Dennis Compton’s Post

Want to drive meaningful change? Then accept the maddening truth of four killer problems. The powerful solution may surprise you. I derived the killer problems of change and innovation from an influence-diagram model of complex adaptive systems. 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝟭: 𝗦𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 The sheer number of choices and actions needed over time to achieve an aspiration. The choices and actions need to be coherent, and it’s impossible to have an individual thought process for each. 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝟮: 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆… Every system requires time to change. So how do you judge choices and actions before the results are in? 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝟯: 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 Unknown, uncontrollable, and changing influences. No entity is free from the influences of the outside world, influences that can profoundly change progress. 𝗞𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝟰: 𝗖𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗮𝗹 What matters most is the least actionable. In complex systems—and any organization requiring a strategy *is* a complex adaptive system—it is impossible to manipulate results directly. The choices and actions you are free to make lead only to a probability of achieving your aspirations. In 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝘼𝙥𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙘𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙜𝙮, I lay out why a 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝘂𝗹𝗲 designed to bust the bottleneck to achieving aspirations. To overcome the killer problems, the strategy rule must have three properties: 1. Be a 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲  2. Provide 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 3. 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝗳𝘆 all choices and actions I'll explore what that looks like in a future post. #EmergentApproach #AdaptiveStrategy #StrategyDesign

The "Reframe-Explore-Evaluate" method is a structured approach to problem-solving that helps you develop a systematic and creative process. It involves three key steps: Reframing the problem to define it clearly and challenge assumptions, getting to the root of the issue and identifying key goals and objectives. Exploring potential solutions by generating a wide range of ideas, considering different scenarios and outcomes, and thinking outside the box. Evaluating each potential solution against your goals and objectives, considering pros and cons, risks and benefits, and feasibility, effectiveness, and potential impact to choose the best option. By following this method, you can approach problems in a more methodical and innovative way, leading to better solutions and outcomes. #ProblemSolving #CriticalThinking #Creativity #DecisionMaking #Productivity #Efficiency #Innovation #Strategy #SuccessTips #PersonalGrowth #ProfessionalDevelopment

Effective problem-solving involves a structured approach. Start by clearly defining the problem and gathering relevant information. Break down the problem into smaller, manageable parts to identify root causes. Brainstorm multiple solutions, considering both short-term and long-term implications. Evaluate each solution based on feasibility, impact, and potential risks. Choose the most promising solution and implement it with a clear action plan. Regularly monitor progress and be prepared to adjust your approach if necessary. #ProblemSolving #CriticalThinking #DecisionMaking #Innovation #Efficiency

🚀 Unlocking Problem-Solving with First Principles Thinking 🚀 First principles thinking is a problem-solving approach where you break down a complex problem into fundamental truths or basic principles, then build solutions from there. It involves questioning assumptions, understanding core concepts, and reasoning from first principles rather than relying on analogy or conventional wisdom. This method encourages innovation and creativity by enabling fresh perspectives and original solutions to emerge. By challenging assumptions, seeking fundamental truths, and iteratively refining solutions, we can tackle great challenges in any endeavor. Let's harness the power of first principles thinking to drive impactful change and unlock new possibilities in every aspect of our lives! 💡✨ #ProblemSolving #FirstPrinciples #Innovation

Reading alert! “Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath is a highly recommended read for anyone interested in understanding and implementing change effectively. Here are a few reasons why it’s worth reading: Practical Framework: The book provides a clear, actionable framework for change that can be applied in both personal and professional contexts. Engaging Stories: The authors use compelling real-life stories to illustrate their points, making the concepts easy to understand and remember. Research-Based: The strategies are grounded in psychological research, ensuring they are both credible and effective. The book introduces a powerful metaphor to explain the dynamics of change: the Rider, the Elephant, and the Path. Direct the Rider: The Rider represents our rational side, the part that plans and analyzes. Strategy: Provide clear direction to avoid analysis paralysis. This involves scripting critical moves and pointing to the destination. For example, instead of vague goals, set specific, actionable steps. Motivate the Elephant: The Elephant symbolizes our emotional side, which provides the energy and drive for change. Strategy: Engage the emotional side by finding the feeling that will motivate action. This could involve shrinking the change to make it less daunting or finding ways to create small wins that build momentum. Shape the Path: The Path refers to the environment and external factors that influence behavior. Strategy: Make the journey easier by tweaking the environment, building habits, and rallying the herd. This might mean altering the physical space, creating action triggers, or leveraging social norms to support the desired change. By addressing all three elements—Rider, Elephant, and Path—you can create a comprehensive strategy for achieving lasting change.

