3C+S-E: The Strategic Business Partner’s Problem-Solving Formula
A thinking formula to tackle complexity.
Strong problem-solving is one of the core skills used by learning and talent development professionals working as Strategic Business Partners (SBPs). In my experience, the best ones are not just good at solving problems, they are intentional about how they think through them.
Over the years, I have spent a lot of time reflecting on problem-solving. Maybe it comes from working in complex organizations, collaborating with a wide range of personalities, or leading teams toward ambitious goals. Or maybe it is simply because problems are constant and often unpredictable given the pace of change and the complexity of human dynamics.
Whatever the reason, I have found myself consistently relying on a specific set of thinking patterns. Four, to be exact.
When I am facing a tough situation, whether it is a problem that feels unsolvable or a challenging team dynamic, I run through a mental checklist. It has become a kind of formula that helps me approach complexity with more clarity and confidence.
Here’s the formula: 3C+S-E = Solution
Or, in plain terms:
Critical + Creative + Collaborative + Systems Thinking – Emotion
Let’s break it down.
Start by Acknowledging Emotion
I’m going to dive into these a bit out of order but trust me, that’s because they break down a bit more easily if we start at the end with the minus E (Emotion).
Poor decision-making often happens when emotion takes the lead. This is due to the part of the brain where emotion originates. It’s almost like we have two brains. One for emotion and one for logic and they are often in competition. When logic is in charge, we are thoughtful, intentional, and able to consider multiple factors. When emotion takes over, outcomes become far less predictable.
I’m not saying that emotion is the enemy. It is part of being human and can be a useful data point in our problem-solving process. But it should not be in the driver’s seat.
In this formula, we identify and acknowledge emotion as one data point, but we do not let it lead the way.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is about understanding the current reality in an objective and thorough way. It asks questions like:
How did we get to this point? What factors contributed to the situation?
Why might this be happening? What’s the reason(s) we are here now?
What assumptions are we making?
What are the alternate or different sides to this story? What are the various perspectives?
Critical thinking explores how we got here, the different perspectives (there is always more than one perspective), and assumptions. It comes from a place of curiosity, a desire to understand the full picture, and dreams of a better outcome. It aims to fully understand the problem before jumping to solutions. It considers facts, context, and multiple viewpoints without judgment.
Creative Thinking
Creative thinking pushes us beyond the obvious.
It recognizes that many problems will not be solved with the same approaches that created them. Thinking creatively means looking for alternatives, possibly those that have never been used or thought of previously. It encourages us to explore new angles, combine or rearrange ideas, and challenge conventional thinking.
Creative thinking often involves experimentation with questions or phrases like:
What if we approached this differently?
How else might we achieve the desired outcome?
What are we missing? What are we not considering?
This might sound wacky, but…
Collaborative Thinking
When we combine our thoughts with those of others, the results can be even more powerful, if we approach it correctly. Collaborative thinking brings in diverse perspectives to strengthen both understanding and ideation. The goal is to create something better than any one person could develop alone.
For collaborative thinking to work well, it requires:
Curiosity without judgment
Bringing all perspectives, skills, and expertise into the conversation
Assuming positive intent
Agreement on the problem and the desired outcome
Systems Thinking
Systems thinking takes a broader view.
It recognizes that no problem exists in isolation. Every issue, decision, or request sits within a larger organizational system, and those connections impact each other.
Systems thinking folds in nicely with critical and collaborative thinking because it forces us to look outside of our own bubble. It means we ask things like:
How does this fit into the bigger picture or larger organizational ecosystem?
What else might be influencing the problem, decision, and solution?
What are the downstream impacts of this solution?
For L&D professionals, systems thinking helps us to recognize that not only is our own function part of a broader system, but so are the requests and problems that others bring to us. Systems thinking allows us to show up as business leaders who have learning expertise, see business improvement as most important, and don’t default to providing training when it won’t solve the problem or drive business outcomes.
Bringing It All Together
3C+S-E = Solution
Using this formula we intentionally apply:
Critical Thinking
Creative Thinking
Collaborative Thinking
Systems thinking
And acknowledge emotion instead of being driven by it
This results in improved quality of decisions and solutions, especially in complex situations.
Next time you are facing a challenge, try using this formula. Write it down. Keep it visible. Run through it deliberately.
And see what changes.
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To learn more about how we might work together, including assessing your team’s current status with the L&D Strategic Business Partner Team Assessment and corresponding Team Development Roadmap, contact Jess today.
