September 4, 2024

What If The Problem Is Part Of The Solution

In today’s fast-paced business environment, innovation is often equated with groundbreaking technologies or disruptive business models. However, as the Harvard Business Review article “Find Innovation Where You Least Expect It” points out, some of the most effective solutions are often hidden in plain sight. These overlooked solutions can be as powerful, if not more so, than the flashy innovations that grab headlines. The challenge lies in recognizing them, often requiring overcoming cognitive biases that can cloud our judgment.

This article talks about the bias that the iceberg that the Titanic hit was the problem.  What if they had ferried boats to the iceberg, allowing them to save more than 705 of the 2,200 passengers that were on board?  While we don’t know if it would have worked, 60 years earlier a similar situation occurred that allowed them to save 127 out of 176 passengers by climbing aboard an ice floe. 

One key reason why organizations and individuals overlook simple, elegant solutions is due to cognitive biases—systematic patterns of deviation from rationality in judgment. Among these, the complexity bias stands out. Complexity bias is the tendency to favor complex solutions over simple ones, often under the mistaken belief that if a solution is simple, it must be inferior. This bias can lead teams to invest time and resources into developing sophisticated solutions when a more straightforward approach might have been equally or more effective.

For example, consider the story of a major airline grappling with the issue of passenger delays caused by slow baggage handling. Initially, the company considered implementing an expensive and complex automated baggage handling system. However, a more careful analysis revealed that the root of the problem was not the speed of baggage handling itself, but the fact that passengers had to wait longer for their bags than they did for their flights. By simply moving the baggage claim area farther away from the gates, the airline increased the time passengers spent walking to collect their luggage, thereby reducing their perceived wait time without investing in costly technology. This solution was simple, effective, and elegantly addressed the real problem at hand.

Organizations often fall into the trap of “we’ve always done it this way”

Another cognitive bias that can cause us to overlook simple solutions is the status quo bias. This bias makes us prefer things to stay the same, even when change could lead to better outcomes. Organizations often fall into the trap of “we’ve always done it this way,” which can prevent them from considering alternative approaches. In contrast, innovative companies often encourage a culture of questioning assumptions and rethinking established processes, leading to the discovery of more efficient solutions.

Remaining open to simpler, more effective solutions requires a mindset shift

The sunk cost fallacy is another cognitive bias that can prevent us from recognizing overlooked solutions. This bias occurs when we continue investing in a project or solution simply because we have already invested a significant amount of time, money, or resources into it, even if it is not yielding the desired results. Letting go of these sunk costs and remaining open to simpler, more effective solutions requires a mindset shift, but it can unlock significant value for organizations.

Leaders must cultivate an environment that encourages curiosity, openness, and critical thinking to harness the power of overlooked solutions. This means fostering a culture where team members feel comfortable challenging assumptions and proposing unconventional ideas. It also requires training teams to recognize and mitigate cognitive biases, such as complexity bias, status quo bias, and the sunk cost fallacy.

Moreover, leaders should create opportunities for cross-functional collaboration, as diverse teams are more likely to approach problems from different angles and uncover simple, elegant solutions that might otherwise be missed. Encouraging employees to step back and look at the big picture rather than getting bogged down in the details can also help identify overlooked solutions.

In conclusion, while the allure of complex, cutting-edge innovation is strong, organizations should not underestimate the power of often-overlooked solutions. By being aware of cognitive biases and fostering a culture of curiosity and openness, businesses can unlock the full potential of these simple yet powerful innovations, driving significant value and competitive advantage.