What Sort Of Problem Do You Need To Solve?
To solve a problem first ask: is it a tame, critical or wicked problem?
What is the biggest problem that you are facing now?
How would you define that problem? Maybe you have not even thought to define it, you are simply getting on with trying to solve it. But, research shows, that it is important we understand the nature of the challenge in order to bring the right solutions to bear.
As John Dewey put it:
“A problem well-defined is a problem half solved.”
Let me share some wisdom that has really helped me in problem solving.
You may well have heard people talk about ‘wicked’ problems. This phrase comes from a useful classification of types of problems based on work by Keith Grint. He identified that there are three different types of problems: tame, critical, and wicked.
If you can work out the sort of problem you are dealing with, you can then apply the right leadership style or management approach to solve the problem. Having led teams in various contexts — in large institutions, in fast-moving crisis situations, and in small start-ups — I have found this model very helpful for steering my approach to problem-solving.
