Activity Tuesday: Flip the Problem
A simple exercise that teaches one of the most powerful problem-solving skills leaders can develop.
Most teams attack problems the same way they attacked them yesterday.
They start with assumptions they don’t realize they’re making. They frame the problem the way it has always been framed. Then they wonder why the solutions look so familiar.
Flip the Problem is a deceptively simple activity that helps participants uncover hidden assumptions and challenge their default thinking patterns. Using a short scenario and a surprising solution, learners discover that sometimes the fastest path forward is not solving the problem they’ve been given, but questioning whether they’re solving the right problem in the first place.
The real power comes when participants apply the technique to actual workplace challenges. Communication breakdowns. Resistance to change. Low engagement. Process bottlenecks. Strategic planning. Suddenly, problems that seemed stuck start generating new possibilities.
If you’ve ever watched a group get trapped in the same conversation, this activity is worth adding to your toolkit.
Paid supporters can download the complete facilitator guide, leadership adaptations, debrief questions, and ready-to-run PDF for about the cost of a coffee. If these activities help you create better training, stronger discussions, and more meaningful learning experiences, consider supporting the work and becoming part of a community dedicated to making training better.
