Whether it’s a missed sales target, a frazzled team dynamic, or a strategic overhaul, the truth is, our working lives are full of problems. Some are clear-cut and easy to fix. Others are messy, unpredictable, and emotionally charged. But here’s the catch: how you define the problem and approach it mentally will shape the outcome.
If you always solve problems in the same way, using the same mental pathways, you may overlook valuable angles, dismiss creative options, or move too quickly on an incomplete fix.
Whole Brain® Thinking (WBT) helps you move beyond your default mode of thinking. It offers a common language to understand, diagnose, and resolve all types of problems, whether they’re simple, complex, or seemingly impossible to untangle.
What is a problem, really?
At its core, a problem is the gap between where you are and where you want to be, with something in the way.
In the workplace, this can show up as:
- A technical obstacle: “The report is due, but the data is missing.”
- A performance issue: “Productivity has dropped across the team.”
- A decision dilemma: “Do we pursue growth, or focus on efficiency?”
- A people challenge: “Two key stakeholders aren’t aligned.”
- A strategy conflict: “We’ve been tasked with transformation, but no one knows how.”
The way we see a problem, what we notice, care about, and prioritize is shaped by our cognitive preferences. That’s where the WBT model becomes powerful.
Understanding Whole Brain® Thinking
The Whole Brain® Model identifies four distinct thinking styles:
| Quadrant | Focus | Description |
| A – Blue | Analytical | Facts, logic, objectivity |
| B – Green | Practical | Planning, process, detail |
| C – Red | Relational | People, emotions, empathy |
| D – Yellow | Experimental | Big-picture, innovation, risk-taking |
We all have access to all four quadrants, but most people have preferences and underused styles. WBT is not about changing who you are, but about expanding how you think, especially when problem solving.
Not all problems are created equal
One reason problem solving can feel frustrating or overwhelming is that not all problems are the same. Drawing on the work of Snowden and Boone (2007) and Rittel & Webber (1973), here’s a breakdown:
1. Simple problems
- Clear cause and effect.
- Best practice exists.
- Example: “How do we reset a system password?”
WBT Insight: These often sit in the Blue (A) and Green (B) quadrants, logic, efficiency, clear steps.
2. Complicated problems
- Multiple solutions exist, but require expert analysis.
- Example: “How do we integrate a new CRM system across departments?”
WBT insight: Blue and Green thinkers may take the lead, but Red (C) ensures user impact is considered, and Yellow (D) brings future vision and change management into view.
3. Complex problems
- No single right answer. Outcomes emerge from experimentation.
- Example: “How do we re-engage our workforce after a restructure?”
WBT insight: These problems demand perspective-taking. All quadrants are critical: logic, process, empathy, and vision must work together to navigate ambiguity.
4. Wicked problems
- Tangled, systemic, emotional, and seemingly unsolvable.
- Example: “How do we redesign our business to be both profitable and sustainable in the next decade?”
WBT insight: No one quadrant can own the solution. Wicked problems demand shared language, iterative approaches, and deliberate inclusion of diverse perspectives, which WBT facilitates beautifully.
WBT: A common language across all challenges
Whole Brain® Thinking doesn’t just give you insight into how you solve problems. It also enables collaboration and alignment, even across teams that think very differently.
Here’s how WBT supports different stages of problem solving:
| Stage | Key Question | WBT Contribution |
| Define | What’s the actual problem? | Use A & C to understand data and people impact |
| Explore | What perspectives are we missing? | Use D to brainstorm and C to empathise |
| Plan | What actions are needed? | Use B to bring order, timing, and accountability |
| Communicate | How do we get buy-in? | Use all four: logic, clarity, connection, and inspiration |
By mapping your problem and your blind spots across the quadrants, you reduce error, increase inclusiveness, and speed up the time it takes to arrive at thoughtful, aligned decisions.
Example: Solving a drop in team morale
Let’s say your team is disengaged. A Whole Brain® approach would help you:
- A: Gather data from engagement surveys and productivity metrics
- B: Clarify workflows, role clarity, and project management practices
- C: Tune in to team emotions, energy levels, and interpersonal dynamics
- D: Explore bold new ways of working, recognition programs, or redesigning the work week
One problem, four distinct lenses. The result? A solution that’s multi-dimensional, not one-size-fits-all.
Backed by Research
- Snowden & Boone (2007) introduced the Cynefin Framework, showing that different types of problems require different thinking and leadership approaches.
- Rittel & Webber (1973) defined wicked problems as those that resist resolution due to their complex and interconnected nature.
- Page (2007) demonstrated that cognitive diversity — including how we think — is more important than ability when it comes to complex problem solving.
- Rock & Grant (2016) linked psychological safety and cognitive diversity to team performance.
- Herrmann International (2022) research shows that teams using Whole Brain® Thinking solve problems faster, make fewer errors, and communicate with greater clarity.
Final thought: Your brain is your best tool, if you use all of it
Problem solving isn’t just a technical skill. It’s a thinking skill. When you become more aware of your own preferences and the gaps you might be leaving behind, you become more effective, more inclusive, and more adaptable.
Whole Brain® Thinking helps you:
- Break out of mental ruts
- Map problems more clearly
- Engage diverse perspectives
- Act more deliberately
- Communicate more effectively
Ready to stretch your thinking and solve differently? Get Started by completing and unlocking your HBDI Profile results today!
✅ Disclosure: This article was written with the support of generative AI and curated by a human WBT expert. It reflects insights from neuroscience, organisational psychology, and Herrmann’s proprietary Whole Brain® Thinking methodology.