🔍 First Principles: The Foundation of True Problem-Solving Imagine stripping away every assumption you have about a problem. What would you find? What if you could rebuild your solution from the ground up, based only on truths you can prove? That’s the power of first principles thinking—a timeless approach that has fueled breakthroughs in science, technology, and beyond. At its core, first principles thinking means breaking a problem down to its most basic, indisputable truths and using them as the building blocks for solutions. Instead of relying on “this is how it’s always been done,” it challenges you to ask, Why? repeatedly until you hit bedrock. Here’s how to apply it: 🧩 Step 1: Deconstruct assumptions. Start by identifying everything you think you know about the problem. Challenge these assumptions—what can you prove, and what’s just inherited thinking? 🔬 Step 2: Identify the fundamentals. Find the core principles that cannot be broken down further. These are your starting points—facts and truths that anchor your solution. 🛠 Step 3: Reconstruct with clarity. Use these fundamentals to build a solution, free of unnecessary complexity or biases. The process often reveals innovative approaches and eliminates inefficiencies. First principles thinking isn’t just a method; it’s a mindset. It helps you see beyond surface-level patterns and tackle challenges with a clarity that others miss. Whether you’re navigating academic research, business strategy, or personal decisions, this approach drives impactful results. 💡 How could applying first principles change how you approach your biggest challenges today? Let’s talk in the comments! #FirstPrinciples #CriticalThinking #ProblemSolving #InnovatorsMindset #GrowthMindset

What is your strategic thinking weakest / strongest domain? I think everyone has an Achilles' heel. Strategic analysis requires looking at a situation from at least three different perspectives - objective (physical), application (actions) and needs & wants (emotional + political). I definitely struggle with Needs & Wants 🤷♂️ Objective: Consider the tangible realities like cars, hammers, or computers, easily verifiable on a small scale. On a larger scale, the objective state is difficult to agree upon - as all sorts of measurments can be manipulated. Generals saying bunkers are built does not always mean that. Application:  This is how you put physical objects in action. Some of the applications are known and well practice, but novelty can still happen (doing the unthinkable with existing tools / new / improved tools). Challenges arise in proper experimentations frameworks and impact / efficiency of use. Needs and Wants: ephemeral and mostly hidden. Most people do not understand their own motivation nor assumptions. They do not understand how much of that is their own and how much is cultural, and how much is imposed by the reality. What meets the need is also discussable and can be influenced. This is emotional, political want.

Understanding the two thinking systems, System 1 and System 2, is crucial for making informed decisions. System 1 operates fast, intuitively, and effortlessly, driven by emotions and past experiences, while System 2 functions slower, analytically, and consciously, requiring effort and concentration. By recognizing when to rely on quick intuition and when to engage in deeper, more deliberate thinking, we can enhance our decision-making processes. #System1 #System2 #DecisionMaking #CriticalThinking

Let’s talk about something a little controversial: missing the mark on problem-solving. Often, businesses are solving the wrong problems and developing the wrong solutions. And here’s the thing—we don’t talk about it enough! When the problem isn’t clearly defined, you end up wasting time on solutions that don’t really fix anything. Here’s how your business can stop solving the wrong problems and start innovating the right way: 1. Empathize & Understand: Dive deep into your customers' and stakeholders' needs. Ask the tough questions and look beyond the surface to understand what’s really going wrong. 2. Define the Real Problem: This is crucial—don’t jump into solutions right away. Spend time clearly defining the problem so you know exactly what you’re solving. 3. Test & Iterate: Before rolling out big changes, start small. Test your solution, gather feedback, and tweak as needed. Iteration is key to finding the right answer. #ProcuraSolutions #ProblemSolving #ProcurementExcellence #BusinessChallenges #DesignThinking #ProcurementStrategy

Understanding the problem is often more powerful than finding a quick fix🚀 In our fast-paced world, it's tempting to rush into solutions. But, what if we took a step back and truly understood the problem first? By accurately diagnosing the issue, we can uncover insights that lead to more effective and sustainable solutions. Knowing the problem in depth allows us to: - Address root causes instead of symptoms. - Innovate with precision and clarity. - Save time and resources in the long run. - Create solutions that truly resonate with stakeholders. Next time you're faced with a challenge, remember: A well-defined problem is half the solution. Let's embrace the power of understanding the problem to drive impactful change💡 #ProblemSolving #Innovation #ContinuousImprovement