by Jamie Flinchbaugh
People Solve Problems is an engaging new podcast hosted by Jamie Flinchbaugh, the author of the book with the same title. In this insightful series, Jamie interviews a diverse array of guests – from thought leaders and authors to practitioners and everyday individuals, delving into their unique perspectives on problem solving. This compact, interview-style podcast offers valuable insights into what constitutes effective problem-solving, the challenges faced in the process, and the strategies employed. It aims to equip listeners with a wealth of ideas, best practices, and approaches to enhance their problem-solving skills. Stay tuned for the upcoming episodes by clicking the follow button and signing up today.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
4/12/2023
Email Addresses
1 available
Phone Numbers
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April 16, 2025
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chuck Wisner, President of Wisner Consulting, joined Jamie Flinchbaugh on the People Solve Problems podcast to share his insights on improving human dynamics in conversations. With 25 years of experience advising Fortune 200 companies, Chuck has developed a unique approach to understanding and enhancing how people interact.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chuck introduced the concept of the "conversational bypass," a common pitfall in problem-solving and decision-making. He explained that people often jump from storytelling directly to action, skipping over the crucial middle steps of collaboration and creativity. This tendency can lead to hasty decisions and missed opportunities for innovative solutions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">To combat this issue, Chuck emphasized the importance of conscious effort in conversations. He suggested that both individuals and groups need to take responsibility for fostering more productive dialogues. For individuals, this means being willing to set aside one's ego and perspective, opening up to different viewpoints. In group settings, leaders should encourage taking extra time to hear all perspectives without judgment or bickering.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chuck shared four key elements to consider in conversations: desires and goals, concerns about the future, authority issues, and standards. By examining these aspects, people can better understand the thinking behind their perspectives and share them more effectively with others.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The discussion then turned to the importance of learning in conversations. Chuck stressed that while making decisions is often the perceived goal, the real product of these interactions is the learning that occurs. He advised that to ensure learning is at the center of a conversation, individuals must set aside their judgments and private conversations to truly listen and absorb others' positions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chuck also explored the role of self-awareness in changing conversational patterns. He shared a personal anecdote about recognizing and altering his own trigger responses with his children, illustrating how awareness can lead to positive change in communication habits.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The conversation shifted to creativity and intuition, with Chuck highlighting the importance of embracing the right side of the brain in problem-solving. He encouraged listeners to give themselves permission to dream and wonder about possibilities, moving away from resignation and towards openness.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Chuck also discussed his journey in writing his book, "The Art of Conscious Conversations: Transforming How We Talk, Listen, and Interact." He revealed how the process helped him overcome his own limiting beliefs about his writing abilities and provided a structure for connecting various communication tools and concepts.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For those interested in learning more about Chuck's work and insights, his website can be found at <a href="chuckwisner.com">chuckwisner.com</a>, and his book is available at</span><a href="https://a.co/d/5dw54us"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">https://a.co/d/5dw54us</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. You can also connect with Chuck on LinkedIn at</span><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-wisner/"> <span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-wisner/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
April 2, 2025
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brian DeVries, Senior Advisor at Lean Fox Solutions, joined Jamie Flinchbaugh on the People Solve Problems podcast to share his insights on problem-solving methodologies and leadership. Brian recently authored a children's book, "The Big Thinking of a Small Knight," which teaches leadership and continuous improvement principles through storytelling.</span></p> <p>Brian explained his preferred problem-solving approach, the nine-box methodology, which begins with what he calls a "rally cry" - a clear, concise problem statement that teams can consistently return to throughout the process. He shared a compelling story about a meeting where team members wrote down their understanding of the problem they were trying to solve, only to discover that no two descriptions matched. This experience reinforced the importance of having a unified understanding of the problem at hand.