'W-I-N'-ning Action: new twist on problem solving

The Power of Collaboration

What does 'W-I-N'-ning Action: new twist on problem solving look like in action?

It was a scorching hot summer day… 1904; the World’s Fair in St. Louis, MO.

Families teemed the grounds. There to make memories, they regaled in the sights, sounds, smells – and tastes -- of summer. Nothing was more pleasing, or in demand, than ice cream! It was a booming business day for ice cream vendor, Arnold Fornachou.

Next to him, merchant pastry chef Ernest Hamwi from Damascus, Syria was not faring so well. His delicious, sugar-sprinkled, waffle-like, crisp pastry thins (“zalabia”) were delightful and delectable. Each bite was a morsel of pure goodness that would melt in your mouth. Their rich fragrance wafted across the grounds, enticing and tantalizing.

In spite of their warm goodness and tempting aroma, they were a mismatch for the heavy heat of the day. Prickling sunshine and the fatigue of too much stimulation and excitement demanded something fresh. Weary fair-goers longed for a burst of cold to contrast with and tame the unrelenting heat.

They were normally comforting and undeniably delicious. But today the pastry sat like lonely sentinels, guarding Hamwi’s unfrequented booth. He watched the crowds that swarmed the ice cream stand next door.

In the early hours of the afternoon, the heat peaked. It rose in discernible waves from the hot pavement on the entertainment promenade. And, the most unwelcome predicament occurred.

Fornachou’s inventory of paper bowls in which the ice cream was being served ran out!

And, a tiny corner of history was about to change…

Hamwi saw his ‘competitor’ about to lose out on so much potential. He observed the now-levelled playing field. Both vendors were about to lose out on their day’s profits. Ready to claim waste to their day’s inventories, they'd have to pack up and go home. Yet, he felt no smug satisfaction. No gleeful smirk.

No… this was the World’s Fair after all! This was a day to win…

Fornachou scrambled to try to solve the problem. He became frantic, as he searched for more paper, cardboard or glass bowls. Getting more containers of some sort seemed to be the only possible solution.

Meanwhile, Hamwi turned his mind to the criteria at hand…

Serving the continued throngs of happy but tired and over-heated families.

Ensuring the success of the World Fair event and upholding the pride and hospitality of St. Louis.

Supporting the community of vendors, including his neighbour, Arnold.

So Hamwi looked at his sheets of pastry. He wondered... How could he make them into small bowls, to house his competitor’s ice cream?

His mindset? His focus?

How to do what a concessionaire does best: serve.

He rolled one of his waffle-like pastries into a cone-shaped receptacle. A cornucopia of sorts.

The cornucopia, of course, is a figurative representation of abundance and sharing. In retrospect, it's an iconic and befitting symbol of his quick thinking and generosity.

Hamwi allowed it to cool and harden for a few seconds. He gave it to his fellow concessionaire, Fornachou. There it was: an edible receptacle, ready to fill with a colourful ball of creamy, cold goodness…

Voilà – the ice cream cone! The rest, as they say, is history.

This part-fact, part-folklore story reveals a key lesson. Much like the ice cream cone has since become, it is based on underlying principles that are timeless.

Creative Exploration, Focused on Service

Our two heroes, Fornachou and Hamwi, followed two rather distinctive thinking paths. Fornachou focused on solving a problem. Hamwi considered the underlying criteria of service and looked for a solution.

The approaches are similar. But, there are a few nuances that are simple, yet extremely powerful when put into action.

Two Distinctive Thinking Paths

Problem Solving vs ''W-I-N'-ning Action: new twist on problem solving

Both problem solving and 'W-I-N-ning' action start at the same/similar point: issue identification. Then, they quickly branch off into two rather distinctive thinking paths.

Problem solving typically follows a 4-fold pattern of critical thinking questions to:

Define the problem.
Discern the root causes of the problem.
Generate and analyze possible alternative to resolve the problem.
Determine & recommend the best resolution, with implementation to address cause and effect.

In contrast, 'W-I-N-ning' action will usually take a trajectory that is more exploratory. It uses a 3-step ‘what-if’ thinking process to ask and address:

1. W-hat is the issue, challenge or opportunity?

2. If an I-deal solution were possible, what would be its criteria? Criteria are determined without knowing or presupposing the ideal solution.

This is a bit different than decision-criteria. The latter is usually based on outcomes that must be met. Outcomes used to 'test' a possible resolution to the issue.

'W-I-N-ning' criteria, on the other hand, is based on vision and rooted in values. It starts with clarifying shared values or ideals. Criteria includes more than desired 'test' outcomes. Criteria encompass a broader vision. The intent is to reach past immediate 'resolution' and strive to create a 'new' solution. One that is more innovative, permanent and/or broader. It's about synergy.

3. N-ow, how will you proceed, for best outcome? 'W-I-N-ning' action uses scenario building and ‘what-if’ questioning. Query and curiosity are a springboard to explore how to meet the criteria.

This means a somewhat experimental approach and present-moment focus. It's geared towards enacting mini-solutions ‘now’, plus achieving breakthrough thinking longer term.

A Synergistic, Collaborative Perspective

The difference in the two approaches is primarily in perspective.

