The most valuable professionals and leaders aren’t just smart – they consistently demonstrate an ability to solve complex problems. 

After spending over a decade in strategy consulting and advising hundreds of business leaders, I’ve noticed that traditional “intelligence” or subject matter expertise isn’t what sets great problem solvers apart.

Truly effective problem solvers exhibit specific traits that enable them to tackle challenges systematically and creatively. 

In other articles, I’ve covered problem-solving approaches and processes. 

Here, I’ll explore the characteristics and mindsets that great problem solvers have in common: 

  • curiosity and open-mindedness
  • analytical thinking
  • creativity and lateral thinking
  • resilience and adaptability
  • collaborative mindset
  • systems thinking
  • A bias for action

1. Curiosity and Open-mindedness

The best problem solvers share an insatiable curiosity about how things work. They must know why things are the way they are and how to potentially fix them. These people are obsessed with diagnosing root causes and not trusting the conventional wisdom of others. They let their curiosity guide them, even if it means questioning those in power. 

I saw this first-hand when working with a consumer tech company struggling with user engagement. While most team members focused on obvious metrics like app usage and click-through rates, one analyst kept asking about user behaviors outside the app. Her questions about how people were using competing products and when they weren’t using our client’s app led to a breakthrough insight: users weren’t disengaged because of the product’s features, but because of how the app fit (or didn’t fit) into their daily routines. This discovery completely reframed the problem and led to a more effective solution.

This trait extends beyond just asking questions. Truly curious problem solvers:

  • Resist jumping to conclusions, even when the answer seems obvious
  • Actively seek out contradictory evidence to test their assumptions
  • Show genuine interest in understanding different perspectives
  • Approach familiar problems with fresh eyes

To help drive curiosity, at McKinsey, they try to turn any hypothesis into a question and then split teams into opposing camps that argue for the “right” answer. In these, “thesis/antithesis, or red team/blue team, sessions,” they:

divide a group into opposing teams that argue against the early answers—typically, more traditional conclusions that are more likely to come from a conventional pattern. Why is this solution better? Why not that one? We’ve found that better results come from embracing uncertainty.

Good problem solvers thrive in these sessions. Because they know that by remaining open to new ideas and possibilities, better answers usually emerge.

2. Analytical Thinking

Analytical thinking is the ability to break down complex issues into manageable components and identify patterns in data. It is essential for turning curiosity into actionable insights. 

There is a reason that all consulting firms focus on analytical thinking in their recruiting process. Analytical mindsets allow problem solvers to navigate through complexity and arrive at data-driven solutions as efficiently as possible.

Whether you’re evaluating market entry opportunities, diagnosing falling sales, optimizing operations, or developing a new product strategy, you’ll need to:

  • Break down complex problems into manageable components
  • Identify patterns and relationships in seemingly unrelated data
  • Question the quality and completeness of data
  • Draw insights from both quantitative and qualitative information
  • Balance detail with big-picture thinking

The best analytical thinkers don’t just crunch numbers – they know how to combine different types of analyses to build compelling arguments. On any given day, you might find yourself analyzing customer segments, building financial models, evaluating operational metrics, or synthesizing market research. The key is knowing which analytical tools to use when, and how to translate data into actionable insights.

3. Creativity and Lateral Thinking

While analytical skills help understand problems, creativity is what unlocks breakthrough solutions. 

Blending insight and creativity often leads to breakthrough solutions that may not be apparent through conventional thinking alone. The best problem solvers can generate innovative solutions by thinking outside the box and connecting seemingly unrelated ideas.

Consider Airbnb’s creative solution to their early growth challenges. When they noticed their listings weren’t getting much traction, they could have followed the conventional path of increasing advertising spend. Instead, they identified that poor listing photos were hurting conversion rates. Their creative solution? They borrowed cameras and went door-to-door in New York, taking professional photos of listings themselves. This seemingly simple idea not only doubled their revenue in their target market but led to the development of a professional photography program that became a key differentiator for their platform.

Creative problem solvers consistently:

  • Generate multiple potential solutions rather than fixating on one
  • Draw inspiration from different industries and contexts
  • Challenge conventional wisdom and “the way things have always been done”
  • Combine existing ideas in novel ways
  • Use analogies and metaphors to reframe problems

Creativity alone isn’t enough – the best problem solvers know how to persist when their initial creative solutions don’t work out.

