Hi! 👋

In the last newsletter, I introduced you to the 'Thinking Differently' training series. The next few newsletters will zoom in on the individual modules to explore some of the techniques and strategies you can use when collaboratively problem-solving. Today's focus is on the first module: Defining the Problem. 🎯

Why is defining the problem important?

💬 "When a big problem comes along, it’s natural to want to solve it right away... But if you don’t first slow down, share what you know, and prioritize, you could end up wasting time and effort on the wrong part of the problem.” —Jake Knapp, Sprint

Does this urge to jump into solving sound familiar? I'm a problem-solver at my core and it's SO easy for me to want to skip right to solutioning when I first hear about an issue. I want to start fixing things right away! But this quote reminds us of the importance of patience and taking time to really understand the situation so we can come up with the best solutions.

Let's talk through an example using team productivity. A manager notices a decline in productivity and without digging deeper, attributes it to lack of motivation. The manager decides to implement a bonus program to incentivize higher performance. While some employees may respond positively to the bonus program initially, productivity remains inconsistent. The real issue may stem from factors such as unclear expectations, inadequate resources, or poor work-life balance, which the bonus program fails to address. Now, the manager has wasted time and money and hasn't reached the outcomes they were hoping for.

❤️ The heart of human-centered design

Real innovation begins by identifying the right problem to tackle. How do you ensure you aren't just treating symptoms but addressing the root cause? How do you create solutions that will have genuine value and impact?
 

The answer lies in putting your end-users and customers front and center.

Empathy is your superpower here; understanding your users inside-out isn't just good—it's necessary. One tool that you can use here are personas. These detailed profiles bring your users to life, helping to inform your decisions and make sure you're addressing their specific needs and motivations.

Here's a link to a persona template you can use to get started!

Thinking Differently Training Series

In the Defining the Problem module of the Thinking Differently training series, you learn about and practice:
 

💡 Digging below the surface level of your initial problem statements using collaborative techniques.

💡 Identifying pain points and opportunities through human-centric strategies.

💡 Reframing problems into actionable "how might we" statements.

By honing these skills, you're not just solving problems—you're solving the right problems. Because innovation isn't just about great ideas; it's about the right solutions making a meaningful difference.

If you're looking to increase the collaborative problem-solving skills on your team in a way that focuses on action, Thinking Differently could be the right fit for you. Email me directly at caitlin@thinklysolutions.com and we'll find some time to chat!

Until next time, keep thinking differently!

Caitlin

P.S.

📚If you haven't read Sprint, I highly recommend!

📝 Check out this article I co-wrote about how you can use Design Thinking to create meaningful employee recognition programs.

🌘 Who is lucky enough to check out the eclipse today?!

🏀 I've really enjoyed watching the March Madness women's tournament these past few weeks and I'm sad it's over.