1、Using Problem Solving Skills To Get A Job.,Changing Your Mindset and Thinking Differently.,Unemployed Professional Group Portland, Maine September 15, 2009,Purpose,Provide an overview of a number of methods for solving problems. Create an understanding on how to use these methods during the job hunt
2、ing process, when you are back to work, and for personal growth. Get you to think about thinking differently.,Agenda,Thought Processes Critical versus Creative Thinking System and Statistical Thinking Problem Solving Thinking Differently Intuition The Human Connection,Open Your Mind To New Ideas,Int
3、ellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them. - Albert Einstein,I dont want to make the wrong mistake. - Yogi Berra,Portraits of A Problem Solver?,Overview,Like it or not, we are judged by how we think. In school, tests generally give credit for problem-solving which produces the “right“ answer,
4、 but under-estimates creativity and unconventional approaches to problems.,Action,Data,Vision,Analysis,Questions,Problem,Critical (Convergent) Versus Creative (Divergent) Thinking,Critical Thinking,Structured, systematic processes are used to focus a persons thinking skills in a particular situation
5、, problem, decision or opportunity. Employs not only logic, but broad intellectual criteria such as clarity, credibility, accuracy, precision, relevance, depth, breadth, significance. Thinking is often casual or routine, whereas critical thinking deliberately evaluates the quality of thinking. Highl
6、y analytical and critical.,Convergent Thinking,Follows a particular set of logical steps to arrive at one “correct“ solution. Involves combining or joining different ideas together based on elements these ideas have in common. Putting the different pieces of a topic back together in some organized,
7、structured and understandable fashion. Convergent thinking, then, is an essential part of the outlining and organizing process. Does not connote Criticism.,Creative (Divergent) Thinking,Thought process or method used to generate creative ideas by exploring many possible solutions. Involves breaking
8、a topic down into its various component parts in order to gain insight about the various aspects of the topic. Typically occurs in a spontaneous, free-flowing manner, such that many ideas are generated in a random, unorganized fashion. Many possible solutions are explored in a short amount of time,
9、and unexpected connections are drawn. Following divergent thinking, ideas and information are organized and structured using convergent thinking.,Something To Think About: Being A Creative Person,Psychologists have found that a high IQ alone does not guarantee creativity. Instead, personality traits
10、 that promote divergent thinking are more important. Divergent thinking is found among people with personalities, which have traits such as nonconformity, curiosity, willingness to take risks, and persistence.,Creative Thinking Tools,Creating lists of questions Setting aside time for thinking and me
11、ditation Brainstorming Keeping a journal Creating artwork Free writing. In free writing, a person will focus on one particular topic and write non-stop about it for a short period of time, in a stream of consciousness fashion.,Quick Tips to Thinking Creatively,Little Details Matter: Pay attention to
12、 words like may, can, and will. Never accept anything at face value. Question the Authorities: Ask probing questions. What qualifies the individual to give advice? What credentials does the person have to make claims? Why is he or she an authority on the subject? Sweeping Away Statements: Knock down
13、 sentences that use words like all and everyone. Not all people do, and not everyone knows. More careful wording such as most and some pass muster more easily.,Quick Tips to Thinking Creatively,Watch Out For Fallacies: Fallacies are the tricky smoke and mirrors that divert attention from true critic
14、al thinking; all built to deflect, detract, divert and discredit arguments without really doing so. Let Down Your Guard: Eliminate bias. Your values, emotions, desires and experiences influence your beliefs and your ability to have an open mind. Set them aside and take the time to ponder information
15、 you receive wholeheartedly. Think of creativity as a muscle: The more you use it, the stronger it gets. To increase your creativity, you simply need to “act” like a creative person. Not surprisingly, people recognized as creative tend to share common traits.,System & Statistical Thinking,System Thi
16、nking,Mind set for understanding how things work. All work occurs in a system of interconnected processes. Systems thinking provides a discipline and tools to encourage the seeing of “interrelationships rather than things, for seeing patterns of change rather than static snapshots.,When To Use Syste
17、ms Thinking,Systems thinking is an approach that requires a substantial investment of effort. The following are some of the signs that indicate a systems thinking approach is most likely warranted.There are multiple perspectives on just what the situation is, and how to deal with it. A previously ap
