Traditionally, we approach problems as if we are bullfighters. We must slay, fight, tackle, handle, beat, eliminate, avoid, and overcome our problems. But in ancient Greece and Minoan Crete, bulls may have been worshipped, and a non-violent bull fighting, taurokathapsia, was performed. It was appreciated for its demonstrated agility, prowess, and beauty, and therefore depicted in art. It provides us a valuable model in agility when we encounter problems.
The Greeks were a people who appreciated beauty, dialogue and inquiry in the pursuit of knowledge. They sought the ethereal and enlightenment. In this culture, there was a non-violent bull fighting, taurokathapsia, that involved acrobats leaping on and over the bull, using its power to elevate the height of their maneuvers and acrobatics. It was a beautiful sport that showcased courage, strength, and agility and was thought to be some type of bull worship; it certainly worked out better for the bull!
There is a reason our mind's eye sees this type of bullfighting "beautiful" while modern bullfighting, though exciting to some, would be described as gory, violent, brutal, or barbaric. It has to do with being more human, and less animalistic. Philosophers like Plato, Kant, and Hannah Arendt (find my LinkedIn article on Arendt here) described metaphysics, and the moral and ethical pursuits of man to an enlightened and elevated state, away from animalistic behaviors; a higher calling, if you will. The requirements of addressing a bull in a taurokathapsia match, gives us an elevated framework for agile problem solving. Here are the goals of a successful engagement and how it relates to agile problem solving:
Physically and mentally prepare. To face a bull, the acrobat would prepare through practice and strength and agility training. In creative agile problem solving, this involves:
training in systems thinking, problem solving and framing, inquiry systems, engagement, ideation, and collaboration
increasing the speed of knowing through modularization--transferrable structures useful in multiple contexts to accelerate learning and information sharing
a culture of collaboration and inclusivity when developing business strategy
problem solving strategy design with self-directed, "take-charge", empowered teams
a culture that embraces all aspects of wellness
There is significant evidence thinking function can be improved through practice (See Cabrera Research Labs for more information).
Facilitate intimate contact, approaching from developing positions and angles. In the arena, this would involve familiarity with the environment, and understanding what the bull will/will not do, how it will react, what can calm/excite it, and understanding behavior that will facilitate safe close contact, and knowing options for engagement. Similarly, agile and creative problem solving arises from:
knowledge of the environment or systems of the problem
baselining behaviors
seeing and responding to changing or potential behaviors and future outcomes
intimate knowledge of the agents, dynamics of the situation, and causalities
ability to approach and engage with the problem from different angles (frames and perspectives)
Expand and amplify possible outcomes. In taurokathapsia, this would involve taking the bull by the horns to leverage further movement, i.e., allowing the bull to toss or launch the acrobat, or changing the use of hands and feet to walk or jump. Also, having an encounter that honors the bull, not destroys it. In agile and creative problem solving, this involves:
cerebral approach to team composition, stakeholders, risk, etc. to elevate benefits using systems thinking
using the problem to improve the outcome of the stakeholders, beyond where they would have been if the problem had not been introduced
turning challenges into opportunities
engagement involves novel use of resources (innovative thinking or inquiry systems, diversity, technology, etc.)
elevating value for win-win outcomes where everyone benefits something, equally if possible, or with equity in mind, designing a desirable future, inventing ways of bringing it into being. In the words of Michael C. Jackson, "Solving performance involves improving goal seeking and viability; exploring purpose; ensuring fairness; and promoting diversity. Consideration must be given to efficiency, efficacy, effectiveness, elegance, emancipation, empowerment, exception and emotion."
Elegance and emancipation may seem like odd targets for business problem solving. Perhaps elegance would be involved in design for aesthetic value in a product, and emancipation a goal for social and political systems. But in business? In fact, thinking in these terms expands the appeal of a solution, particularly when you consider elegance has everything to do with beauty, ease, and effortless movement, and emancipation, true diversity, inclusion, transparency, and freedom to speak.
For more information regarding agility and the speed of knowledge, check out our home page here, and the PLS Framework described here.
Overall problem-solving performance involves: "improving goal seeking and viability; exploring purpose; ensuring fairness; and promoting diversity. Consideration must be given to efficiency, efficacy, effectiveness, elegance, emancipation, empowerment, exception and emotion"--Michael C. Jackson, Systems Thinking: Creative Holism for Managers,
Lori G. Fisher, PMP
PLS Management Consulting
Purpose | Leap | Surge
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