4. Resilience and Adaptability

Problem-solving is rarely a linear process. It requires resilience in the face of setbacks and the flexibility to adjust course based on new information. 

Consider how Netflix has demonstrated resilience and adaptability throughout its history. When faced with the rise of streaming technology that threatened their DVD-by-mail business, they didn’t just adapt their delivery method – they completely transformed their business model. They pivoted to streaming, then evolved again to become a content producer. Each transition required both resilience to weather significant challenges and the adaptability to embrace new ways of creating value.

Resilient problem solvers demonstrate these key attributes:

  • View setbacks as learning opportunities rather than failures
  • Remain calm and focused when faced with unexpected challenges
  • Adjust their approach based on new information
  • Maintain perspective during difficult situations
  • Stay committed to finding solutions even when initial attempts fail

5. Collaborative Mindset

Complex problems rarely have simple solutions, and they’re seldom solved by individuals working alone. The best problem solvers recognize the value of diverse perspectives and know how to leverage collective expertise.

Consider any major business transformation – whether it’s developing a new product, entering a new market, or restructuring an organization. Success depends on bringing together different viewpoints and expertise. Engineers need to work with designers and finance teams with operations, and everyone needs to understand the customer perspective.

Strong collaborators consistently:

  • Actively seek diverse perspectives
  • Listen effectively and build on others’ ideas
  • Share information and insights openly
  • Navigate disagreements constructively
  • Build alignment around solutions
  • Give credit to others’ contributions

Importantly, effective collaboration isn’t just about agreement – it requires constructive disagreement. At McKinsey, they call this an “obligation to dissent.” But while leaders often say they are open to disagreement, their reactions tell a different story. As several McKinsey consultants write, “…their reactions often change when they actually get some. They may feel defensive. They may question their own judgment. They may resent having to take time to revisit the decision-making process.”

But disagreement or dissent is not a silver bullet. Many people struggle to give high-quality dissent. Good problem solvers know how to deal with this. At Amazon, for example, they have a principle called “disagree and commit” which means you can actually disagree but if the team decides its the right direction you move on and look to support the effort. 

6. Systems Thinking

The ability to see the bigger picture – understanding how different elements interconnect and influence each other – is crucial for effective problem-solving. Systems thinkers recognize that most significant problems don’t exist in isolation.

Take climate change as an example of complex systems at work. When Tesla entered the automotive market, they understood that selling electric vehicles alone wouldn’t drive adoption. They had to think systematically about the entire transportation ecosystem: charging infrastructure, battery technology, consumer perceptions, and even energy generation. Their success came from addressing the system as a whole, not just one component.

Effective systems thinkers consistently:

  • Consider second and third-order effects of potential solutions
  • Identify connections between seemingly unrelated factors
  • Think about long-term implications, not just quick fixes
  • Recognize patterns and feedback loops
  • Balance competing priorities across different parts of a system

Systems-based perspectives help ensure that solutions are sustainable and don’t create new problems while solving existing ones.

7. Bias for Action

While thorough analysis and systems thinking are crucial, effective problem solvers know when to move from analysis to action. And sometimes that means making decisions with imperfect information. 

Amazon exemplifies this trait through their “Day 1” philosophy. Jeff Bezos has consistently emphasized the importance of making high-quality decisions quickly, even with incomplete information. Their ability to rapidly test new ideas – from Prime delivery to AWS – demonstrates how a bias for action, combined with careful analysis, can lead to breakthrough innovations.

Action-oriented problem solvers:

  • Balance analysis with the need to move forward
  • Break large solutions into testable components
  • Learn and adjust based on real-world feedback
  • Take calculated risks when appropriate
  • Maintain momentum while remaining thoughtful

Bonus: The World is Always Changing, We Need Imagination

In her book about Marvin Bower, the spiritual godfather of McKinsey, Elizabeth Haas Edersheim shared a powerful quote about Bower’s perspective on problem-solving:

Einstein said that imagination was more important than knowledge. Today’s problems cannot be solved by thinking the way we thought when we created them. Coming from Einstein that’s quite a statement. Imagination is an important feature of the consultant. If he can’t imagine, there’s no use analyzing. And I’m afraid that we spend too much time analyzing and not enough on imagination. We can’t really shape things without imagination.

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