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The Problem Solving Journey
By Christopher W. Hoenig
Perseus Pr, 2000, 283 pp.
Reviewed by Gordon Bruce
The Problem Solving Journey initiates a thoughtful and
clear exploration for anyone seeking better ways to evolve and nurture
his or her own skills. At first glance, Hoenig's book may seem complex;
yet, once readers comprehend its underlying structure and the flexible
connections it builds, they may wonder why they never perceived
problems in this way before. Indeed, there is a reason. Because
of the immediate effect a problem creates, we often insulate ourselves
and neglect to attack its root cause. Attempting to resolve a problem
in this way often creates new problems.
Hoenig's book helps eliminate our myopic restraints by enhancing
our field of view, which ultimately changes our perception of problems
and thus the way we go about resolving them. I wish I had learned
this as a kid! However, just reading the book will not suffice to
improve one's problem-solving skills; that takes experience. Testing
Hoenig's suggestions—intangible as they are—is required.
This is not a quick fix, but an evolutionary approach.
The Problem Solving Journey is a book you can use, with
a little foresight, to help you resolve almost any problem in personal
life, as well as in business matters, for turning problems into
opportunities. In addition to enhancing the scope for problem solving,
Hoenig seeks to reinforce the processes involved through personal
vignettes that remind us that the same abilities—though they
are often latent—lie within us. He thinks of these processes
as "problem-solving personalities"—personas of the innovator,
discoverer, communicator, playmaker, creator, and performer inside
us.
Hoenig views problems as challenges and great journeys, and it
is his adventurer's mindset that offers an articulate and modern
remedy to the Peter Principle that quietly resides in all of us.
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