Skill #30 Transform the Negative Problem Cause into a Positive Effect Even if the cause and effect of a problem both seem unassailable, it does not mean that nothing can be done. It is possible that the whole problem itself can be flipped and turned to advantage. …

Skill #29 Eliminate the Problem Cause Sometimes the problem is not only known but it is also exposed and susceptible to attack. This introduces an appealing possibility — removing it altogether. When a problem is an open target, the best and, prospectively, most permanent innovative strategy is to ‘eliminate’ it Now You See It … As…

Skill #28 Prevent the Problem Cause from Having the Undesired Effect The usual trajectory followed by a problem is that once its cause is activated, that cause proceeds to deliver a negative effect. Often it is not possible to do much about the cause. …

Skill #27 Avoid the Undesired Effect of a Problem Cause Not all problems must be confronted for the goal that is being blocked to be achieved. There may be reasons why the problem cannot be tackled directly. If so, the cause of the problem and its detrimental effect is still in play. …

Skill #26 Tackle Problems with a Multi-Pronged Approach Reducing a problem to a few simple words — the crux or nucleus of the problem — clarifies the innovative task in front of us. This presents a very clear target and allows unencumbered consideration of the five problem-solving choices that are available. The strategies are necessarily aggressive, each being…

Skill #25 See the Problem as the Pathway The negative human attitude to problems encourages us to turn our backs on them rather than seeing them as a source of opportunity. This erodes the possibilities for personal innovating because invariably innovative solutions are often hidden behind ‘undesirable’ problems. …

Skill #24 Integrate Resources to Compel the Desired Things Result Ensuring that ‘Things’ (tangible objects or concepts) can be changed to deliver a better result than their design intended can be difficult. Achieving such improvement in performance often involves considerable expense that may be prohibitive. …

Skill #23: Integrate Resources to Compel the Desired People Result Compelling people to behave in some desired manner can be difficult and is potentially offensive if they are uninterested or are opposed to such behavior. The innovative way to tackle this challenge is to blend what you want them to do with what those people are predisposed to do anyway…

Skill #22: Link Resources to Encourage the Desired People Result Encouraging people to behave in some desired manner usually requires a lot of effort, especially if they are uninterested or worse, are opposed to such behavior. …