Creative Boot Camp: Generate Ideas in Greater Quantity & Quality in 30 Days

Problem Solving: Baptism by Fire

The phrase baptism by fire comes from an early 19th century French expression that described a soldier’s first experience in battle. It literally means to immerse yourself completely in a new experience. As with problem solving, there is no easing into it, no baby steps, and no getting your feet wet. Solving problems with novelty and relevance requires a deep understanding of the problem. It is a step that is commonly overlooked in an effort to execute a solution, and one you may find underdefined in your process. It also requires that you remain willing to redefine the problem if it is too big or too small.

This ...