E141 | Reframing, innovation and problem solving with Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg

How do you solve problems? Are you even trying to solve the actual problem that needs solving? Today’s guest is so good at solving problems they named him twice, Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg. 

Thomas has developed a theory of problem-solving, but that’s not what he talks about in this latest episode. 

No, in this conversation, he talks about how you can deliberately spend time stepping away from the problem in order to look at it differently, how can you reframe the problem, and then how can you come up with a different solution to solving the problem, before moving on. 

Thomas spent 7 years studying innovation, and it was then he realised that the more things didn’t work, it wasn’t that people weren’t innovating correctly, they were solving the wrong problem. This is all discussed in his book - What’s Your Problem? (link below). 

The problem we have when we’re trying to solve problems is that we get solution blindness - we get so emotionally attached to something that we can’t see the solution, like a sort of learned behaviour. One of the tips Thomas shares is looking for ‘bright spots’, i.e. was there a time when there wasn't a problem? And can we use that to find our way to a solution? 

From how he got into problem-solving, identifying if we’re solving the right problem, the process that he uses to solve a problem, and why he brings in outside help the more important the problem is. This is an absolutely fascinating conversation with Thomas, we hope you enjoy it as much as we did. 

On today’s podcast:

• The theory of problem-solving
• The slow elevator problem
• Framing, reframing, moving forward
• The bright spots method
• Thinking outside the frame

Links:

• Book - What's Your Problem?: To Solve Your Toughest Problems, Change the Problems You Solve
• Book - Innovation as Usual: How to Help Your People Bring Great Ideas to Life
• www.howtoreframe.com