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Problem solving: Seek continuous improvement and innovation

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The McKinsey Publishing guide to problem solving
The McKinsey Publishing guide to problem solving

Email 6 of 7

How to seek continuous improvement and innovation

In the previous session, we looked at how teams can leverage clear communication skills to reap the ongoing benefits of their problem-solving efforts. In this sixth email, we emphasize the importance of innovation and continued improvement when faced with obstacles, change, and uncertainty.

You’ve solved your problem. You’ve presented results and suggestions for implementation. Chances are, you’re faced with pushback, requests to consider new factors in the equation, or an ask to solve something else entirely. At all stages of problem solving, it’s critical to practice “dual awareness,” or the integrated awareness of external and internal environments and how they affect each other. Senior partner Aaron De Smet and coauthors write that, with this awareness, team leaders can act with intention and perform at their best no matter what is going on.

Discover insights about innovation, continuous improvement, and resilience, all of which are key factors to problem solving while navigating significant change.

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by "McKinsey Publishing Guides" <publishing@email.mckinsey.com> - 03:05 - 10 Jul 2025