</p> <p>The conversation explored the significance of breaking down complex problems into manageable pieces. Brian described how he looks for specific triggers that indicate when a problem needs to be broken down, such as when teams struggle with measuring improvements or when the path forward isn't clear. He drew parallels to personal health goals, where large objectives are achieved through smaller, actionable daily steps.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the most powerful moments Brian shared was from his work with a nonprofit organization, where a program participant remarked, "I didn't know my mind could think about a problem that way." This experience highlighted the transformative power of teaching problem-solving skills and continues to inspire his work today.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Brian emphasized the crucial role of psychological safety in creating an effective problem-solving culture. He shared a personal story from his early days as a manufacturing supervisor, where showing vulnerability and admitting his lack of knowledge to his team helped build trust and led to significant improvements over time. This approach exemplifies his belief that leaders should be intentional about creating an environment where it's safe to make mistakes and learn from them.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Throughout the conversation, Brian demonstrated his passion for helping others develop their problem-solving capabilities and creating environments where people feel empowered to contribute their ideas. His approach combines structured methodologies with human-centered leadership principles.</span></p> <p>To learn more about Brian's work and perspectives, visit his websites at <a href="https://www.devriesii.com/">https://www.devriesii.com/</a> and <a href="https://leanfoxsolutions.com/">https://leanfoxsolutions.com/</a>, connect with him on <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/spreadtheleanlove/">LinkedIn </a></p> <p><br><span style="font-weight: 400;">Be sure to check out his children's book at </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Big-Thinking-Small-Knight/dp/B0DW1LB3HZ/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">https://www.amazon.com/Big-Thinking-Small-Knight/dp/B0DW1LB3HZ/</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
March 19, 2025
<p>Liz Guthridge, Managing Director of Connect Consulting Group, joined Jamie Flinchbaugh on the People Solve Problems podcast to share her expertise on leadership development and organizational change. As a leadership coach who combines neuroscience and vertical stage development, Liz works with both individuals and organizations to foster growth and cultural transformation.</p> <p>When discussing ideation and brainstorming, Liz challenged the common practice of gathering people around a conference table to throw ideas at each other. She explained that research shows this approach isn't particularly effective. Instead, she advocated for giving people time to think independently and leverage their unconscious mind. According to her, our best ideas often come during activities like showering, cooking, or walking when our minds are free to make unexpected connections.</p> <p>Liz emphasized the importance of providing autonomy in the ideation process, allowing people to generate ideas when and where they work best. This approach particularly benefits introverts who might feel overwhelmed in traditional group brainstorming sessions. While some might worry this takes too long, Liz pointed out that giving people 36-72 hours to develop ideas independently can actually lead to more creative solutions than rushing the process.</p> <p>The conversation turned to the critical role of a learning mindset in problem-solving. Liz referenced Carol Dweck's work on growth mindset, explaining how this approach aligns well with continuous improvement principles. She stressed the importance of creating a culture where questioning the status quo is encouraged and curiosity is celebrated. Leaders can reinforce this by recognizing and praising those who demonstrate these behaviors.</p> <p>Liz shared valuable insights about the connection between physical health and leadership performance. Drawing from her background in brain-based coaching and neuroplasticity, she emphasized how sleep, movement, and diet significantly impact both work and life performance. She advocated for leaders to block time on their calendars for reflection and thinking, noting that many of her coaching clients particularly value having this dedicated space to process ideas.</p> <p>In her coaching practice, Liz takes a highly individualized approach, helping leaders align their actions with their values and working backward from their vision of their ideal selves. She recommends focusing on no more than three goals at a time to ensure meaningful progress.</p> <p>Throughout the conversation, Liz demonstrated her commitment to helping leaders develop self-awareness and lead themselves effectively, recognizing that this forms the foundation for successfully leading others.</p> <p>To learn more about Liz Guthridge's work in leadership development and organizational change, visit <a href="http://www.connectconsultinggroup.com">www.connectconsultinggroup.com </a>and her blog at <a href="http://www.connectconsultinggroup.com/blog">www.connectconsultinggroup.com/blog</a>, or connect with her on <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/lizguthridge.">LinkedIn</a></p>
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