People Solve Problems Jamie Flinchbaugh

In this episode of People Solve Problems, host Jamie Flinchbaugh welcomed Jeff Grimshaw, Principal at MGStrategy, for a thought-provoking conversation. Jeff Grimshaw, who has dedicated over 25 years to assisting leaders worldwide in aligning their organizations' people, strategy, and culture for better business outcomes, shared his insights on creating environments where taking calculated risks is encouraged to foster innovation and agility.

 

Jeff and Jamie discussed the critical difference between "play it safe" spaces and "go for great" environments within organizations. Jeff highlighted that many large companies, despite their complexity, are striving to become more agile to compete with smaller, more dynamic rivals. This transformation requires a shift in culture towards embracing risks as part of problem-solving and decision-making processes. Jeff emphasized the importance of defining clear domains where it's essential to adhere strictly to regulations and standards, such as safety and quality control ("play it safe"), versus areas where innovation and risk-taking can drive growth and improvement ("go for great").

 

A significant challenge in this cultural shift is overcoming the natural human tendency to avoid risks due to fear of failure or retribution. Jeff states that fostering a culture that supports taking calculated risks and learning from both successes and failures is crucial for organizations aiming to be more agile and innovative. He mentioned the importance of retrospectives or after-action reviews as a tool to learn from all outcomes, regardless of whether they're seen as successes or failures, helping to mitigate biases that can hinder effective decision-making.

 

The conversation underscored the importance of aligning individual actions with the broader interests of the organization. By encouraging a mindset of playing to win and thinking long-term, Jeff believes that organizations can overcome the inertia of a survival mindset, which is more about avoiding blame than achieving greatness.

 

This episode offers valuable insights into how leaders can cultivate a culture that balances safety and innovation, encourages risk-taking within a calculated framework, and aligns individual motivations with organizational goals for sustained success. Jeff Grimshaw's experience and perspectives make it a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, culture, and the dynamics of change within organizations. For more on Jeff Grimshaw, visit his website at MGStrategy and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Cheryl Stokes, the CEO of CNEXT, joined Jamie Flinchbaugh on his podcast "People Solve Problems" to share her insights into corporate education, leadership development, culture change, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. With a rich background that spans over two decades, Cheryl has significantly contributed to these fields through her roles at Heidrick & Struggles and Duke Corporate Education before her current role. Her educational achievements include two Master of Science degrees from MIT and a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Kettering University, equipping her with a unique perspective on leadership and organizational effectiveness.

In the episode, Cheryl discusses the concept of inclusion, defining it as the intentional creation of an environment where all individuals can contribute productively. She stresses the importance of moving beyond merely assembling diverse groups to ensuring active participation and listening within these groups. She emphasizes that inclusion requires deliberate effort and intentionality to be meaningful and effective.

Cheryl elaborates on the concept of inclusive leadership, which she describes as the ability to foster an environment that celebrates and utilizes the diversity of a team. She outlines the traits of an inclusive leader, including humility, self-awareness, curiosity about others, cultural intelligence, the ability to collaborate effectively, and a visible commitment to inclusion. These traits, according to Cheryl, are essential for leaders who aim to unlock the full potential of their teams by creating a culture of belonging and engagement.

The conversation also touched on the equation of diversity and inclusion, with Cheryl explaining that while diversity is a fact, inclusion is an act that leads to a sense of belonging, which in turn drives engagement within organizations. This engagement is crucial for achieving lower turnover rates, higher productivity, and overall organizational success.

Cheryl's contributions extend beyond her professional work; she is involved in several organizations, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and serves as a trustee with the UK charity Leadership Through Sport and Business, supporting disadvantaged young people. Her commitment to fostering inclusive environments and promoting social mobility is evident in her work and volunteer activities.

Listeners of the podcast can learn more about Cheryl Stokes and her work in fostering inclusive leadership and organizational cultures through her company's website, www.c-next.com, and her LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheryl-stokes-0798653/. Her insights provide valuable guidance for anyone looking to enhance their leadership skills and build more inclusive, productive, and engaged teams.

