The Reut Institute is unique in the world of academic research institutions and think tanks. The fundamental difference stems from the framing of the central problem facing decision makers and policy designers and from our mission. This difference has many operational implications. I am often asked: how is Reut different from other think tanks or research institutions? This post will answer this question.

Whereas most think tanks operate on the assumption that the central problem facing decision-makers and policy designers is connected to 'knowledge', the Reut Institute operates on the assumption that their central problem is 'relevance' i.e. a to acquire a nuanced understanding of their objectives, the playing field, other players and themselves.

In addition, the mission of the Reut Institute is to sustain significant and substantive impact on the future of Israel and the Jewish world. Following Ron Heifetz, we define 'impact' as adaptation of values, priorities, patterns of conduct or habits in order to seize an opportunity or avoid a threat. The mission of most other think tanks and academic research groups is focused on expanding knowledge.

These fundamental differences have multiple operational implications:

• Through our structure and methodology, we specialize in identifying blind spots. In other words, information that the decision maker doesn't know he doesn't know. It's within these blind spots that strategic surprises can occur. Such examples are the Yom Kippur war, the first Intifada, Rabin's assassination, 9/11, Kodak's failure to identify the revolution of the digital camera or the textile industry which is desperately trying to survive. In these cases, individuals or organizations functioned according to certain assumptions while the reality was changing and didn't manage to close the gap.
  
  The primary challenge of the Reut Institute is to identify issues that are potential 'game changers' for Israel in the sense that they represent potential strategic surprises or opportunities. We do so by identifying explicit and tacit working assumptions and checking their relevance. Most other think tanks focus on a pre-determined set of issues and research them through collection and analysis of information;
  
  Hence, Reut specializes in creating new knowledge on frontier issues, where little or no prior knowledge exists. We work in the area between disciplines to create new knowledge in unexplored territories that can serve as a basis for effective and quick decision-making in uncertain conditions.
  
  
• While most think tanks are populated by prominent experts with extensive knowledge and experience, the Reut team is young (the average age is 30) and masters the process of strategic analysis. They are experts in content. We aim to be experts in process.
  
  We complement organizations such as the Israeli Democracy Institute, as we specialize in asking the questions, while they specialize in researching them. We also commit ourselves to very short reaction times, which are essential for designing and implementing policies in real time.
  
  
• Reut leads through questions while most other think tanks lead through answers. We believe that decision-makers have the knowledge. While most think tanks deal with research and learning, we offer decision-making services.
  
  
• The Reut Institute is not and can not be partisan like most think tanks.

Closing 'relevancy' gaps requires a fundamental change in values and planning and is very difficult. But its part of the challenge that Reut has set for itself.

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Gidi Grinstein is founder and president of the Reut Institute. The views expressed in this blog are his own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Reut Institute.

For additional information regarding BloGidi see his original post: A Link in the Chain.