2- Don’t Get Eaten By Lions! 6 Steps to Thinking Out of the Box

This photo, “Roaring Lion” is copyright (c) Martin_Heigan and made available under a Creative Commons license.

One of the benefits that you have as a new professional is your ability to think differently than others around you. Many tools have carved your personality and thought process. These include your technical training, relationships with friends and family, and work history. A variety influences have helped shape who you are and how you think. Use this to your advantage. We are wired by our DNA to be part of a larger group for survival- this behavior carries into the office. This is evident in many offices where co-workers have been culturally assimilated to the company’s culture and show it by using the same verbiage and sometimes, even having the same body language. As a new professional, set yourself apart by not falling into the same routine and to challenge the attitude “that’s how it’s always been done.” Think for yourself, think outside of the box, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.

What would you do if you were driving through a lion park and your car caught on fire?

According to the BBC News, Helen Clements and her two children found themselves answering this question when a fire started under the hood of their car while driving inside a lion enclosure where lions roamed within 100 yards of the car. I used this story as a conversation starter at several networking events recently. Interestingly, when asked, “what would do” most of the people responded they would get out of the car and run. This answer is based on the premise that only two options are available to choose from- run, or burn. What Helen actually did was start honking the horn. The park rangers saw the black smoke and were able to rescue the family.

How do you get out of the Lion’s Den? 6 Steps to becoming a box escape artist!

Step 1: Identify, understand, and re-state. This is an important, but often over-looked task. If you don’t know what problem you are trying to solve, how will you know when you have the right answer? Start by confirming the question. When your boss asks you a question, take a few minutes to engage them and probe to understand what they need.

Imagine if your boss asked you to stop by the rental car agency and pick him up a 2-door for his upcoming vacation. He tells you he wants something powerful and red. You diligently run out and come back with a red Porsche that has a flat-6 engine. Your boss, however, is disappointed when you return because he won’t be able to use it on his upcoming off-road camping trip. Had you taken the time to ask good questions you would have identified what he was looking for and come back with a 4×4 pickup truck.

This is, for most of us, a non-realistic example, but you get my point. Don’t underestimate the power of meaningful, layered, questions. There might be a need or question beneath the surface. Once you have a mutual understanding of the problem re-state it, in writing, so that you can reference it if you lose your focus while solving.

Step 2: Bracket the problem. Consider this as life algebra. Take out a piece of paper and write every fact you know related to the given problem and the desired outcome. Once you have your list in front of you, cross out anything on it that is not a fact. If this is the first time you have used this process you will likely find that there one or more statements on your list that are actually assumptions rather than facts. Assumptions are often hurdles on your problem-solving track.

This photo is copyright (c) mitchozerdesign.com and made available under a Creative Commons license.

Step 3: Brainstorm. Spend a few minutes writing down all of the possible outcomes of your problem solving. This is the time to be creative- write anything that comes to mind, regardless of how possible or probable it is. Once you have a complete list, develop a matrix of the tools available to you- this might include equations, computer programs, research, etc. Then repeat the process but this time write down the tools you wish you had. For example, if you have the equations but the actual calculations are tedious you might wish for a computer program.

Step 4: Gather your resources and start working the problem. How do you know which outcome to start working toward? I recommend putting the lists you created while brainstorming away and take a break. Whether this is for a few hours or, ideally, overnight when you pick your list back up you will have a fresh perspective. Ask your gut what three outcome/tool options are most likely to result in the best answer- then circle them.

Step 5: Solve the problem. Start with your number one solution and keep working until you’ve solved the problem – hopefully in a new and creative way. If you are stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your mentor or your peers. Chances are someone has solved a similar problem in the past and can help you work through yours.

Step 6: Share your Solution. Most people stop at Step 5. Why? Perhaps because it is convenient- the problem is now solved and you are on to the next one. I challenge you to help others learn. Chances are you used the knowledge of others to help solve the problem- pay it forward. Considering writing a paper, presenting at an office lunch meeting, or simply e-mailing others on your team a summary of the problem and how you solved it. Imagine if Pythagoras had kept his theorem to himself! How would we solve problems involving right triangles? By sharing the answer and the tools you generated in the process of problem solving, you add value to the team. As they say, a rising tide lifts all ships.

What problem are you solving today?