In this episode of the People Solve Problems podcast, Jamie Flinchbaugh welcomes Rebecca Snelling, the owner of RS Consulting. The conversation focuses on the themes of collaboration, problem-solving, leadership, and the importance of a culture that supports these endeavors within the design and construction industry.

 

Rebecca brings a wealth of experience in coaching individuals, teams, and organizations on leadership and lean transformation, with a particular emphasis on culture advancement. She has a significant presence in the design and construction sector, contributing to various industry events both in the US and internationally. Her work involves helping clients to understand their current and target conditions and devising strategies to achieve their objectives effectively.

 

During the episode, Jamie and Rebecca explore the intricacies of collaboration in problem-solving. Rebecca underscores the importance of understanding a problem's impacts and the people it affects, advocating for the inclusion of diverse perspectives in the problem-solving process. She shares a compelling anecdote about a painter who, despite being unrelated to a construction project, provided a breakthrough solution during a planning session. This story highlights the value of external perspectives and the potential of "half-baked" ideas to spark innovation.

 

Rebecca also discusses the concept of "touching the outside of the problem," emphasizing the need to balance inclusivity with effectiveness. She suggests various strategies for managing large groups and ensuring productive collaboration, such as pre-discussions, breaking into smaller groups, and focusing on perspectives that offer the most value.

 

The conversation then shifts to the dynamics of problem-solving teams, with Rebecca advocating for a critical and thoughtful approach to team composition and problem scope. She warns against the inefficiency of involving too many participants and the necessity of maintaining a lean team for agility and speed.

 

Rebecca further addresses the balance between speed, thoroughness, and inclusion in problem-solving. She points out the pendulum swing between extremes and the importance of finding a middle ground that maximizes efficiency without sacrificing quality. She champions the development of problem-solving skills across the organization to empower more individuals and groups to address challenges effectively.

 

Ideation and brainstorming form another critical part of their discussion. Rebecca stresses the importance of setting clear expectations for brainstorming sessions, encouraging the sharing of half-baked ideas to foster collaboration and innovation. She mentions using tools like Mural for asynchronous collaboration and emphasizes the value of engaging younger or less experienced team members to bring fresh perspectives.

 

The episode encapsulates the essence of problem-solving in collaborative environments, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives, the judicious composition of problem-solving teams, and the balance between speed and thoroughness. Rebecca's insights offer valuable lessons for leaders and organizations aiming to foster a culture that champions effective problem-solving and innovation.

 

For more on Rebecca's work and insights, visit her website at www.rebeccasnelling.com and connect with her on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasnelling/.

In a recent episode of the People Solve Problems podcast, Jamie Flinchbaugh sits down with Sarah Tilkens, Senior Manager of OpEx for GE Healthcare as well as the CEO & Founder of The KPI Lab, to discuss the art and science of problem-solving within organizations. Sarah shares her journey from an early interest in Six Sigma to founding The KPI Lab, focusing on how to tackle complex problems that professionals face in today’s business environment. She emphasizes the importance of a clear understanding of problems, advocating for a methodical approach to problem identification that prioritizes empathy and deep listening.

Sarah’s insights into her role as an coach with GE and The KPI Lab reveal her approach: she sees KPIs as not just as metrics but as narratives that guide and motivate teams towards continuous improvement and innovation. Her discussion with Jamie explores how effective problem-solving involves blending analytical rigor with a profound understanding of human behavior and team dynamics.

Throughout the episode, Sarah provides practical examples of how asking the right questions, fostering a culture of curiosity, and adopting a learner’s mindset can transform challenges into opportunities for growth. She stresses the significance of leadership in cultivating an environment where teams are empowered to experiment, learn from failures, and innovate.

This conversation offers listeners an opportunity to learn about the nuances of operational excellence, the subtleties of managing team dynamics, and the critical role of leadership in fostering a problem-solving culture. For those eager to learn more about Sarah’s work or to connect with her, information is available on The KPI Lab's website (www.thekpilab.com) and her LinkedIn profile 

 

This episode is essential for anyone looking to enhance their problem-solving skills, drive operational efficiency, and inspire a culture of innovation within their organization.

