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Bulletproof Problem Solving summary
Charles Conn and Robert McLean
The One Skill That Changes Everything
24 mins
Brief summary
Bulletproof Problem Solving by Charles Conn and Robert McLean is a guide that lays out a step-by-step process for solving complex problems and making informed decisions. The book teaches readers how to approach problem-solving in a structured and logical way, increasing the probability of finding successful solutions.
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Bulletproof Problem Solving
Summary of 6 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 6
Step 1: Define the problem correctly
When you’re confronted by a problem, it’s natural to immediately start thinking about how you’re going to solve it. You rush off to gather data, consult experts, and analyze what you’ve found. Soon, you’re coming up with answers. There’s just one issue: you’ve rushed the vital first step – defining exactly what the problem is.
Creative problem-solving – particularly when it comes to layered, complex problems – only works if you’re answering the right questions. If you’re not doing that, your work will be wasted, or counterproductive.
That’s why it’s so important to start the problem-solving process by taking the time to consider what question you’re trying to answer. The best way to start is to craft a single, crisp sentence stating your problem. Then consider the broader context of your problem by asking yourself who the key decision-makers are who will determine whether your solutions will be adopted or ignored. What will success look like, and how will you know when you’ve achieved it? More importantly, how will the decision-makers gauge whether your approach is working or failing? What’s your time frame – do you need a solution by next month, or in a decade? And what level of accuracy is required, four decimal places or general direction? And finally, are any potential solutions off-limits?
These questions won’t just help you define your problem more accurately – they’ll also prevent you from spending your time coming up with great answers to the wrong questions. Put the time into this stage before you do anything else; it’ll be worth it. Einstein supposedly said that if he had an hour, he’d spend 55 minutes on understanding the problem and five minutes solving it.
To illustrate this in action, let’s take the newspaper industry as an example. Newspapers dominated local news until the mid-1990s. Then, out of nowhere, new competitors emerged in the form of internet media and online classified advertising companies.
At first, online publications spooked the industry’s top executives. But the more they looked into the problem, the more they relaxed. Newspapers had already survived the arrival of new technologies like radio and TV – why should the internet be any different? And anyway, no blog could match the kind of content produced by the large and experienced editorial teams working in newsrooms.
Of course, that’s not how things panned out. So how did they get it so wrong? Well, they hadn’t defined their problem correctly.
Online platforms didn’t primarily need to poach readers – they just needed the folks who place ads in newspapers. In other words, executives were thinking about the quality of their content, but the real issue was the quantity of revenue generated by advertising. As well, rather than looking ahead, they were thinking historically – if they’d been mighty enough to survive change in the past, why not this time? And then, when advertisers moved online, hundreds of newspapers started going bust.
The key to avoiding this trap? Asking yourself the right questions.
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What is Bulletproof Problem Solving about?
Bulletproof Problem Solving (2019) delves into one of the most important yet consistently neglected skills in the modern workplace: creative problem-solving. With many conventional jobs declining around the world, more and more employees are being tasked with tackling open-ended challenges. But you don’t need an advanced degree in statistical analysis to be a great problem solver – you just need the right strategies and a dash of creativity.
Bulletproof Problem Solving Review
Bulletproof Problem Solving (2020) by Charles Conn and Robert McLean is a valuable resource that equips readers with effective problem-solving strategies. Here's why this book stands out:
- Full of practical techniques and tools, it empowers readers to solve complex problems methodically and confidently.
- Through a combination of real-world examples and case studies, the book offers a deep understanding of problem-solving techniques in different contexts.
- With its engaging storytelling and thought-provoking insights, the book keeps readers hooked, turning the art of problem-solving into an exciting journey of discovery.
Best quote from Bulletproof Problem Solving
Good problem-solving is just as much about what you dont do as what you do.
—Charles Conn and Robert McLean
Who should read Bulletproof Problem Solving?
- Strategists and company leaders
- Creatives and thinkers
- Analysts and number-crunchers
- Graduates entering the workforce
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Bulletproof Problem Solving FAQs
What is the main message of Bulletproof Problem Solving?
The main message of Bulletproof Problem Solving is to approach problem-solving with a systematic and analytical mindset.
How long does it take to read Bulletproof Problem Solving?
The reading time for Bulletproof Problem Solving varies, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Bulletproof Problem Solving a good book? Is it worth reading?
Bulletproof Problem Solving is a valuable read for those who want to improve their problem-solving skills. It provides practical frameworks and strategies to tackle complex issues.
Who is the author of Bulletproof Problem Solving?
The author of Bulletproof Problem Solving is Charles Conn and Robert McLean.
How many chapters are in Bulletproof Problem Solving?
There are multiple chapters in Bulletproof Problem Solving.
How many pages are in Bulletproof Problem Solving?
Bulletproof Problem Solving contains a specific number of pages.
When was Bulletproof Problem Solving published?
Bulletproof Problem Solving was published in a specific year.
What to read after Bulletproof Problem Solving?
If you're wondering what to read next after Bulletproof Problem Solving, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Problem Solving 101 by Ken Watanabe
- The Five Elements of Effective Thinking by Edward B. Burger and Michael Starbird
- Soundtracks by Jon Acuff
- The Creative Thinking Handbook by Chris Griffiths & Melina Costi
- Stories for Work by Gabrielle Dolan
- Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson
- Six Thinking Hats by Edward de Bono
- Decision Making and Problem Solving by John Adair
- The Art Of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli
- The 48 Laws of Power (new version) by Robert Greene