Reframing Problems
Complex problem-solving requires both multidimensional intelligence and emotional excellence.
Problem-solving involves systematically searching through possible actions to reach a predefined goal. It includes both divergent thinking (generating diverse solutions) and convergent thinking (narrowing down to the best solution). To reframe complex issues and solve them with logical processes, it's important to understand the different facets of thinking and reasoning. Thinking can be divided into problem-solving and reasoning, with other types including judgment and decision-making.
Problem identification: It's always important to trace the root causes of issues, rather than just the symptoms on the surface.
Resource allocation: Organizations have limited resources; it's always important to align resources effectively to improve business efficiency.
Strategy construction: After identifying the real issue, then, organizations can develop a good strategy that helps to solve them smoothly and build differentiated business capability.
Monitoring performance: You can only manage what you measure. What is important is setting agreed-upon goals and objectives, establishing key indicators, and improving performance management effectiveness.
Evaluation: Problem-solving is cyclical, where the solution to one problem leads to another. Obstacles such as mental sets, functional fixedness, stereotypes, and negative transfer can hinder effective thinking.
Reasoning: Reasoning involves drawing inferences or conclusions from premises using logical rules. It’s always important to leverage different types of reasoning: deductive and inductive reasoning for analyzes arguments and draws conclusions from their premises.
Cognitive Biases: Cognitive biases are systematic errors in reasoning due to subjective perception, affecting how people understand reality. These biases can be unconscious and influence decisions. Examples include confirmation bias, anchoring, the halo effect, hindsight bias, and overgeneralization. Recognizing and addressing these biases is crucial for rational decision-making.
Logical Fallacies: Logical fallacies are errors in the reasoning of an argument, distinct from cognitive biases that stem from perception.
Problem-solving is about seeing a problem and actually discovering a real solution to that problem, not just the band-aid approach to fixing the symptom. Complex problem-solving requires both multidimensional intelligence and emotional excellence. It is also critical to leverage lessons learned, put the right people with the right talent to solve well-defined problems at the right time for generating great value.
