SGI49: Creative Problem Solving (or Design Thinking) With Randy ‘Salz’ Salzman

Have you ever felt that your organization could achieve better results if they just faced problems differently? If so, this interview is for you. Randy Salzman shares some background about thinking through and addressing problems more comprehensively, or design thinking, and how to help your organization shift to that approach. He is a co-author of Design Thinking for the Greater Good: Innovation in the Social Sector, which covers this topic in more detail. The key points covered in this podcast discussion are: • Design thinking is simply a problem-solving process • A wicked problem is most detected when you realize there is no single easy fix • Overcoming bureaucracy is often necessary to create change (even in the nonprofit sector) • Rethinking the need is often a good first step in determining the change that is needed • From a small struggling nonprofit to a regional instigator of social good • Start by bringing people together for a conversation • Work together better by valuing diversity in perspectives • Empower both instigators and analytics in problem solving by giving each their own (separate) turn • Look to other sectors to find analogies that can be applied to your challenge Visit www.socialgoodinstigators.com to find the podcast, transcript, and to sign up to receive notifications as new episodes are released (every 2-3 weeks). Episodes are also available via Stitcher, iTunes, GooglePlay, and iHeartRadio.