Successful Examples: Problem Solving Problem Solving Approaches: USA vs. Russia         Focusing on problem vs. Focusing on solution         Problem Addressed When Russia and USA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity (Ink won't flow down to the writing surface).       American-style Approach In order to solve this problem, NASA hired Andersen Consulting. It took them one decade and $12 million. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, underwater, in practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.     Russian-style Approach Russian astronauts used a pencil.   Breakthrough Thinker   Everything genius is simple. Russian proverb   Take Away Focus on the desired outcome and the whole picture, not just a problem segment. Look at the problem from different angles!   Disruptive Thinking 'Why? What If?' Questions Break Rules     Another historical example of Russian creativity and humor In the German city of Koblenz, in honor of Napoleon's advance against Russia, a fountain with the inscription was erected on the orders of the French prefect: "Year 1812 / In memory of the campaign against the Russians / Prefect Jules Dozan". When the Russian army liberated Koblenz, the Russian commandant did not demolish the monument, he ordered the first inscription to be preserved and supplemented with the following text: "Read and approved by the Russian commandant of Koblenz. January 1, 1814". The locals appreciated the subtlety of the humor, and this fountain is still one of the landmarks of the German city of Koblenz. * * * Every person is a super-creative creature. If your super-creativity is a Sleeping Beauty, kiss her! ~ Vadim Kotelnikov       Russian children write to God       Insight and Highersight Insight helps you understand what's inside the box. HIGHERsight helps you see farther and understand what's outside the box.     e-Book for self-learners PowerPoint slides for teachers / trainers   You cannot look in a new direction  by looking harder in the same direction. >>> Edward de Bono   Focus on desired results not on problems! If you focus on what you don't have, you put yourself in a box where have nothing and cannot look wider. You keep inventing a solution with your self-imposed blinders on. If you focus on what you have, you have a lot of opportunities to think outside the box and come out with a simple solution. You adopt an open-minded attitude, explore various possibilities, and can even make accidental discoveries.   Creative Problem Solving (CPS) 6 Steps Questions for CPS in Business Examples of Creative Problem Solving Smart Geography Teacher Solves a Big Problem Creatively Shuttle Diplomacy     Problem Solving 4 Levels Creative Problem Solving Disruptive Strategist 3Bs of Strategic Creativity Outside-the-Box Intelligence How a Weak Can Defeat a Strong Work Smart & Hard Ask Learning SWOT Questions