Everyone is so busy trying to keep up, but how do you get out ahead? How do you ‘future-proof’ your career?

Some skills, capabilities, and perspectives are timeless. You don’t have to be a futurist or a fortune teller to be prepared for the future. Here are 16 perspectives, including one from me, about how to do this.

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In a recent episode of the People Solve Problems podcast, Jamie Flinchbaugh sits down with Sarah Tilkens, Senior Manager of OpEx for GE Healthcare as well as the CEO & Founder of The KPI Lab, to discuss the art and science of problem-solving within organizations. Sarah shares her journey from an early interest in Six Sigma to founding The KPI Lab, focusing on how to tackle complex problems that professionals face in today’s business environment. She emphasizes the importance of a clear understanding of problems, advocating for a methodical approach to problem identification that prioritizes empathy and deep listening.

Sarah’s insights into her role as an coach with GE and The KPI Lab reveal her approach: she sees KPIs as not just as metrics but as narratives that guide and motivate teams towards continuous improvement and innovation. Her discussion with Jamie explores how effective problem-solving involves blending analytical rigor with a profound understanding of human behavior and team dynamics.

Throughout the episode, Sarah provides practical examples of how asking the right questions, fostering a culture of curiosity, and adopting a learner’s mindset can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. She stresses the significance of leadership in cultivating an environment where teams are empowered to experiment, learn from failures, and innovate.

This conversation offers listeners an opportunity to learn about the nuances of operational excellence, the subtleties of managing team dynamics, and the critical role of leadership in fostering a problem-solving culture. For those eager to learn more about Sarah’s work or to connect with her, information is available on The KPI Lab’s website (www.thekpilab.com) and her LinkedIn profile 

This episode is essential for anyone looking to enhance their problem-solving skills, drive operational efficiency, and inspire a culture of innovation within their organization.

We should all speed up our decision-making in this faster-moving world, right? Well, only partially right. In this video, we’ll explain how our decision-making should be really split into faster decisions and deliberately slower decisions. I’ll share why, and also the core methods you might consider to help.

I’ve been more aware that people are often very unaware of their day-to-day problem solving, all of that problem solving that happens when we are NOT using a structured approach or tool. Of course, problem-solving is a human capability, but we can learn how to do it so much better. What’s interesting is something that is even more natural, breathing, has some of the same qualities. We are born breathing, and it is easy to take it for granted. But when someone actually trains us how to breathe better, it’s incredible how much better we can become. But that doesn’t translate back to those everyday moments without adding some intentional effort. I tie those examples together in this video.

In this People Solve Problems podcast episode, Jamie Flinchbaugh engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Durward Sobek, Vice Provost at Montana State University-Bozeman. They go into the challenges and nuances of solving ill-defined and open-ended problems, particularly in the realm of product development. Durward brings his extensive experience to the table, discussing the importance of truly understanding the needs and experiences of users to drive innovation and create effective solutions.

Durward emphasizes the significance of approaching problem-solving with a wide lens, encouraging listeners to embrace the complexity and ambiguity of real-world issues. He shares insights into the ideation process, underscoring the value of generating a diverse range of ideas to uncover novel solutions. This approach, he argues, is key to moving beyond traditional, linear problem-solving methods, allowing for a more dynamic and flexible response to the challenges faced in product development and beyond.

Throughout the episode, Durward highlights the critical role of empathy in understanding user needs. By actively listening and observing, innovators can gain a deeper insight into the problems they are trying to solve, leading to more impactful and user-centered solutions. He stresses the importance of looking at problems from multiple perspectives to find unique and effective answers that might not be immediately apparent.

The conversation also touches on the value of collaboration and diversity of thought in the problem-solving process. Durward points out that bringing together individuals with different backgrounds and areas of expertise can significantly enhance the creative process, leading to richer, more comprehensive solutions.

Durward’s discussion with Jamie is not just about techniques and strategies for problem-solving; it also covers the mindset and cultural shifts necessary to tackle complex challenges effectively. They explore the need for organizations and individuals to be adaptable, willing to experiment, and open to learning from failure. This, Durward suggests, is essential for fostering an environment where innovation can thrive, and real progress can be made in addressing the multifaceted problems of today’s world.

