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Beyond Band-Aids: How to Solve Problems Once Instead of Forever
Root cause analysis is just one part of collaborative problem-solving. The next time you see a recurring issue, ask: Have we taken enough time to understand what's really driving this? Or are we just mopping up oil without finding the leak?

Russ Powell
Jul 235 min read
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Evidence Before Action: Why the Best Problem-Solvers Begin with Data
Rushing to fix problems without good data leads to costly mistakes. Take a scientist's approach: "I don't know—let's find out!"

Russ Powell
May 76 min read
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One Small Step, One Giant Leap: The Power of Integrity in the Pursuit of Winning
The key is to integrate winning and success, with a heightened emphasis on acting with integrity.

Russ Powell
Mar 96 min read
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Avoiding the Sucker's Choice: There's Almost Always a Third Option
Leaders often feel trapped between two bad options, where both choices seem to sacrifice something vital. Welcome to the sucker's choice.

Russ Powell
Jan 66 min read
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From Blame to Accountability: How to Recognize and Escape from the Victim Trap
Escaping the blame-game unleashes untapped potential. Improve problem-solving by shifting your focus from finger-pointing to accountability.

Russ Powell
Nov 22, 20244 min read
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The Knower Trap: How Certainty Sabotages Problem-Solving
In this post, I explore how the "knower trap" hinders problem-solving and offer strategies for recognizing and getting out of it.

Russ Powell
Jul 27, 20246 min read
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Becoming a Better Forecaster: Insights from the Pros
In a world filled with uncertainty, the ability to make accurate predictions is a valuable skill. What do superforecasters have to teach us?

Russ Powell
Jul 20, 20244 min read
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A Surprising Secret: How High-Performing Teams Transform Conflict Into a Competitive Edge
HPTs embrace an inherent paradox—that creation and innovation is often impossible without some friction.

Russ Powell
Jul 6, 20243 min read
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The S-Loop Problem-Solving Framework: A Primer for Business Leaders
The S-Loop is a cyclical, four-stage problem-solving framework that can help you tackle complex problems in human systems.

Russ Powell
Jul 2, 20247 min read
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Cowboys, Pit Crews, Doctors and Checklists – A Physician's Take on Systems-Thinking
In a TED video, Atul Gawande summarizes what we do at RPC every day—we help managers learn to analyze and solve problems in human systems.

Russ Powell
Jan 24, 20233 min read
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If you pit a good performer against a bad system, the system will win every time
Here's a model of behavioral influence that's useful for any leader invested in helping people and teams perform better.

Russ Powell
Oct 4, 20223 min read
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Three Steps for Having Better Difficult Conversations
To have productive difficult conversations take the perspective of the other, think about what you truly want, and don't take it personally.

Russ Powell
Jun 27, 20222 min read
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Data-Poor Conversations Lead to Poor Problem-Solving.
A problem-solving must: ensure the data collected is accurate and comprehensive before discussing solutions.

Russ Powell
Feb 4, 20221 min read
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If ya gotta eat a frog, why sit around and look at it all day?
A few thoughts on two timeless principles for managing time and tasks.

Russ Powell
Jan 26, 20228 min read
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