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Stop Guessing: The 9 Behaviors of Great Problem-Solvers

Berrett-Koehler, Independent Publisher of the Year

Bad problem‐solving is everywhere and costs individuals and society incalculable amounts of time and money. Problems persist because people have only been trained to solve easy problems, usually by guessing. This guessing approach is rarely successful when applied to hard problems. When problem‐solving efforts fail, people often find expensive or painful ways to live with or work around the problems they face, sometimes growing so accustomed to problems that they no longer even notice them.

Great problem-solvers are armed with a set of behaviours, not just a methodical approach, that allows them to avoid guessing. They consistently solve hard problems to root cause in a way that can seem magical to most people.

Author Nat Greene has spent over 20 years solving hard problems and developing and leading great problem-solvers. In this time, he has found that great problem‐solvers consistently exhibit certain behaviours when solving hard problems. In Stop Guessing, you will learn what the behaviours are, why they’re important to success, and how to begin adopting them. Developing your strength in these behaviours will help you to:

Have the confidence to solve the hard problems you face
Easily build alignment to implement the right solution
Identify more important and valuable opportunities that are being ignored
Help others to be better problem‐solvers
Stop wasting time and money, and trying your patience

Each of the 9 Behaviours comes with stories of great problem‐solving in action, including a best‐in-class chemical processor that had hundreds of millions of dollars of upside hidden behind a hard problem, a losing baseball team without the budget for star players, and the scourge of poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Stop Guessing

Smell the Problem

The second behavior of great problem solvers is to Smell the Problem. Don't solve a problem behind a computer or in a conference room--get out there!

Embrace Your Ignorance

The third behavior of great problem solvers is to Embrace Your Ignorance. Don't be afraid of asking "stupid" questions--it's what you _don't_ know that stands between you and solving the problem.

Know What Problem You Are Solving

The fourth behavior of great problem solvers is to Know What Problem You Are Solving. People too often assume they know the problem they're trying to solve. If it's not well-defined, you will fail.

Dig into the fundamentals

The fifth behavior of great problem solvers is to Dig Into the Fundamentals. Understand how your system or process works, and how it controls the problem. Look at the system, read the textbooks, learn the science: dig in!

Dont Rely On Experts

The sixth behavior of great problem solvers is that they Don't Rely on Experts. Experts know a lot of useful stuff, but it doesn't make them great problem solvers. Work closely with them and get their help, but don't rely on them!

Believe in a Simple Solution

The seventh behavior of great problem solvers is to Believe in a Simple Solution. Many people believe complex, expensive, time-consuming solutions are necessary to solve complex problems. But it's not true. Solve increasingly difficult problems to root cause, and you'll become a believer.

Make Fact Based Decisions

The eighth behavior of great problem solvers is to Make Fact Based Decisions. People often believe that the opinions, ideas, assumptions, and fallacies are all facts. As the old problem says, "trust but verify." Get good facts and you'll make progress.

Stay On Target

The ninth behavior of great problem solvers is to Stay on Target. Don't get distracted by new problems, and don't waste your time trying to find all potential root causes. Quickly eliminate whole branches of potential problems to narrow down your options.

Stop Guessing Trailer

About Nat

Entrepreneur, Abundant Thinker, politics junkie, and problem-solver with a burning obsession to routinely do the impossible and unleash the potential of people and systems everywhere.

Nat is a business leader, author, and champion of great problem-solving. He helps smart people make radically better decisions.

Nat believes that much more is possible than we currently think, and focuses his efforts on productively challenging the conventional limits of the status quo. He takes an approach that is hands-on, data-driven, and follows a rigorous process to break constraints.

More About Nat >
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Praise for Stop Guessing

Prof. Sanjay Sarma, MIT Mechanical Engineering

"This is a charming little book that crisply captures the discipline necessary for efficient problem solving. Reading it reminded me of bad habits I had developed myself. I recommend it to every engineer (and married person or parent!)."

Gregg Tanner, CEO, Dean Foods

"It was an easy read with not only tools and help on solving hard problems, but the psychology and behaviors that sometimes stand in our way. It reinforced my confidence that problems which seemed impossible to solve are actually solvable.

I also know it works within the multiple companies that I have had the privilege to lead."

Prof. Malcolm McCulloch, Sustainable Energy and Transport, Oxford University

“Stop Guessing presents a way of tackling hard problems. It is not a recipe book--rather it identifies a set of behaviors that are essential to be successful at cracking those problems that do not readily submit to guessing a viable solution. No, you will not work miracles--but some might think that you do! This book is now on my reading list for all my students, as it will enable them to be more effective in their future careers.”

Greg Smith, EVP Supply Chain US, WalMart Stores Inc.

"Having known Nat for 15 years, I know he possesses a deep passion for solving problems--especially those more difficult and previously unsolved. In Stop Guessing he addresses the worthy cause and power of leveraging our human capital and capability to convert from firefighting to proactive and permanent solutions by leveraging people's potential as problem solvers. He effectively addresses the inhibitors and realities needed to address mindsets to own and embrace the solution. He embraces the art of the possible."

JESSE LYN STONER, AUTHOR, FULL STEAM AHEAD

"Nat Greene offers a different way to understand your really hard problems and find simple, actionable solutions that work. I gleaned many insights from Stop Guessing and heartily recommend it!"

DAN ROSENTHAL, RADIOLOGIST, MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

"Vigorous, optimistic, and approachable. Nat shows us a robust approach that can empower people to take a confident, active role in solving problems. Readers who master this approach will save time and money, and improve their self-esteem."

Even More Praise