Listeners interested in the intersection of innovation, problem-solving, and product development will find invaluable insights in this episode. Durward’s expertise and perspectives shed light on how to approach ill-defined problems with a fresh, creative mindset, offering practical advice for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact through their work.

For more on Durward’s work and insights into problem-solving and innovation, you can visit Montana State University-Bozeman’s website or at the Mechanical & Industrial Engineering Department page or connect with him directly through his LinkedIn profile

This episode is a must-listen for those passionate about driving change and creating solutions that genuinely meet user needs, highlighting the power of problem solving, creativity, and collaboration in tackling some of today’s most challenging problems.

The Happy Heuristics podcast was a project by Jamie Flinchbaugh and Jeff Grimshaw to explore the power of heuristics for better decision-making. The goal was to help cultivate shock-resistant leader routines and rules of thumb for a complex world. Season 1 was recorded and released in 2021 and 2022. There were plans for a Season 2 but those plans have been shelved, with one episode already “on the shelf.” This episode is meant to help explain heuristics, how and why they work, and how to think about and utilize them. We are releasing it now as a final installment of the Happy Heuristics series.

What early experience taught you an interesting lesson? These are always fun stories, usually share when acting as a mentor, or perhaps over a drink. Here’s an example from my history, and how this little part taught me some valuable lessons. Those lessons may have helped shape my thinking.

Is problem-solving a technical skill?

I’ve heard many people say things like “I’m an engineer, so already a good problem solver” or “I’m a doctor, what we do is solve problems.” To be certain, I’ve said that about myself. It’s just not an accurate statement. Engineers (to pick on my own kind) are not inherently better problem solvers than non-engineers. Problem-solving is a human capability. Our background, inclusion our professional education, will give us domain expertise, and will shape our problem-solving perspective, but it’s not enough to make us inherently good at solving all problems. Listen to this video for more on this viewpoint.

I’m pleased to share the newly released JFlinch Learning Lab, which offers the video content I’ve provided to my clients in a private offering over the past many years. This subscription at $79 per year includes around 100 videos not available elsewhere across courses which include management systems, culture change, strategic thinking, process design, as well as content built on both my books, People Solve Problems and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Lean. Along with that, we also include numerous white papers and access to other content drawn from others sources for hours and hours of total learning opportunities.

Find the JFlinch Learning Lab here

In this episode of the People Solve Problems podcast,  host Jamie Flinchbaugh engages in a deep and insightful conversation with Andrea Jones, the founder of AJC. Andrea shares her extensive knowledge and experiences in project management and change implementation, particularly in mid-market companies. She introduces her unique framework, Executeagility, which stems from both her personal experiences and her professional expertise.

The episode begins with Andrea discussing the challenges she faced in her early career, particularly the lack of clear expectations and frameworks in project management. She vividly recounts a pivotal moment in her career where the absence of a structured approach led to significant challenges. This experience was a key driver in her development of the Executeagility framework, designed to provide clarity and structure in project management.

Andrea emphasizes the importance of prioritizing work in a manner that’s impactful to the business. She outlines her framework’s approach to prioritization, which includes listing all opportunities and considering criteria that are impactful to the business today. The process involves scoring these opportunities against impactful criteria and reassessing them regularly. This method not only aids in efficient prioritization but also ensures that the most important tasks are addressed promptly.

A significant aspect of Andrea’s discussion revolves around the implementation of Agile methodologies in project management. She adapts traditional Agile practices to fit the realities of mid-market companies, where resources are often limited. Her version of Agile includes running sprints with cross-functional teams who are not fully dedicated to a single project. This approach acknowledges the constraints of mid-market companies while still benefiting from the agility and responsiveness of Agile methodologies.

Andrea also highlights the importance of structured frameworks in enhancing employee satisfaction and overall business success. She believes that providing clear expectations and structured methodologies not only leads to improved project outcomes but also contributes to a happier, more productive work environment.

The conversation also touches on the importance of leadership and stakeholder engagement in successful project management. Andrea underscores the need for leaders to actively participate in the process and set clear expectations. This involvement is crucial for the successful implementation of any project management framework.

The episode closes with Andrea offering insights into how leaders can foster a productive and happy work environment through disciplined project management practices. Her perspectives provide valuable takeaways for leaders and professionals in the field of project management.

For further insights and to connect with Andrea Jones, listeners can visit her LinkedIn profile and explore AJC’s website for more information on their services.