In this People Solve Problems podcast episode, Jamie Flinchbaugh engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Durward Sobek, Vice Provost at Montana State University-Bozeman. They go into the challenges and nuances of solving ill-defined and open-ended problems, particularly in the realm of product development. Durward brings his extensive experience to the table, discussing the importance of truly understanding the needs and experiences of users to drive innovation and create effective solutions. Durward emphasizes the significance of approaching problem-solving with a wide lens, encouraging listeners to embrace the complexity and ambiguity of real-world issues. He shares insights into the ideation process, underscoring the value of generating a diverse range of ideas to uncover novel solutions. This approach, he argues, is key to moving beyond traditional, linear problem-solving methods, allowing for a more dynamic and flexible response to the challenges faced in product development and beyond. Throughout the episode, Durward highlights the critical role of empathy in understanding user needs. By actively listening and observing, innovators can gain a deeper insight into the problems they are trying to solve, leading to more impactful and user-centered solutions. He stresses the importance of looking at problems from multiple perspectives to find unique and effective answers that might not be immediately apparent. The conversation also touches on the value of collaboration and diversity of thought in the problem-solving process. Durward points out that bringing together individuals with different backgrounds and areas of expertise can significantly enhance the creative process, leading to richer, more comprehensive solutions. Durward's discussion with Jamie is not just about techniques and strategies for problem-solving; it also covers the mindset and cultural shifts necessary to tackle complex challenges effectively. They explore the need for organizations and individuals to be adaptable, willing to experiment, and open to learning from failure. This, Durward suggests, is essential for fostering an environment where innovation can thrive, and real progress can be made in addressing the multifaceted problems of today's world. Listeners interested in the intersection of innovation, problem-solving, and product development will find invaluable insights in this episode. Durward's expertise and perspectives shed light on how to approach ill-defined problems with a fresh, creative mindset, offering practical advice for anyone looking to make a meaningful impact through their work. For more on Durward's work and insights into problem-solving and innovation, you can visit Montana State University-Bozeman's website at https://www.montana.edu/dsobek/ or https://www.montana.edu/mie/ or connect with him directly through his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/durward-sobek-4838b96/. This episode is a must-listen for those passionate about driving change and creating solutions that genuinely meet user needs, highlighting the power of problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration in tackling some of today's most challenging problems.

In the latest episode of the "People Solve Problems" podcast, host Jamie Flinchbaugh welcomes Joshua Ehrig, Professor of Practice at Lehigh University. Joshua shares insightful perspectives on problem-solving within the realms of entrepreneurship, business model innovation, and corporate innovation.

Joshua begins by highlighting the critical importance of identifying the root cause of problems. He emphasizes a methodical approach, starting with a deep understanding of the problem at hand before jumping into solutions. This involves asking the right questions and employing a mix of analytical tools and empathy to get to the heart of the issue.

When facing multiple problems simultaneously, Joshua advises on the need to prioritize based on impact and urgency. He suggests a strategic approach to problem-solving that involves evaluating the significance of each problem in relation to the overall goals of the organization.

Experimentation plays a key role in Joshua's problem-solving arsenal. He champions the adoption and integration of new problem-solving techniques, advocating for a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation. By experimenting with various methods, individuals and organizations can discover what works best in different scenarios, leading to innovative solutions.

Throughout the conversation, Joshua's insights are attributed to his extensive experience and knowledge in the field, reflecting his contributions to teaching and practice at Lehigh University. His approach to problem-solving is not just theoretical but deeply rooted in practical application, aimed at preparing students and professionals to navigate complex business challenges.

The episode not only showcases Joshua's expertise but also serves as a testament to the power of effective problem-solving in driving innovation and success in business. His perspective underscores the importance of behaviors and culture in shaping problem-solving practices within organizations.

Listeners interested in learning more about Joshua Ehrig can visit his profile at Lehigh University or connect with him on LinkedIn.