Solving problems, exploiting opportunities or innovating

摘要

IN my early career, my employer expected engineers to attend an occasional session on creativity given by a well-known consultant. During one session, the consultant attempted to convince us to focus on developing opportunities rather than solving problems; to the consultant "every problem presented an opportunity." In one particular session, the group listened, with various levels of interest and discomfort, and concluded that the consultant may never have had any association with a group of engineers. The discomfort in the room was evident, not only visually, but on occasion became audible. Finally, one attendee interjected with the following; "you can focus on opportunities all you want, but at the moment, I have a problem in my department and it must be resolved within the next few hours."