logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2016
21m 13s

The Secret to Better Problem Solving

Harvard Business Review
About this episode
Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg discusses a nimbler approach to diagnosing problems than existing frameworks: reframing. He’s the author of “Are You Solving the Right Problems?” in the January/February 2017 issue of Harvard Business Review. 
Up next
Jul 8
How to Build an AI Assistant for Any Challenge
You might have your teams and organization implementing new AI tools, but how much have you experimented with them yourself? Alexandra Samuel is a tech speaker and journalist, and she says many leaders are still just scratching the surface of AI by using things like ChatGPT and M ... Show More
31m 53s
Jul 1
Larry Summers: ‘Smart Businesses Are Going to Maintain Flexibility’
Lawrence H. Summers, former U.S. Treasury Secretary and President Emeritus of Harvard University, has seen the ups and downs of the American economy throughout the decades. As leaders today contend with fears of economic downturn, the growth of artificial intelligence, tariffs, i ... Show More
27m 1s
Jun 24
Moms Demand Action Founder on What It Takes to Lead Change
Whether you're a manager trying to move your organization in a new direction, an entrepreneur seeking to fix a consumer pain point, or a non-profit leader working to improve society, it can be hard to turn your and others' passion for a cause into meaningful change. Shannon Watts ... Show More
26m 13s
Recommended Episodes
May 2024
A Better Framework for Solving Tough Problems
When it comes to solving complicated problems, the default for many organizational leaders is to take their time to work through the issues at hand. Unfortunately, that often leads to patchwork solutions or problems not truly getting resolved. But Anne Morriss offers a different ... Show More
30m 7s
Apr 2024
Do You Understand the Problem You’re Trying to Solve?
Problem solving skills are invaluable in any job. But all too often, we jump to find solutions to a problem without taking time to really understand the dilemma we face, according to Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, an expert in innovation and the author of the book, What's Your Proble ... Show More
23m 19s
Oct 2023
The Secret to Making Difficult Decisions
Management decisions almost always involve uncertainty. But what if you just can’t get the facts you need—or if your colleagues disagree about what you should decide? Harvard Business School professor Joseph Badaracco calls these “gray area problems.” He offers a framework for ad ... Show More
19m 34s
Jan 2010
The One Thing You Do Before You Solve Problems
Everyone fancies themselves as great problem solvers. But the one skill that we think you need PRIOR to problem-solving is “problem-finding.” In this episode, Bill and Bryan walk you through a Problem Finding approach that works perfectly for B2B sales professionals. Sales traini ... Show More
10m 34s
Apr 2022
Train Your Brain To Focus On Solutions Instead Of Problems
We are living in crazy times. We are constantly bombarded with negative news and problems that don't serve us in our day to day lives. We need to master our minds to focus on solutions instead of problems. We need to see that there are problems that we can't solve alone and we ne ... Show More
17m 28s
Feb 2022
How to Write a Great Problem Statement
In this week's episode, Ricardo talks about the Problem Statement. He explains that we often receive a problem with a solution from our customers. The given solution is not always the correct one; before thinking about how to implement the solution, we need to be clearer about wh ... Show More
7m 43s
Oct 2018
1: How to Start a Consulting Business: Your First $5k
Jonathan Stark says the key to side hustle success -- for consultants, at least -- lies in finding an expensive problem, and solving it. Jonathan's a pro at finding these expensive problems, having run a successful online consulting business for several years, focusing on mobile- ... Show More
33m 48s
Apr 2024
Disruptive Innovation in the Era of Big Tech
In 1995, the late and legendary Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen introduced his theory of “disruptive innovation” right here in the pages of the Harvard Business Review. The idea inspired a generation of entrepreneurs and businesses, ranging from small start- ... Show More
47m 39s
Nov 2023
10 Lurking Problems for Sellers with Bill Snow
Bill Snow, a noted authority on mergers and acquisitions, is back with the second part of our discussion on his new book, Mergers and Acquisitions for Dummies.  He joins host Jim Milbery to discuss the most common problems that sellers encounter in the deal process. 
1h 10m
Jul 2023
468: How to Fall in Love with a Problem with Uri Levine of Waze
There are not many interviews where Nathan Chan is speechless, but this is one of them. If you want to learn how to find product market fit, build a successful team, and create a lasting business, then Uri Levine has the map. Levine is the co-founder of two unicorn startups–Waze ... Show More
1h 2m