18、plied fix seems to overshoot the goal. A previously applied fix has created problems elsewhere. Over time there is a tendency to settle for less. After a fix is applied the problem returns in time .,When To Use Systems Thinking (continued),The same fix is used repeatedly. There is a tendency to allo
19、w an established standard to slip. Partners for growth become adversaries. Limitations experienced are believed to result from insufficient capacity. Limited resources are shared by others . Growth leads to decline elsewhere.,System Thinking and the Butterfly Effect,Small variations of the initial c
20、ondition of a dynamical system may produce large variations in the long term behavior of the system.,The Butterfly Effect,Refers to the idea that a butterflys wings might create tiny changes in the atmosphere that may ultimately alter the path of a tornado or delay, accelerate or even prevent the oc
21、currence of a tornado in a certain location. The flapping wing represents a small change in the initial condition of the system, which causes a chain of events leading to large-scale alterations of events; or in a science fiction story where a time traveler creates a small change that alters the cou
22、rse of the future.,Statistical Thinking,Statistical Thinking,Statistical thinking provides the means to view processes holistically. Things to understand Variation exists in all processes. Understanding and reducing variation are the keys to success. Types of variation: Common Cause: Occurs naturall
23、y; part of the process and random (noise in the system). Special Cause: Unexpected, but assignable to known factors. Methodologies: Total Quality Management. 6 Sigma / Lean Manufacturing.,Control Charting,Improvement Methods,Statistical Process Control (SPC) Goal is Continuous Improvement Define the
24、 process capability Exams the variability in process characteristics. Is the process capable of producing products which conforms to specifications?Plan, Do, Check Act (PDCA) Establish Objectives Implement New Processes Measure the Results and Compare against expectations Analyze Differences to Dete
25、rmine Cause. Determine where to apply changes that will include improvement.,Improvement Methods (Continued),7 Step Process 1. Define and Identify the Problem 2. Analyze the Problem 3. Identifying Possible Solutions 4. Selecting the Best Solutions 5. Evaluating Solutions 6. Develop an Action Plan 7.
26、 Implement the SolutionDMAIC Define the project goals and deliverables for both internal and external customers Measure the process to determine current performance Analyze and determine the root cause(s) of the defects Improve the process by eliminating defects Control future process performance,Pr
27、oblem Solving,Problem Solving,The problem-solving process comprises many different elements that can be used in varying degrees depending on the problem / opportunity to be solved. Typical elements are: Problem definition (part of understanding the problem) Situation analysis (part of understanding
28、the problem) Idea generation Analysis of ideas Decision making Determining the next steps to be taken to introduce the solution,Problem Solving Tools: Kepner-Tregoe (KT) Analysis,Situation Appraisal Process of ensuring that priority and order are established for multiple concerns associated with a s
29、pecific issue. Example Youre out of work or under employed.Problem Analysis Create Problem Description Identify Possible Causes Determine True Cause Example You cant get a job similar to what you did or want to do. Decision Analysis Create Objectives Develop Alternatives Uncover Adverse Consequences
30、 Example - What is the best alternative for getting a job that will fit your needs? Potential Problem Analysis Evaluate What Could Go Wrong and the Likely Causes Would Be. Develop Prevention & Contingency Plans Example - Determine key risks associated with the alternative.,Kepner-Tregoe Decision Ana
31、lysis,State Decision Whats the Purpose? Classify Objectives Define Musts Mandatory Measurable Realistic Define Wants Weight Score Evaluate Alternatives Assess Adverse Consequences Probability (Low, Medium, High) Seriousness (Low, Medium, High),Kepner-Tregoe Problem Analysis,State Deviation Whats the
32、 Purpose? Specify the Problem What Where When Extent Is Is Not Distinctions Is compared to is not Changes Develop Possible Causes Test for Probable Cause Does not explain Explains under certain conditions Determine Most Probable Cause Verify True Cause,Kepner-Tregoe Potential Problem Analysis,State
33、Action or Plan List steps List Anticipated Potential Problems Probability (Low, Medium, High) Seriousness (Low, Medium, High) List Anticipated Likely Causes for Each Potential Problem Select Preventive Actions To Reduce Preventative Actions Select Contingent Actions to Minimize Effects Identify Trig
34、gers For Contingent Action. Modify Plan Define Steps Define Responsibilities Timing Create Mileposts Assign Resources,Thinking Differently,Think differently leads to new ideas and innovation, cultural changes, upsets the status quo, takes courage, changes mind set, creates personal change and one ac
