better results through better thinking ThinkAbout Problem Solving The Business of Thinking ®

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International WHOLE BRAIN ® MODEL LOGICAL ANALYTICAL FACT-BASED QUANTITATIVE ORGANIZED SEQUENTIAL PLANNED DETAILED HOLISTIC INTUITIVE INTEGRATING SYNTHESIZING INTERPERSONAL FEELING-BASED KINESTHETIC EMOTIONAL D UPPER RIGHT A UPPER LEFT LOWER LEFT B LOWER RIGHT C

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International A problem is: “A deviation from the norm, serious enough to require attention” Problem solving is: “closing the gap, bringing 2 things back into alignment” And… There are two types of problems: Fix-it Problems Do-it Problems

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International ‘Fix-it’ problems Something needs fixing Something is wrong Something needs changing Examples We are behind budget Complaints are up 10% Staff turnover is up 8% Someone is arriving late to work ‘Do-it’ problems Focus on the future We need to do something A more positive type of problem More of a challenge Examples We need to hire more people by June We need to improve the way people think We have to reduce costs by 10% Types of Problems

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International Problem Solving: Focused on the past Usually analytical Operational Done at lower levels Closing the gap Decision Making: Focused on the future Often creative Directional Done at senior levels Making a choice Problem Solving versus Decision Making

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International By the end of this session you will be able to:  Define problems as either fix-it or do-it types of problems  Use the Whole Brain Problem Solving Process to solve problems Outcomes

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International D BC A ThinkAbout Problem Solving How do the 4 quadrants like to solve problems? uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International A B D C  Gathers facts  Analyzes issues  Argues rationally  Forms theories  Problem-solves logically  Works with numbers, statistics, data  Sees the big picture  Recognizes new possibilities  Tolerates ambiguity  Integrates concerns and ideas  Problem-solves intuitively  Invents innovative solutions  Maintains standards and consistency  Develops detailed plans & procedures  Approaches problems practically  Organizes & keeps track of data  Reads the fine print  Finds overlooked flaws  Recognizes interpersonal difficulties  Anticipates how others will feel  Intuitively understands others  Understands emotional elements  Picks up new verbal clues ThinkAbout Problem Solving

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International  There are many different ways of solving problems  No one way is necessarily any better than any other  They are all good if used at the right time in the right way  Most people have a preferred way of problem solving  Our challenge is ‘our way’ might not always be the ‘best’ way  Whole Brain Problem Solving gives us the best chance of solving problems permanently

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International Step 1 — Gather the Facts Step 2 — Define the Problem Step 3 — Develop Solutions Step 4 — Implement the Solution

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International A.What are the key facts? Who?What? Why? When?Where? B.Do I have all the details? Is there an important piece I am missing? C.What does my intuition tell me? What do other people feel about it? D.What is the main issue? Am I missing any links? AD BC Step 1 — Gather The Facts

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International A.Based purely on the facts… B.From an organizational point of view… C.From a people perspective… D.From a big picture, holistic view… AD BC Step 2 — Define the Problem

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International A.What tools, techniques and technology can we use? B.What processes, procedures or structures could we use? C.Who else can help us solve this? D.What wild "out-of-the box" ideas can you think of? AD BC Step 3 — Develop Solutions

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International A.What resources do we need? B.What are the action steps? C.Who do we need to involve? D.How will we know when it has been solved? AD BC Step 4 — Implement The Best

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International Individual Fix-it Problem Select a ‘fix-it’ problem you ‘own’ and can solve fairly quickly

02-10 ©2010 Herrmann International Group Problem Solving Do-it Problem