6 problem solving mindsets for very uncertain times
Knowing how to solve any problem thrown your way is a uniquely valuable skill and great problem solvers are made bit born. Six mutually reinforcing approaches underly success: (1) being ever-curious about every element of a problem; (2) being imperfectionists, with a high tolerance for ambiguity; (3) having a “dragonfly eye” view of the world, to see through multiple lenses; (4) pursuing occurrent behavior and experimenting relentlessly; (5) tapping into the collective intelligence, acknowledging that the smartest people are not in the room; and (6) practicing “show and tell” because storytelling begets action (exhibit).
5 routes to more innovative problem solving
Leaders using simple business frameworks to view complicated problems sometimes fail to see truly novel solutions. The complexity of today’s business environment means that complex, even chaotic, problems are quite prevalent. Tricky problems must be shaped before they can be solved. To start that process, and stimulate novel thinking, this article argues that leaders should look through multiple lenses.