Systematic creative problem solving revisited

                        By Bayo Ogunmupe

    Certain qualities of highly intelligent people have been observed throughout the ages. One of these is that they approach every problem systematically and logically. This powerful method is aimed at keeping emotions out of problem solving. This forces you to take an objective view of the problem, forcing you to work it through step-by-step. There are many steps to this method of problem solving.

    The first step is for you to always assume a logical solution to any difficulty or goal. Your attitude toward a problem determines whether you release your creativity or keep it locked up. Approach every problem as though there were a logical and practical solution just waiting to be found. Your goal as a champion is to be calm and unemotional as much as possible throughout the creative thinking process.

    Step two is for you to use positive language to describe the difficulty. Use the word situation to describe the problem. Whereas a problem conjures up a negative condition that agitates the emotion, a situation is neutral which enables you to deal with the difficulty in a calm and objective manner. Even better is the word 'challenge' rather than problem. A challenge is something you rise to, whereas a problem is an obstacle that causes stress or frustration. The best word of all is 'opportunity'. 

    When you define each situation as a challenge or opportunity, you begin to see possibilities that may have been blocked or obscured up till now. Your third step is to define the situation clearly. Accurate diagnosis is half the cure. Often, a problem well defined; either as a challenge or opportunity can be quickly solved once it becomes clear to everyone. A clear diagnosis might show the causative factor was a unique event that happens once and does not require a systematic change. In another case, the problem might be a systemic case that requires a total change in the way the business is run in that area.

    Step four asks: What are all the possible solutions? This enables you to proffer many solutions, including doing nothing; before you move to the decision making phase of the process. Step five is for you to make the decision. Taking the previous steps, the ideal decision will emerge logically, as the cream rises to the top of the milk. If you need more information to take a decision, set a deadline for your decision.

    Never allow a situation hang in the air with no resolution. After setting a deadline, assigning responsibility to yourself or another person, you finally take action. Implement the solution right away. Action is everything; the faster you take action, the faster you get constructive feedback that enables you to change course and take more effective actions. From my observation as an economic consultant, without exception, I have noticed that high level executives and political leaders go calm when dealing with challenges which cause others to become upset and angry.

    By keeping yourself calm and following the steps outlined in this column, you will be amazed at the quality of the solutions you come up with and the excellence of your decision making ability. However, in your problem solving, you must observe this golden rule of business, the reality principle. This is the ability to see the world as it really is, not the way you wish it would be. This is the ability to be perfectly honest with yourself in any situation, no matter how much ego you have invested in being right.

    What the first employee billionaire, chairman and chief executive of the US General Electric Company, Jack Welch would ask in a problem solving meeting was: What's the reality of the situation? This should be your question as well. The billionaire who built the sports marketing company in the world and the author of the best selling: What They Don't Teach You at Harvard Business School, Mark McCormack, said that there were three statements executives had to learn to use if they wanted to succeed in life. They are, "I was wrong." The second is: "I made a mistake." And finally, "I changed my mind." To change your mind isn't a sign of weakness. It is a mark of courage, character and competence. You changed your mind after realizing that the situation has changed  and that you must change your thinking if you are to survive and thrive.