Friday, November 10, 2017

Flexible Problem-Solving

The business or societal progress is made via a healthy cycle of problem framing and problem-solving continuum.

Fundamentally, every work is to deal with problems big or small both from long-term perspectives or on the daily basis. Problems become more complex in today’s changing dynamic and "VUCA" digital new normal. Problem-solving is a critical skill for both life and the business. There is no magic formula for problem-solving nowadays, individuals or businesses must take their own unique approach, be flexible, be learning agile, and develop their own problem-solving methodologies and practices.


Be flexible to think alternative solutions to either old problems or emergent digital challenges: Though the meaning of the word flexibility, in general, more refers to physical movement capable of being bent, without breaking. Flexibility is a mental process which results in an action that tests a possible solution. Psychologically, being flexible is simply an ability to adapt to changes, an intelligence to explore the new possibility, an alternative way to solve problems; and the resilience to survive or thrive from the failures. A flexible mind loves choices, enjoys making differences; feels comfortable to be unique and innovative, and welcomes the diversity of thoughts as a fountain of creativity. Flexibility means less overly rigid processes, well-known practices, or “right vs. wrong” polarity. And there is no need to look at the issue in a reactive mode as a ‘problem,’ but it would be desirable to look at it proactively. Be flexible to explore alternative ways to solve problems.


A flexible workplace is more open, inclusive, and innovative for coming up with best business solutions all the time: Running the business is fundamentally about solving business problems to win customers and achieve business results. Never assume you know what the problem is. Never think there is a short list of solutions you can pick from. Sometimes there is no "one" answer, there are some or many. There are also many ways to solve problems or reach strategic visions. At the business setting, what is first of all needed is to set the updated business ‘policy,’ and digital principles for effective problem-solving, not finger-pointing, think as a team to leverage collective wisdom via integrating interdisciplinary knowledge, different perspectives, and simply explore different ways to solve problems, and test every assumption. A solution should match a real problem and with that in mind, the one thing change would be to have a phrase at the heart of everything the organization does, to build a solution-driven, flexible and highly effective business.


Breaking down silos, encouraging collaboration and enforcing flexibility are crucial in problem-solving.  It's easy to say you're flexible or playful and have a lot of innovative desire but culturally within the walls of an organization, lack of flexible process and risk intelligence to overcome business challenges today. People with a flexible mind can lead more openly and manage more effectively. Digital managers with flexibility have the right mix of skills, they are comfortable with ambiguity and respectful of processes, and they can handle zig-zag ups and downs, bumps and curves in problem-solving skillfully. The culture of flexibility advocated by effective leadership is about bringing out the best in others, to make people feel comfortable with being who they are and taking the necessary risks to solve tough problems. They do not focus on hierarchy but on ideas, creativity, flexibility, openness, and curiosity. Healthy process for problem-solving goes between flexibility and hard process, with the ultimate goal for effective problem-solving. Urgency serves as a driving force to address a specific problem or turn an idea into results. With a sense of urgency, innovation will truly enforce communication and overcome business challenges.


Problem-solving is both art and science. A digital paradigm is an emerging business ecosystem of principles, policies, and practices that set the rules and offer the guidance for problem-solving. The business or societal progress is made via a healthy cycle of problem framing and problem-solving continuum. “To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks the real advance in science."   — Albert Einstein

1 comments:

your writing makes it looks like a calm problem to solve, I like that

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