This Week with Introspective
The definition of Resolver from the Strengths Profile:
You love solving problems. The more complicated the problem, the better.
You will always go the extra mile to find a solution, getting to the root of the problem.
You're never beaten by a problem, but the problems are often beaten by you.
Questions to help you bring this strength to life:
What's a complex problem in your life right now that deserves more of your attention?
Where are you being called to lean into a challenge instead of stepping back from it?
What's a challenge you've faced that felt impossible at first — and how did you find your way through it?
Resources of the Week
Podcast
How to master the seven-step problem-solving process
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In this episode of the McKinsey Podcast, Simon London speaks with Charles Conn, CEO of venture-capital firm Oxford Sciences Innovation, and McKinsey senior partner Hugo Sarrazin about the complexities of different problem-solving strategies.
By McKinsey
Article
Overview of the Problem-Solving Mental Process
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Problem-solving is a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing, and solving problems. The ultimate goal of problem-solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the issue.
By Kendra Cherry, MSEd
Book
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In his mega bestseller, Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman, world-famous psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think.
By Daniel Kahneman
Strength Story: Michele
The Strength of Resolver
Michele's approach to problems is to slow down and get curious rather than react. Whether she's navigating a tough moment with her daughter at school or stepping into a new leadership role at work, her instinct is the same — ask questions, gather perspectives, and understand what's really going on before jumping to a solution. She's also learned that her Resolver strength works best when paired with her ability to build relationships, reaching beyond her immediate circle to bring in input and insight. Her advice: stay curious, keep asking questions, and remember you don't have to figure it out alone.
Fact of the Week
People who take time to define and analyze problems before acting make better decisions. Research from Harvard Business School and related decision-making studies shows that structured problem-solving—clarifying the issue, gathering information, and evaluating options—leads to higher-quality outcomes than quick, intuitive responses.
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