The 3-D Nature of Real World Problems (ePub)

Old-fashioned problem solving in the workplace can make you crazy - more so today than ever before. That's because real-world problems are maddeningly 3-Dimensional, while too many organizations are attacking these challenges with traditional 2-Dimensional tools that look at the surface, without effectively probing what is going on beneath the obvious.We began work in this arena as employees of a large global organization, and continued our efforts as consultants to these same kinds of firms. One of our most important conclusions is that colour blindness and dimension impairment around problem solving aren't genetically programmed in people. Instead these traits most often result from immersion in organizational cultures, where they are handed down in statements such as the following:"It's common sense; anyone can see what's going on!" (We call this 'Sherlock Holmes miraculously solved the crime.')"We've always done it like that around here." (Here, a seasoned veteran bravely fights the last war.)"I'm a can-do person; fixing problems is my special gift. (We call this 'The Lone Ranger Rides Again.')"We're in the repair department; this is what we do." (Here we see a whole posse of Lone Rangers riding again as part of a formally established, and probably quite expensive, department of problem fixers.)"Because I'm your boss and I said so!" (This is where Attila the Hun rides again.)