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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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Five Strategies to Help Startup Leaders Focus on What Matters Most
Effective leaders focus where they have a comparative advantage, delegate other tasks, and prioritize developing their future leaders.

Russ Powell
Dec 17, 20243 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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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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Six Rules of Training Every Manager Should Know
Skill alone is not enough to guarantee performance. You must also have opportunity to perform, self-efficacy, and a supportive environment.

Russ Powell
Oct 18, 20225 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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Systems Thinking and the Juggling Girls of Berlin
A troupe of jugglers from Berlin helps us apply a simple, powerful framework for thinking about and diagnosing problems in human systems.

Russ Powell
Feb 23, 20225 min read
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To Get Ahead, You Need Both Ambition and Humility
Balance is a vital skill in leadership and in life - specifically the use of confidence and humility.

Russ Powell
Feb 5, 20221 min read
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