Show Your Work: Making Problem-Solving Visible to Build Better Teams

Jamie Flinchbaugh, Founder of JFlinch, shares his insights in this solo episode of the People Solve Problems podcast. Jamie emphasizes the importance of being tool-agnostic in problem-solving, focusing on approaches that work both within and beyond specific methodologies.

He addresses a common leadership mistake that affects problem-solving culture: leaders often keep their problem-solving process hidden in their heads rather than making it visible to others. He stresses that "you can't be a role model if nobody sees you do it." When leaders don't show their work, team members only see the final decision without understanding the thought process behind it. This can lead others to believe that problem-solving is purely about insight and intuition rather than rigorous analysis and frameworks.

Writing things down is crucial for effective problem-solving. The act of writing engages different parts of the brain and can help break through mental blocks. He encourages listeners to start writing down problems they're stuck on, whether on a whiteboard, paper, or digital notes. This practice has proven effective for centuries through journaling, as writing changes how we think about problems.

Jamie introduces his "From Stuck to Solved" approach, highlighting that getting stuck while solving problems is not only inevitable but potentially beneficial. These moments of being stuck often lead to breakthroughs and require bringing something new to the table. He shares personal experiences, including his work as an automotive design engineer on the Plymouth Prowler, where perseverance was key to finding solutions.

Drawing inspiration from historical figures, he points to Albert Einstein's problem-solving approach, which combined individual work with collaboration. Einstein's perseverance demonstrated that sometimes staying with a problem long enough allows solutions to emerge through sustained effort and hard work.

He also discusses the importance of avoiding over-standardization in problem-solving. While organizations should have standard tools, being too rigid can lead to autopilot thinking. He suggests trying different approaches when stuck, comparing it to driving on the opposite side of the road – the discomfort makes you more observant and can lead to new insights.

For listeners interested in learning more about Jamie's approach to problem-solving, they can visit his website at jflinch.com or connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieflinchbaugh/. 

Additional resources include his Learning Lab (https://www.jflinch.com/learning-lab/), his article in The Lean Mag about standardizing problem-solving (https://www.theleanmag.com/post/be-careful-before-standardizing-your-problem-solving), and his YouTube video on leadership visibility (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nnPd5FNsnQ&t=1s).