Transcript David Casti - PBworks Summer Camp

Sharpening Your Saw
Effective Problem Solving
Workshop Overview
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Introductions
Problem Solving Process
Role of Creativity
Help Getting Un-Stuck
For Further Study
This workshop is all about how to work smarter, not harder
David Casti
• Entrepreneur and executive with experience
ranging from small companies to public
multinationals
• Founder and CEO of Neosynapse, Inc.
• Coach for selected government agencies
• CHS graduate
Relevance
• A “problem” is the gap between what is and
whatever you desire.
• Effective problem solving is the ability to
close that gap by expending the minimum
resources.
This presentation is relevant to anyone who wants anything.
Problem Solving is an Art Form
Problem solving is: the process of
combining problems with knowledge
through your creativity.
The Problem Solving Process
1. Define the Problem
2. Develop Candidate Solutions
3. Select and Implement Solution
All problems are solved with this process,
and each step requires creativity.
The Problem with Problems:
FEAR
Fear is the #1 destroyer of creativity
The Typical Approach
Time
Stage
1%
Define the problem
3%
Develop candidate solutions
96% Implement solution
How You Feel
Threatened
Unsure
Relieved
Rushing through the first two steps makes the third step a lot harder.
A Conversation About Creativity
By far, the most powerful tool at your disposal
The Power of
Problem Definition
The definition controls how you think about solving the problem
The Importance of
Many Candidate Solutions
One right idea will close the gap between you and whatever you want
The Creative Approach
Time
20%
Stage
How You Feel
Define the problem
Curious
30% Develop candidate solutions
Creative
50% Implement solution
Vigilant
Effectiveness is focus on doing the right things
Brain Freeze
• Common causes:
– Fear / Pressure / Stress
– Having to “be right”
– Excessive focus
• Ways of thawing out:
– Take a break
– Use a creativity exercise
Called “writer’s block”... but a deadly affliction
for everyone with problems
Creativity Jump-Starts
Brain Storming / Brain Writing
– Never stop before 20 ideas
The Star
– Jump start your mind
Mind Mapping
– Visualize the way you actually think works
Restatement
– Expose the hidden assumptions
With creativity, it is quantity not quality that counts!
The Star
Africa
fur
carnivore
danger
cub
golden
roar
cowardly
strong
Disney
hungry
pack
How many associations can you find in 60 seconds?
The Association Game
“Snow to Teamwork”
snow reminds
me of school...
sports require
teamwork
school makes me
think of sports...
There are uncountably many routes between any two ideas
What is Mind Mapping?
• Activates both the left
and right sides of the
brain.
• Visualize how you
actually think about
things.
Mind mapping is a written form of the association game
Restatement
• Transform your current problem statement several
times
• Explain the problem to someone who doesn’t
know anything about it
Repeatedly picking new words to describe the same idea
will expose hidden assumptions
Quick Tips
• Don’t Stay Stupid
– You do not owe loyalty to any idea, especially unhelpful ones
• Suspend Judgment
– “Bad” ideas lead to good ones
• Don’t Trust Experts
– Problem solving requires common sense, not special knowledge
• Pursue Good Enough
– Estimate, prototype and iterate
• Don’t Work Too Hard
– Hard work often points to a lack of creativity
Five helpful points to remember when solving problems
For Further Study
• New Think; Edward DeBono
• Your Mind, The Magician; Allen Rosenthal
• The Einstein Factor; Win Wagner
A few books on creative problem solving