Two weeks ago, I ran my 43rd full marathon in Vannes, France. I guess this qualifies me as an avid runner.
I genuinely enjoy running. On the one hand, I like the physical and fitness challenge it brings. But these thousands of hours spent on roads and trails – primarily solo – have also become my best time to meditate and solve various problems.
It’s my way of stepping away and experiencing an uninterrupted flow.
The resulting sharper mind and better discernment help put things in perspective, which in turn helps me find some resolution to the most common problems.
There’s a limit, however.
I hit the wall when trying to solve more complex problems. My solitary immersion doesn’t work there.
I quickly feel trapped like a rat in a maze. The path is anything but linear, and each turn brings a new challenge and decision point. Quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions don’t work for complex problem-solving.
The reason why?
Complex problems require creativity and the ability to think outside the box. As such, you’ll make connections that others don’t and imagine solutions that aren’t instantly obvious. It’s not a solo activity. You need more than one brilliant mind to handle that interplay of analytical insight, emotional depth, and creative talent.
So, whenever I face a complex, multi-faceted problem, here’s how I tend to approach it:
1 – I don’t go solo
In complex problem-solving, you rarely have a single solution. You need to consider multiple scenarios and enlist help from diverse minds.
So, I don’t hesitate to bring colleagues, partners, and industry experts to understand the problem better and approach it from more angles.
2 – We turn on our systems thinking
Complex problems are part of a larger context with interdependencies. The more you try to split things, the more context you lose on interactions and dependencies.
Systems thinkers are everywhere. They can be mechanics who understand the roles and interactions of every part to make a car run. Or doctors who spend their lives discovering all the intricacies of the human body.
By turning on our systems thinking, we can connect wholes rather than separate parts. We consider different scenarios and their consequences. It helps focus on root causes and dig deeper.
3 – We know how to get to the root cause
Do you know what sank the Titanic? If you think it’s the iceberg, think twice! Try digging into the root cause of the excessive speed of the ship. You’ll soon realize that it originated with the company’s promotor willing to make a PR splash with an early arrival in New York.
You can use many methods – like the 5 Whys technique – to analyze root causes properly. Still, it’s critical to step back and ask yourself if you’re tackling the right problem. So make sure you put your critical thinking hat on and reframe the issue if necessary.
4 – We don’t fall for bias traps
Biases are everywhere, and they endanger the quality of your thinking. Whether you blindly focus on an immediate cause, a correlated cause, or a short-term bias, they all confuse you and lead you on the wrong path to resolution.
So, know how to recognize and avoid these most common errors in judgment. In a recent article, I wrote more specifically about these biases and how to prevent them.
Our world is becoming increasingly connected and multi-faceted. It requires us to bring in diverse perspectives and question initial assumptions.
It’s not something I can easily do on my solo runs.
The next time you face what looks like an impossible challenge, remember it’s your opportunity to innovate, collaborate with others, and demonstrate these uniquely human skills that AI – still – can’t replicate.
One complex problem at a time, you will make this world a better one!