Five Habits for Creative Problem Solving According to an Economist.
I first heard of Tim Harford through a book recommendation from Tyler Cowen a few years ago. Since then, I've read two of Tim's books and try to keep up with his online articles. Needless to say, I was excited to see that Tim is Tyler Cowen's latest guest on Conversations with Tyler. Their conversation covers a range of topics from Brexit to board games. There's a lot to takeaway. What stood out the most to me is Tim's approach to creative problem-solving. Each of the following ideas is lifted from the interview but includes a bit of additional context, to support the notions, obtained elsewhere: `
1. Curiosity
"Danial Kahan, who studies cultural cognition and tribal thinking, has found that a curious mindset tends to be one of the few antidotes to tribal thinking."
Curiosity is a prerequisite for creative problem-solving. I imagine that if curiosity can counteract tribal thinking, then it can undoubtedly foster thinking outside of the box. I think we can practice curiosity by following the questions that pop up in our life, day to day. It doesn’t have to be a huge task. Did you hear a word today that you don’t know the meaning? Look it up in the dictionary.
2. Small Experiments
"I should also say in Adapt, I do emphasize the importance of small experiments that give you a tremendous amount of information at the lowest possible cost."
I'm reminded of a moment last week when my Translational Research professor questioned a working prototype I had made. He said I put too much work into it. I countered and noted that it didn't take me much time, two hours tops. He said that was too much time and challenged me to create smaller interventions that I could test quicker, with very little investment. This week, that's what I did, and I've multiplied the (useful) information I have to inform decision making on the project.
3. Reframe Problems
"I still find that when I'm dealing with the problems of my friends, and talking to my wife, and we're trying to solve social problems or problems for our children, very often there's a way to reframe the problem that doesn't actually change its essentials and yet, somehow, gives a lot more clarity."
I had to look this one up. According to The Community Toolbox, reframing is "is a way of altering the presentation of an issue to counter opposing views." Put another way, "Are you solving the right problem?" Here's an example of reframing that I experienced just this week: I was trying to encourage people contemplate their mortality. Then, I talked to an expert on death and dying who said I should reconsider my angle. Rather than contemplate mortality, how do you get people to confront their loneliness? Studies show that loneliness and isolation can shrink our lifespan. It's more accessible and present than mortality. You can think about your loneliness today. Death, if you are young, may still feel far off. By reframing, I feel like I can better wrap my mind around the problem space. And, in a non-direct way, I can still help people to contemplate mortality (by addressing loneliness).
4. Slow-Motion Multitasking
“Kierkegaard called it crop rotation. You work on something, and then you put it to one side, and then you pick something else up. I gave a TED talk about this. I called it slow-motion multitasking.”
I've experienced the power of slow-motion multitasking through working on various client projects, teaching, and taking classes. I often wear several hats on any given day. Sometimes, it's overwhelming. But when I look back on the last few years where I've held multiple roles, I wouldn't have it any other way. While I'm writing this, I'm not thinking about my homework due tomorrow. That's a good thing to have a break from one activity for another. I often lean toward obsession when I'm in the middle of a project. Having something else to occupy my mind is a blessing.
5. Future Scenarios
"You tell at least two stories, and the stories are mutually contradictory… And because of the way that we respond to stories, people could hold those two stories in their heads. They now have a language to talk to each other about this uncertain future space. They now could internalize the fact that they don't actually know. And the other thing is that the scenario methodology, the storytelling methodology is a great way to get lots of different people in the room looking for interesting things to say that will wake up people's curiosity rather than arguing."
According to a video on the Shell Scenarios webpage, future scenarios release us from the "limits of our own experience." Start with a "what if" question. Then, start to generate "alternative memories of the future." I don't have enough experience with this habit to speak to it. However, it reminds me of "concept scenarios" from 101 Design Methods by Vijay Kumar. You draw out different possible real-life scenarios around concepts generated through the research process. The results look like a comic book or storyboards, giving you a new perspective on your ideas. Another similar exercise to future scenarios is the "how might we" exercise.