of both mental and physical space in allowing fresh ideas to emerge. In a world constantly buzzing with distractions, it’s easy to get trapped in routines and overwhelmed. “If you don’t have space, if you’re still crowded up with everything that’s going on… it’s really hard to find that way,” Bhargava explained. He urged the audience to create “oasis moments” in their daily lives—intentional pockets of time where they can step away from the noise and let creativity flow. These moments are where breakthroughs often happen
- Try New Rituals: Bhargava challenged the audience to disrupt their usual habits and adopt new rituals as a way to signal to themselves that today is different. “One of the ways we can do this is through what I call ‘oasis moments,’” he explained, referencing the practice of intentionally doing something new to shift perspective. He shared the story of a renowned chef who ate a new fruit every morning for a month, emphasising that small rituals can create powerful shifts in thinking. “It sends a message to yourself that today isn’t going to be like yesterday,” Bhargava said. By introducing even small changes, you open yourself up to new ways of thinking.
- Reimagine Superstitions: Superstitions, whether personal or cultural, often guide behavior without us fully understanding why. Bhargava urged the audience to question these inherited beliefs, using the example of buildings that avoid a 13th floor due to superstition. “If you think about it, the 14th floor is the 13th floor—it just doesn’t say 13 on the button,” Bhargava pointed out. By reimagining these “superstitions,” we can free ourselves from arbitrary limitations and make room for more rational and innovative approaches. The point isn’t just to challenge traditions for the sake of it, but to consciously decide which beliefs serve us and which ones hold us back.
- Define a Twist to Win the Future: The final secret Bhargava shared is about finding a “twist”—an unexpected solution that sets you apart. Non-obvious thinkers don’t just see the world as it is; they reimagine what it could be by looking for unconventional solutions. Bhargava cited a clever example of a Dutch electric bike company that solved a shipping issue by drawing a picture of a TV on its packaging. Once delivery workers thought they were handling TVs, the bikes were handled more carefully. “That was the twist, that was the workaround,” he explained. This kind of thinking allows you to solve problems in unexpected ways and stay ahead in a competitive world.
At its core, Bhargava’s approach is about empowering people to break free from rigid thinking patterns and embrace the unexpected. He challenged the audience to question what holds them back from seeing the world differently. “If we know that human connection makes a difference, why don’t we do it?” he asked. The answer, he believes, is that we are often limited by our inability to imagine something beyond the obvious. The power of non-obvious thinking lies in its capacity to transcend these limitations and unlock new possibilities.
In a world filled with uncertainty and constant change, the ability to think non-obviously offers a significant competitive advantage. Bhargava urged everyone to embrace the mindset of a futurist, not by predicting the future but by being open to new ways of seeing the present. “If we can’t reimagine the future, if we can’t create space for non-obvious thinking, we’re going to struggle to solve the challenges that exist in the world… But if we can, I believe we can not only make our own lives better, but we can make the future better”.
In the end, the power of non-obvious thinking is not just about spotting trends—it’s about changing the way we approach the world. By creating space, asking deeper questions, curating insights, and finding unexpected twists, we can break through the noise and make meaningful connections that drive innovation and success.
