
Don’t Start Problem Solving on Auto-Pilot
Are you starting your problem solving on auto-pilot? Do you need some kind of trigger to drive systemic, rigorous problem solving? Most people do, and it’s a missed opportunity. I came across this quote from Marvin Minksy, co-founder of MIT’s AI lab: The way people solve problems is first by
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To Problem Solve or Not Problem Solve
To problem solve, or not to problem solve. That is a question that we all face when something goes wrong. This graphic was included in my book, People Solve Problems, as I tried to help illuminate this choice. The choice itself can lead to some challenges. First, some
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What’s the Best Interview Question?
What’s the best interview question you’ve ever received or given? Your list of bad interview questions is likely much longer than your list of great interview questions. I’ve heard some amazing horror stories about interviews derailed by terrible questions! But still, there seems to be more advice available about responding
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Your Problem Solving is as Unique as Your Fingerprint
People approach solving problems differently, even if they’re using the same tools and methods. It’s one of the reasons for the name of my book, and one of the reasons I’m talking to people on the People Solve Problems podcast. Because problem solving is a collection of applied skills that
Read MoreThe Hidden Use of AI: Why Transparency Matters
As AI continues to gain momentum within companies, it’s important to distinguish between two main categories of AI usage: stationed, strategic projects, and the personal, often hidden, use of AI by individuals in their workflows. One challenge in the latter category is that people are hiding the fact that they
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Adopting a Tool-Agnostic Approach to Problem Solving (venturemag.com)
When someone utters the phrase “problem solving”, what is the first image that comes to mind? For most people, those words immediately take you into problem solving tools and templates. This is because many of us have gone through training program after training program to learn various tools. For myself,
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First Principles for Problem Solving
When I wrote my first draft of People Solve Problems, I was very clear that the tools were not where the magic was but I still referred to my favorite tools and methods a bit too often. After a structural edit and some great feedback, I committed further to write
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How Is Problem Solving Like Breathing?
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
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Is Problem Solving a Technical Skill?
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
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Why ‘The Boss Said’ Is Not A Reason
Sharing my fourth article for Forbes: Why ‘The Boss Said’ Is Not A Reason So many action-initiating conversations lead in with some version of “the boss said,” as if that’s a good reason to complete any task. Of course, it is one reason, but it’s a reason filled with waste
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