35、ting differently.,Thinking Differently (Lateral Thinking),Thinking differently is hard work; you must change pre conceived ideas especially when you have been successful using your favorite methods. Courses in lateral thinking try to teach you how to identify and set aside the obstacles in your own
36、head (biases and preconceptions, inability to concentrate or imagine, entrenched ways of thinking, fear, conservatism, ignorance) that prevent you from thinking in truly novel ways. Practice and exercise is needed to reinforce learning.,12 Techniques for Thinking Differently*,* From Dave Pollards bu
37、siness innovation & knowledge management philosophy “ how to save the world” Before you consider them, you might want to ask yourself whether you need them. They are unlikely to make you happier, though they will probably make you more creative, and more understanding. Meditation: Aids with relaxati
38、on, centering, and clarity. Reconnect With Your Senses: Most of what you learn is perceptual rather than conceptual, and you can learn an astonishing amount by just becoming more aware of nature, and of yourself, and of the connection between your senses and the senses of all life on Earth. Reconnec
39、t With Your Intuition: We are taught to distrust it. The perspective you can get when your intuition provides one viewpoint on a situation and your book learning another is remarkable. Its like suddenly seeing stereo when all your life youve only seen with one eye. Instant depth perception.,12 Techn
40、iques for Thinking Differently,Analogies and Metaphors: Analogies and metaphors allow you to re-see something abstract as something concrete, something conceptual as perceptual. analogies and metaphors permit us to think things we probably otherwise couldnt. Conversations and Interviews: A wonderful
41、 enabler for thinking differently is the shared context that comes from conversations and interviews. Several of my most popular articles have been conversations with myself or with other people, because they help people understand my thought process much better than analytical discourse. Like every
42、thing natural, they are inefficient but extremely effective. Interviews work the same way. Face-to-face and recorded conversations and interviews, if they are natural and probing and improvisational, are even better, because you learn more of the participants worldview from the vocal nuances and bod
43、y language.,12 Techniques for Thinking Differently,Synthesis, Distillation and Restatement: When you recapitulate and condense what youve read or heard, you force yourself to use your own words to say what they had to say. You can learn as much from this about their way of thinking, and your own, as
44、 you can from the reading or listening experience itself. Reading diverse and alternative works: internet bias thing Learning a New Language: The vocabulary, the syntax, the way in which it is ordered, the nuances of meaning, all push you to new ways of thinking Reading diverse and alternative works
45、; Internet bias thing Psychoactive and Other Drugs: They work for some people, and have for thousands of years. Nope, dont have any on me.,12 Techniques for Thinking Differently,Learning Something Outside Your Comfort Zone: Do Impulsive and Serendipitous Things: Any activity that wont let you plan o
46、r anticipate, but which instead forces you to perceive and learn quickly and pay attention and react and live in the moment, will get you outside the centre of your own universe and help you see and think differently. Collaboration: Not just coordination or cooperation, true collaboration. When you
47、have produced a truly collective work-product, you have in many ways got inside the heads of your fellow collaborators, and that will change you forever.,The Eternal Question,Control Chart ?,So, What is the Answer?,Using Triggers To Think Differently,Triggers to help with change,On Waking up: Decide
48、 what positive change you want in your life. Create the trigger: Pick a specific, every-day routine chore. Do it differently, but the same way everyday; this will be the trigger. Examples: Shave the other side of your face first, put bread in the toaster upside down, put on the other shoe, first. Du
49、ring the day: Become more aware of yourself and surroundings. When you notice something “unusual”, remind yourself of your morning thought. Take the time to write it out 15 times a day.,Intuition,Intuition,Experience and expertise are not the same; intuition comes from data clues prompting investiga
50、tion. Intuition is the voice of experience using it effectively is expertise. Two type of responses from data clues: it fits a patterns and makes sense or it doesnt Intuition is not accidental, but reflects experience;,Intuitive Ability,The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift. - Albert Einstein When analytical and intuitive abilities are combined, the result is holistic.,
