Improving Problem Solving Skills
Identifying which phases of problem-solving you handle well can help you practise weaker skills or work with someone whose strengths complement yours.
THE IDEA
People can be good at generating ideas yet struggle to put them into practice. Others execute well but find it difficult to choose among solutions. Recognizing those differences helps you decide which skills to practise and when to seek a collaborator.
The source refers to four problem-solving steps but does not name them in this passage. The examples illustrate phases of the process rather than supply the missing framework.
When to use it
A project manager uses a structured process to resolve a team conflict by first identifying the root cause, generating solutions, selecting the best one, and implementing it with monitoring.
An entrepreneur applies the steps to improve product-market fit by gathering feedback, brainstorming iterations, deciding on a pivot, and executing the changes.
A teacher uses the steps to design a better lesson plan: assess student difficulties, generate alternative teaching methods, choose the most feasible, implement, and evaluate learning outcomes.
A software developer uses the steps to debug a complex issue: clearly define the bug, hypothesize causes, test fixes, implement the best solution, and verify it works.
FROM THEORY TO EVERYDAY LIFE
In practice
Marketing Team Sales Decline
A marketing team uses a problem-solving process to address a drop in sales. They brainstorm ideas (generation phase) but struggle to decide which solution to implement. They bring in a manager with strong decision-making skills to help choose the best course of action.
Student Study Habits
A student applies the steps to improve grades: identify the problem (low test scores), generate possible study strategies, choose one to try (e.g., active recall), implement it consistently, then evaluate progress after a month.
A MOMENT TO REFLECT
Put it to work.
Which phase of problem-solving do you find most challenging, and why?
How can you pair up with someone whose strengths complement your weaknesses in problem-solving?
Think of a recent problem you solved. Which phases did you handle deliberately, and which received less attention?
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION
Source texts
- Thinking in Systems and Mental Models Think Like a Super Thinker (Dawson, Marcus P)