building relationships and offering advice: understanding the role of problem-solving style
DESCRIPTION
Whenever a group engages in problem solving, there are always two problems: “Problem A, the original (main) problem over which the group has formed, and Problem B, the added (subsidiary) problem – that of managing each other effectively” (Kirton, 1976, p. 6). Jablokow (2008) elaborates on this point by saying: In order to collaborate, we must first understand the key differences and similarities that exist between us, both as individuals and as groups. Otherwise, our ability to match our problem-solving resources (i.e. ourselves) to the problems we face will be compromised, preventing us from solving all the very problems for which our teams are formed. (p. 937) According to Kirton (1976, 2003), one of the most critical components of problem-solving is the resolution of cognitive gap. “Strictly speaking, cognitive gap is defined as all cognitive differences between a lone individual and the problem, or between each individual in a team and the problem plus each individual and every other member of that team” (Jablokow, 2008, p. 940).TRANSCRIPT
Building Relationships and Offering Advice:
Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
Presented byDr. Eric Kaufman
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
Problem-Solving in Action
Prepare a campus map that highlights the most important locations for a prospective CALS student to visit
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
Show Us Your Map!
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
Discussion
How did you view the problem?How did you develop your plan
of action?How was your approach
different from others?
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
Paradox of Structure
Structure is both enabling and limiting at the same time
Our preference for how much structure is based heavily on our cognitive style (a personality trait)
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Theory In problem solving…All people are creative, but in different
stylesDifferences affect how people work
togetherUnderstanding differences of style is
critical to preventing misattribution to level
Both adaptors and innovators are needed to solve complex problems
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
EinsteinEdison
More adaptive More innovative
Style Preferences in Science
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
More Adaptive
More Innovativ
e
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
More Adaptive (Do Better)are often seen as
More Innovative (Do Different)are often seen as
Perceptions of Differences
Obstructionist
Narrow-minded
Timid, risk-averse
Traditional, conventional
Loose cannon
Reckless, too risky
Blue sky
Outside the box
Progressive
Unsound, impractical
Compliant, cautious
Detailed, thorough, systematic
Pro
ble
m-S
olv
ing
S
tyle
– K
irton
’s (1
976) A
-I Th
oery
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
Where do you fall on the continuum?
Agents of Chan
More AdaptiveAccept and work within the problem definition
Doing things better
More InnovativeChallenges the structure in order to solve the problem
Doing things differently
95 114 76 124 137 66 53
Evolution Revolution
Source: Adapted from Childress (2009)
146 45
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
A 20-point style gap between individuals may inhibit:CommunicationWorking togetherTrust
Bridgers help facilitate interaction
Where’s the Middle Ground?
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
Forms of Cognitive Gap (Jablokow, 2008)
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
When am I a Bridger?
C
B
A
95 113 77 131 145 59 45
D
95 113 77 131 145 59 45
95 113 77 131 145 59 45
95 113 77 131 145 59 45
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR WORKING WITH PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES?
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS FOR YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS?
Building Relationships and Offering Advice: Understanding the Role of Problem-Solving Style
QUESTIONS/COMMENTS?