June 19, 2016 Question: Given that face-to-face communication is the most important activity in working successfully with wicked problems at all levels – in relationships, teams, organizations, and society – what is the most important communication skill to insure positive results? Answer: The most important communication skill for working with wicked problems… Read More »
May 31, 2016 While some wicked problems involve one person struggling with a personal decision or crisis (“Should I go to medical school or join the Marines?” “Should I marry Fred or Robert?” “Should I travel the world for a year before beginning my Freshman term?”), most wicked problems involve other people: partners or… Read More »
May 22, 2016 Introduction: Among the most difficult problems that scientists, engineers and other STEM personnel face are Nested Problems: a technical or tame problem that seems straight forward enough but is actually nested within the larger social and cultural situation – a tame problem in the middle of a wicked… Read More »
May 8, 2016 When grappling with wicked problems: Avoid Solve Define Solution Eliminate Fix Two Wicked Problems Any hope for success in the coming decades is closely tied to success in managing two difficult and related problems: First, learning what needs to be learned, learning it quickly and efficiently, and then using it well;… Read More »
April 10, 2016 During the late 1960’s, at the height of the Vietnam War, President Lyndon Baines Johnson found himself with a seemingly intractable problem. Having stated unequivocally that he would not be the first American president to lose a war, he seemed that he was to do just that. Everything that he tried… Read More »
March 26, 2016 A Skill for Wicked Problems: The Existence of Undiscussables What Elephant? In 1935 singer and comedian Jimmy Durante starred in the Billy Rose Broadway musical Jumbo. In one scene, Durante crosses the stage leading a huge elephant. “What are you doing with that elephant,” asks a policeman. Durante’s… Read More »
February 29, 2016 A Skill for Wicked Problems: Create problems by extracting them from “messes” and making them Actionable. A man holding an envelope in his hand approached J. P. Morgan, at the time the world’s richest man, and said: “Sir, I have here a formula that is guaranteed to bring success to… Read More »
February 6, 2016 What is the eternal and ultimate problem of a free society? It is the problem of the individual who thinks that one man [or woman] cannot possibility make a difference in the destiny of that society. Norman Cousins John Woolman’s Story (1720-1772) Radio Announcer: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome… Read More »
January 30, 2016 Even before the time Plato, the work of philosophers has been to ask the Great Questions: What is Truth? Who should rule? What is Justice? Do we have free will? What is the meaning of life? How should we organize society so that everyone benefits? And though all agree that there… Read More »
January 11, 2015 Nonpersons unperson persons. William Gass Real persons reperson unpersons. Joseph Bentley “You have cancer” are the first words that Vivian Bearing hears from her oncologist, Dr. Harvey Kelekian. “It was something of a shock” she… Read More »