There’s Always More Than 1 Solution To A Problem
Talk With The Video
Summary
- I was dealing with a problem where my team had this high table and a short chair, which made me look small. They considered cutting the table legs but thought about building a platform for the chair instead. I suggested buying a new chair.
- This situation is a good example of conversion versus divergent thinking. Conversion thinking is about finding one correct answer, like in math where 1 plus 1 equals 2.
- Divergent thinking, on the other hand, opens up multiple solutions to a single problem. In business, it's critical to use divergent thinking because there isn’t always just one right answer.
- We're often taught in school that there’s only one solution to a problem, but real-life situations require creative thinking to find multifaceted solutions.
- The best solution in any scenario is the one that costs the least and provides the highest benefit. Always aim for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in your decisions.
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How To Take Action
I would suggest implementing divergent thinking in your everyday problem-solving by first pausing to brainstorm multiple solutions. This means not just jumping to the first answer that seems right. For instance, like with the chair and table situation I faced, you could quickly see that adapting or buying something new could be alternatives.
A good way of doing this is to take a piece of paper and list all possible solutions when you're faced with a problem. Then, rank them based on cost and benefit. This helps you to see clearly which options might give the most bang for your buck.
Another strategy is to practice creative exercises regularly to boost your divergent thinking skills. This could be as simple as setting aside five minutes each day to think about a problem and come up with as many different solutions as you can, no matter how outlandish they seem.
Also, make it a habit to question assumptions. Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean there isn’t a better way. This approach will keep you open-minded and innovative.
Finally, share this thinking process with your team or peers. By encouraging them to also think divergently, you build a culture where creative ideas flourish, leading to more efficient problem-solving and decision-making. This doesn't cost much but can increase the value of solutions dramatically.
