Effective Problem-Solving Quotes

Finding a solution is the way to go.

[Smart] is an elusive concept. There's a certain sharpness, an ability to absorb new facts. To ask an insightful question. To relate to domains that may not seem connected at first. A certain creativity that allows people to be effective.

The trick is to fix the problem you have, rather than the problem you want.

How do we attack important problems? Pose the right question.

We must learn to outgrow our egos in exchange for constructive dialogue rather than debate. In addition, we must be capable of stating problems and proposing solutions clearly and succinctly, without distortion of meaning or misunderstanding, even when these solutions are radically opposed to accepted norms.

If simple, painless solutions to public problems existed, they would have been found long ago.

The expression I use: Pain + Reality = Progress. Whenever I would have a painful mistake, I started to view that as puzzles that would give me gems if I could solve the puzzle. So, it made me thoughtful - what should I do differently next time? That was the puzzle. And the gem was some principle for handling the same thing when it came along again, and then I would write it down. And by writing it down and referring to it, and also being able to show it to other people so that we could agree that that was a good way of handling that thing - that was very, very powerful.

It is only by prudence, wisdom, and dexterity that great ends are attained and obstacles overcome. Without these qualities nothing succeeds.

Empathic, emotionally intelligent work environments have a good track record of increasing creativity, improving problem solving and raising productivity.

We can't fix all problems but we must fix the ones we can

The worst possible thing ... was to lie dead in the water with any problem. Solve it, solve it quickly ... If you solved it wrong, it would come back and slap you in the face, and then you could solve it right.

If you're gonna fret, fret over something you can change. Then stop fretting and do something about it.

It is a familiar and significant saying that a problem well put is half-solved.

I suppose it's knowing when you've come up with an idea that works, when you've got it right, whatever it is.

Being reasonably direct about what you're doing, being comfortable, is the best way to do things.

The worthwhile problems are the ones you can really solve or help solve, the ones you can really contribute something to... No problem is too small or too trivial if we can really do something about it.

One of the few greatest satisfactions of this life is to handle problems efficiently and well.