Association is the ability to successfully connect seemingly unrelated questions, problems, or ideas from different fields.  The art of connecting has long been recognized as central to innovative thinking.  Serial innovator and late Apple CEO Steve Jobs observed that “Creativity is connecting things.”  Author, TED presenter, and student of great ideas Steven Johnson commented that “Chance favors the connected mind.”  The more adept a leader is at connecting divergent principles and ideas, the greater the likelihood that innovative strategies will emerge.

Some associations worth considering…

How is being a digital nomad like being a teacher without a classroom?