Revolutionising Complex Problem-Solving: Are you ready to build the Future?

The pace of change is accelerating. In today's ever-evolving landscape, organisational solutions need to be different, and the way we solve problems needs to change, too. 

Traditional ways of organisational problem-solving often struggle to address complex, rapidly evolving contexts. To be future-fit organisations require more adaptive, context-driven, and collaborative problem-solving approaches to cultivate a workforce ready for tomorrow. 

Here are three ways we’re rethinking the way we solve problems and why it’s critical for the Future at Work. 

1.    Creating Thinking Space 

“Thinking Space” is a concept that redefines the way we approach productivity, creativity, and problem-solving. It’s the mental and physical environment you create for yourself and others that generates the capacity to focus and hold attention, to be productive and creative. 

In developing our practice of Thinking Space, we’ve been inspired by the influential work of Nancy Klein and her concept of the Thinking Environment. Klein’s theory is that how we think determines everything we do, and our ability to listen to each other leads to higher-quality thinking. 

For us, it’s about creating a space where people feel safe to think - a place to share and be heard.  Our clients are grappling with intense challenges within organisational transformations, and we know this work can be difficult and all-consuming. This immense pressure creates an environment where higher-order thinking can be compromised, so instead, we create a space where people can relax and talk freely, leading to higher-quality thinking for all of us. 

This is a foundational piece of Sprouta’s problem-solving process because as we listen, we get the context for everything happening within the organisation and for our client (personally and professionally). So, when we diagnose the problem and work with our Sprouta Ecosystem to curate the solution, we have a far better chance of successfully solving it.    

Creating Thinking Space also stops us from making assumptions, which leads to problem-jumping. Instead, we stay present and ensure we’re on the right track by getting clarification through regular sense-checking. We often hear the same problems, but the context is different. Carving out Thinking Space with our Clients means we leverage deeper thinking and generate innovative ideas and context-driven solutions. 

"A consultative approach to HR and building master problem-solving skills are desperately needed now, more than ever".  

Marcus Worrall, Co-Founder Sprouta 

 2.      Being Problem-Centric, not Solution-Centric 

What does being problem-centric mean in a world full of challenges and complexities? It’s about asking the right questions instead of having all the answers. It’s about being open to different ways of working and resisting the urge to dive headfirst into solutions. 

We are relentlessly problem-centric, and here's why it matters: 

The Value of Definition 

Being problem-centric means taking the time to define the problem. It's the first half of the success formula. 

Slow Now, Fast Later 

Being solution-centric might seem tempting, but it often leads to a convoluted, spaghetti-like approach. You keep circling back because the real problem remains unsolved. It's more than just unproductive; it's a recipe for frustration. 

Go Deeper and Diverse 

Being problem-centric allows us to dive deeper, explore diverse views and uncover the real issue. Once you're there, the solution may look very different. 

No one size fits all        

Problems don't exist in a vacuum. They are intrinsically tied to the context in which they arise. What works in one setting might not work in another. Problem-centric thinking acknowledges this and works towards tailored context-aware solutions. 

Being problem-centric is not just about adapting your operating system but also your approach to work and, more fundamentally, your way of thinking. 

 3.      Embrace Adaptive Thinking 

Nothing's black and white anymore. Everything is complex, and repeating what worked in the past can be one of the riskiest choices in today's context.  We need to break free from the linear thinking that tells us, "If it worked before, it will work now." 

Linear thinking drives tactical performance, but future-fit organisations embrace more adaptive ways of operating to thrive. For example, if you want an inclusive working environment, many people go straight to inclusive capabilities, but what about decision thinking and ensuring that decision-making processes are transparent and inclusive?  Or what about rolling out leadership training in a toxic work environment? Those leaders will only have the required behavioural change once that environment is addressed. 

Whilst adaptive thinking is challenging, it's also really rewarding. It demands a different mindset, acknowledging the cognitive load required and the ability to reframe challenges as opportunities. Seeing problems as a chance for growth and learning can be transformative. 

Through our years of experience, Marcus and I have recognised the need to revolutionise problem-solving to a new and adaptive way. We’ve built Sprouta for this exact reason. Rather than relying on the traditional method of sourcing different providers for the same problem and keeping them in their expertise streams, we asked ourselves why not bring these experts together to work as a team and solve the problem more effectively.  

"We work with our Strategic Partners and Clients as peers. We help them navigate these dynamic and complex challenges, and we all learn through this process. It’s the value of true collaboration".   

Leonie Rothwell, Co-Founder Sprouta  

At Sprouta, we’re problem-obsessed. What we do (and love) is listen to the challenges our client community face and help them build solutions to transform their organisations to be future-ready. If you’ve got a challenge and want an external perspective, we’re here, ready to help. 

Email me at leonie@sprouta.com.