# The Superpower of How To See The Invisible | Inder Sethi | TEDxIFHE Hyderabad

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuWBZBZuZ34
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/ZuWBZBZuZ34
Generated: 2025-11-11T21:05:39.258+00:00

---
## Quick Overview

The speaker argues that true insight, or "How to See the Invisible," comes from cultivating Creative Intelligence and actively seeking what is missing or unseen, as demonstrated by historical examples like Leonardo da Vinci's inventions and modern failures like BlackBerry's decline, urging the audience to use tools like the "So What?" Chain and Perspective Shift Practice to uncover deeper truths.

**Key Points:**
- The core message is that greatest insights come from observing what is *not* present, encapsulated by the quote: "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see!"
- The speaker introduced the concept of 'Saper Vedere' ('Knowing How to See') from Leonardo da Vinci, whose 45 inventions (like the helicopter and armored car) demonstrate this ability.
- Failure to see the invisible led to massive failures, exemplified by companies like Nokia, Kodak, and BlackBerry, and the underestimation of Russia's 10-day plan for Ukraine.
- The speaker advocates for using the 'So What?' Chain to drill down from simple observations to fundamental risks, required actions, or critical decisions.
- The 'Sherlock Scan' involves actively looking for absences: the speaker who didn't turn up, the unasked question, or the un-answered survey question.
- A key practice for developing this skill is the 'Perspective Shift Practice': viewing any issue from three viewpoints—your own, someone who disagrees, and a complete outsider.

![Screenshot at 00:09: Speaker uses the example of comic book ads from his youth, which promised fantastic powers like X-Ray Specs, to introduce the idea of phenomena that are seemingly invisible or impossible, setting the stage for discussing perception.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-00-09.png)

**Context:** This TEDx talk by Inder Sethi explores the concept of perception and insight, arguing that true understanding requires looking beyond the obvious to see the 'invisible.' The speaker weaves together personal anecdotes, such as failing entrance exams before succeeding in the military, historical figures like Leonardo da Vinci, and modern business failures (like BlackBerry), to illustrate how focusing only on what is visible or expected leads to missed opportunities and failure.

## Detailed Analysis

The talk centers on the theme of 'How to See the Invisible,' arguing that this ability, termed Creative Intelligence, is the superpower for success. The speaker begins by sharing his early fascination with 'invisible' concepts from comic books. He contrasts his own early academic struggles and repeated failures in the SSB (Service Selection Board) with his eventual success after adopting a Plan B (computer applications), highlighting that fear of failure was a major impediment. He introduces Leonardo da Vinci as a paragon of this skill, listing his numerous visionary inventions across flying machines, war machines, and architecture, noting that Da Vinci saw possibilities others missed. The speaker then discusses the consequences of *not* seeing the invisible using modern examples: the failure of leaders at Nokia, Kodak, and BlackBerry to adapt to new realities, and the miscalculation of Russia's plan in Ukraine. He introduces the concept of being 'Biologically Blind,' explaining that we see with our brains, which are shaped by our experiences and filters (seeing what we want, what we are told to, and ignoring change). To combat this, he presents two practical tools: the 'So What?' Chain, which forces a deep dive into the fundamental risk or required action behind any observation, and the 'Sherlock Scan,' which focuses on the absence of things (what is *not* there) as a clue. He concludes by emphasizing the 'Perspective Shift Practice'—viewing issues from one's own, a dissenter's, and an outsider's viewpoint—to unlock true innovation, concluding that becoming a 'Problem Seer' precedes becoming a 'Problem Solver.'

### Personal Journey & Early Fascination

- Speaker recounts early fascination with science fiction gadgets from comics
- Failed two SSB attempts due to fear of failure
- Switched to Plan B (NIIT Diploma in Computer Applications) in 1988-89 to secure a path
- Eventually cleared SSB on the third attempt.

### The Power of Seeing Invisible

- Cites Leonardo da Vinci (44 inventions listed, including helicopter, armored car, scuba gear) as a master of seeing the unseen
- Contrasts this with modern failures: Nokia, Kodak, BlackBerry, and Russia's underestimation of the Ukraine war's duration.

### Perceptual Filters & Blindness

- Introduces the idea that we are 'Biologically Blind,' seeing not with eyes but with brains shaped by experience
- Lists three filters: seeing what we want, seeing what we are told to, and not seeing change.

### Tools for Insight

- Introduces the 'So What?' Chain to drill down from observation to fundamental risk/action
- Introduces the 'Sherlock Scan' to find insights in absence (e.g., missing questions, speakers who don't show up)
- Advocates for 'Perspective Shift Practice' by viewing issues from three viewpoints (self, dissenter, outsider).

![Screenshot at 00:05: Speaker introduces the talk's theme by referencing childhood fascination with comic book gadgets promising invisible powers.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-00-05.png)
![Screenshot at 00:49: Slide shows a police/military peaked cap, illustrating the speaker's initial career goal and subsequent rejection from the SSB.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-00-49.png)
![Screenshot at 01:35: Slide details the speaker's first two failed SSB attempts, noting the response 'Don't know why!' and 'Not my fault!', contrasted with the third attempt where he cleared.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-01-35.png)
![Screenshot at 02:32: Slide details 'Plan B': pursuing a Diploma in Computer Applications at NIIT in 1989, learning UNIX/COBOL/Dbase III+ to become a typist.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-02-32.png)
![Screenshot at 04:04: Slide displays a stock market graph showing a sharp downturn \(3,012.50, -52.50\) dated Tuesday, March 3, 2020, illustrating global uncertainty like COVID-19.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-04-04.png)
![Screenshot at 08:08: Slide contrasting Putin's 10-day plan for Ukraine invasion versus the reality of '3 years, 6 months!' lost.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-08-08.png)
![Screenshot at 08:22: Slide asks, 'Why are the top leaders not able to SEE?' overlaying logos of failed companies like Nokia, Kodak, Blockbuster, and Hummer.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-08-22.png)
![Screenshot at 08:36: Slide listing 'Perceptual Filters': Seeing what we want, Seeing what we are told to, and Not Seeing Change.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-08-36.png)
![Screenshot at 08:54: Slide shows an abstract blue/white image, prompting the audience to practice seeing what is not obvious, like the crocodile shape.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-08-54.png)
![Screenshot at 10:56: Slide showing Superman using heat vision, illustrating the concept of 'How to Start Seeing the Invisible' using a superpower analogy.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/ZuWBZBZuZ34/00-10-56.png)