Problem solving skills are critical to every level of workforce — from hourly wage-earner to CEO. Companies love to hire and retain people with good problem solving skills. But even the best problem solvers get stuck sometimes.
Problem solving skills need a refresh?
You’ve been there. You have a specific, measurable problem, maybe with a specific measurable goal — and you’re just not getting anywhere. And no matter how many internet searches, conversations with your teams, looking at what the competition does or even chats at home with your spouse, you can’t find an innovative solution for your business problem to save your life. You feel as if your problem solving skills have taken a permanent sabbatical.
Try this: take a different route to work. There’s actual data that proves it’s an effective tool for helping you to think differently and embrace doing things you might not normally do. And that is one of the keys to problem solving — being wiling to look at options you’ve not previously imagined. And there’s a reason we don’t do that…
We’re lazy.
A study from the University of London, published in 2017, showed that humans will inevitably take the path of least resistance. It’s comfortable, it’s familiar. And we inherently decide that the path of least resistance is better. Extrapolating the data from the publisher of the study, eLife crafted the analogy of an apple orchard. If you walk into the apple orchard, you immediately make some assessments about which apples are the best apples — the ones with the size, color and shape that most appeal to you. But you will also add to that equation whether the apple is reachable. Literally low-hanging fruit will seem riper and more flavorful to your brain.
So when you’re stuck in problem solving mode and nothing is coming to you, it’s that assessment by your brain that the easiest path is the right one that may be hanging you up.
So — to get your brain off that path and thinking of new routes to problem solving, taking a literally different route to work can help. And put some parameters on it. For example, take a route that eliminates all but two left turns. Or eliminate highways (which will reduce your stress levels too!). Or only take two-lane roads.
And while you drive, observe. Look at new construction to see what colors are popular or what architectural elements are all the rage in commercial plazas. Notice street names on side streets. See how many businesses targeted at women, men, children you can count. See how many buildings built in a 10-year range you can count and observe how do you know they are from that era.
You never know what might spark the creative process, help you have a new view of your problem and give you the problem solving skills to find the best, most innovative solution.
Choose Big O workshops for better problem solving
At Big O Creative Services, we are all about providing new routes to problem solving for business. Our workshops develop stronger leaders, revive stagnant products, revive stagnant teams, improve communications between disparate departments and more.
And we don’t just fix the bad. We elevate the good with our creative skills development workshops — making strong teams stronger and more innovative, building new leaders from experienced workers, taking customer service to the next level, elevating brand perception and more.
Contact us today to plan your route to a thriving business environment.