Dealing with Complexity
Posted on27 Nov 2014
Tagscomplexity, efficiencies, employees, Harvard Business Review, problem solving, quality, VUCA, Nathan Bennett, G. James Lemoine
Comments3
When dealing with complexity, simplifying it to the point of unrealism so it’s easier to understand becomes a major danger. As the... Read More
Finding Right Problem to Solve
Posted on17 Nov 2014
Tagsdecisions, details, Harvard Business Review, problem solving, statistics, Glass-Sand-Water Analogy, emotional triggers, Dwayne Spradlin
Comments11
Solving problems is like painting. Prepping is ninety percent. That means ensuring we’re solving the right problem. It’s a common problem. As... Read More
Authority Figures as Dangerous Figures
Posted on20 Oct 2014
TagsKristi Erdal, expertise, predictability, training, The Economist, problem solving, placebo, innovation, authority
Comments3
Authority figures help in many ways, providing expertise, guidance, definitiveness and certainty. We’re taught to respect them too. Yet, they can be... Read More
Rise of Self-Censorship
Posted on04 Sep 2014
Tagsconflict, creativity, emotions, innovation, minds, negative, New York Times, people's differences, problem solving, peer-to-peer marketing, homophily, CBS News, muscles, disagreeable
Comments8
Life requires effort. Just as it’s easy to be inactive and not eat right, it’s easy to associate with people who are... Read More
The Small Importance of Big Data
Posted on14 Aug 2014
Comments4
Many small things are critical to big data. Yet, as history shows, revolutionary uses will surprise us. Our imagination lags far behind... Read More
Breaking through Consensus
Consensus retards dynamic solutions. For example, Regina Dugan and Kaigham Gabriel write in “‘Special Forces’ Innovation: How DARPA* Attacks Problems” (Harvard Business... Read More
Question to Avoid When Resolving Problems
Posted on08 May 2014
Tagsorganizational culture, questioning techniques, problem solving, management, innovation, employees, customer service, creativity, conflict management
Comments0
Once upon a time long ago, I was helping a department. Asking my questions as to how things got done, employees tended... Read More
Software Softening Our Brains?
Posted on31 Mar 2014
Tagsbrain, computers, information technology, problem solving, technology, The Atlantic, brain exercising, software, Nicholas Carr, accounting, Intuit's, GPS, smart phones, apps, planes, flying
Comments4
Quick, by hand, calculate: 186 x 3,086 = ? 196,452 ÷ 2,568 = ? Why? For the same reason we exercise. Modern... Read More
Problem-solving Technique, Questioning Details
Posted on09 Jan 2014
Tagsdefinitions, details, open-ended questions, problem solving, process, training, Picture Resolution Analogy, brain exercising, analogy collection
Comments0
Once we detail our problem using the five introductory steps from my prior post or some other method, questioning these details begins.... Read More
Leadership, The Secret (Pt 4): Leadership Riddle
Posted on23 Dec 2013
Tagschange, formal organizational power, informal organizational power, leadership, Performance, Personality, problem solving, relationships, rewards, Leadership - The Secret Series, inspiration, power in personality, leadership riddle, analogy collection, Soup Stock – Problem Solving Analogy
Comments0
Leadership has many definitions. It brings to mind the attempts to define such things as love and beauty. Sometimes, when trying to... Read More