'W-I-N-ning' action: new twist on problem solving makes us think. It stretches us beyond the parameters of the problem. You are deliberately looking for synergy, collaboration and innovation. It's a chance to not just resolve the problem at hand. It's an opportunity to “make something happen that was not going to happen anyway.”

It is the work of leadership, in action.

It is a recipe for teamwork.

It is a way of coming together to co-create.

And, it is incredibly simple.

Yet, 'W-I-N-ning' action can also be deceptively counterintuitive, challenging, and almost daring. It requires you to suspend, at least for the moment:

Preconceived or obvious solutions;
Bias and opinions; and,
Any kind of win-lose competitiveness.

Instead, it calls upon you to compete solely on excellence. It's a sort of inner competitiveness or ‘us-against-the-odds’ competitiveness. A win-win-win mentality.

In short, it is fuelled by a desire to win. It’s a type of winning that has no losers. It’s a win that contributes. One that serves and strives to create a better circumstance for all.

You'll have to flex your muscle of creativity. It requires you to stimulate your thinking, and to hone or rekindle your skill at being curious and open. These are fundamental underpinnings to real and permeating innovation.

Skills well worth cultivating! Not always expedient. Sometimes humbling. Always challenging.

'W-I-N'-ning Action: new twist on problem solving. Infographic available to share here.

Creating Win-Win-Win

'W-I-N-ning' action differs from problem solving in the following fundamental ways:

Mindset:

Problem solving is often focused on an issue or dilemma to be ‘fixed’. It seeks resolution. It is often fuelled by necessity and sometimes enslaved to timeframes or preconceived agendas. It is the mindset of ‘solver’.

'W-I-N-ning' Action: new twist on problem solving considers a more Einstein-like perspective. It views the problem as a mystery. A conundrum. An opportunity. It's a chance to explore, discover or maybe even create something new. It is a more experimental mindset, fuelled largely by curiosity and opportunity. It is the mindset of a seeker.

Approach:

Problem solving is usually based on causal thinking. It rests on a premise of root-cause analysis. In other words, the best problem solving is not symptomatic or superficial. It draws on analytical skills to discern root causes. It calls for research to come up with possible solutions.

'W-I-N-ning' is less concerned with “what got us here”. It considers causal factors. But, it has a more expansive focus -- on the criteria of what an ideal outcome would entail. Once defined, it uses this criteria to probe for future possibilities and/or uncharted potentialities. It's a process of discovery and synergy vs. causal analysis and resolution.

Outcome:

Problem solving will typically yield a “best possible resolution”. It will use analysis to select from amongst several possibilities or alternatives. These alternatives are the result of early brainstorming and/or provided in advance, for analysis.

'W-I-N-ning' will typically yield innovation and often synergy. The desired outcome is a “solution” that was not foreseen at the outset.

The Difference, Summarized

Each approach obviously has its benefits and drawbacks. Each also has its time and place, with one critical differentiator.

'W-I-N'-ning Action: new twist on problem solving is hugely beneficial during times of change. Especially, resistance to change. This is because it not only supports but also fosters strong interpersonal communication.

'W-I-N-ning' action lays a foundation for collaboration. It requires openness, which promotes togetherness, while making the most of diversity.

It is a conflict-buster in times of stress.

It allows – and requires you – to focus on shared interests and desires – on the criteria.

Doing so reduces the possibility of becoming:

Polarized and defensive: when you focus on causes. If not careful, this can lead to ‘blame’, shame and/or self-justification.
Divisive: when you strive to ‘fix’ or ‘solve’ the issue. The focus on resolution vs. possibility can introduce bias, opinion, and dissension.

It's a collaboration-builder. It demands curiosity, listening, and sharing of what matters most. It's a focus on shared criteria vs. favoured solutions.

It is also a game-changer. It draws upon your imagination and piques your exploratory nature. It opens your mind to creating new solutions vs. finding ones among pre-existing alternatives.

Like the ice cream cone, it is a cornucopia of potential, born of the desire to serve.

Possibilities Are of Your Making

Make it work for you! The next time you or your team are faced with a problem to solve:

Step back.
Steep yourself, if only for a moment, in 'W-I-N-ning' thinking.

That is, once you have agreed on what the issue is, don't offer solutions - yet. Start first with the criteria you wish to see met, ideally.

Then, unleash the power of your imagination, critical and creative thinking. Explore and energize possibilities and potential.

You may not make history, as our friend Hamwi did. You will experience a kind of exhilarating exhaustion. The kind that happens when you serve up your best!

'W-I-N'-ning Action: new twist on problem solving.

Develop a habit of creative collaboration and synergistic thinking. It's rewarding, inventive, and energizing!

What keeps us stuck? 3 things that prevent us from implementing new ideas or charting new futures:

Self-doubt. Can you do it? Listening to the nay-saying of our own inner critic or the negativity of others.
Lack of Clarity. Confusion. Blurred focus. Weak vision, to make it a priority.
Tools. Knowing how to start (and stop) and what to do, for success.

The online program EMPOWER SUCCESS gets us unstuck. It's a wonderful gift to yourself and/or to those you mentor. The certainty of a meaningful vision that enlivens. Bigger possibilities. Bolder action. Enthusiasm and results.

We learn from each others' experiences! What are you doing to think past problems and foster synergy and innovation?