Problem Solving For Every Problem

How to find efficient solutions for a stress-free life — even if your inbox is in the five digits and your brain feels fried.

Do you dread the moment you realize you've made a bad decision — that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach when you have to defend a choice in front of a group? Are you the go-to person on your team, drowning in unread Slack notifications and wondering, "what do I do now?" Deep down, you know you're actually a good problem solver — so why does it feel this hard?

A 1974 MIT study, "Cognitive Style & the Problem-Solving Process: An Experiment" by Peter G.W. Keen, found that 60–70% of middle-level managers had a specific cognitive style for decision-making, and were most productive when solving problems that matched it. In other words, the stress and overwhelm you feel is completely normal — you may just be stuck using the wrong style for you.

In this book, you will discover:

• The #1 mindset shift — that helps you easily break down any new problem.
• The real reason you dread solving problems in teams — and how to stop dreading it.
• Why being a devil's advocate is a strength — not the annoying habit you think it is.
• How to solve problems like Einstein — and Genghis Khan's secret to building trustworthy, effective teams.
• 5 problem-solving myths — that have been blocking you from thinking outside the box.
• A clear 7-step method — for an efficient cost-benefit analysis, every time.
• Why being "logical" can hold you back — from finding the actual best solution.

Even if you've never considered yourself a "systems thinker." Even if your team dynamics feel more like chaos than collaboration. Even if you've read problem-solving books before that never stuck — each chapter here ends with action steps for home and the office.

Good problem-solving skills are not something you're born with — they're something you can master.