Book Byte #90 "Bulletproof Problem Solving" by Charles Conn and Robert McLean

The One Skill That Changes Everything

📣 Curious Quotes from the Author

“The bulletproof problem solving process is both a complete process and an iterative cycle. This cycle can be completed over any timeframe with the information at hand. Once you reach a preliminary end point, you can repeat the process to draw out more insight for deeper understanding.”

“Solving a problem simply means representing it so as to make the solution transparent”

📚 Cognition of the Book’s Big Idea:

A structured approach to dynamic and creative problem-solving is required in the modern workplace, and the best alternative is a structured, iterative approach such as the Bulletproof technique, which we have covered here. Remember to start by clearly stating your problem and understanding the decision-maker's context, and keep in mind that problem solving is iterative, so your answers will improve as you dig deeper into the facts and deepen your understanding. Don't forget to synthesize your findings and undertake the necessary work to present an engaging tale. Great problem-solving abilities are superpowers that can practically change the world.

Fixing the Tech Industry

We are Problem Solvers, to our very core. When someone can’t make sense of a system, who do they call first? Us! The Technical ones. Do we always have an immediate fix? No, but we usually figure it out, or at the very least no where to find the solution. Our brains are very logical, and we can follow that logic to almost any solution.

However, there are some situations where we shouldn’t. It has everything to do with Teaching a man to fish, feeding him for a lifetime mentality. If we always help and never teach why problems arise, then they will never learn and be reliant upon us forever. You may think “Well that’s Job security!” but let me ask you a question: “Are you prepared to fish for them you’re entire life? Are you prepared to be 80 years old still fixing their email problems?”

I didn’t think so. Upward promotion in your Career is the goal, you need to be solving the big problems in your life and relationships, not beating the same email problem to death.

🤝Collaborate with others with this Social Media Prompt:

What can you do to help Grandma learn how to forward her own emails? (Hint, showing her a screen share video tutorial does wonders)