Latest news with #problemsolving
Fast Company
3 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
The key to building trust and perspective in business? Space
As entrepreneurs, we want to dive head-first into our business operations. We thrive on solving problems, which can sometimes make staying deeply involved vital. Early in my career, I flourished on this energy. I soon realized that my focus on problem solving was consuming too much of my time. Back-to-back meetings coupled with teams needing my oversight unwittingly made me a bottleneck. So, I relinquished some control. After 19 years of running a video company, I know that taking a step back from your business is just as important as putting in the work. Doing so is not about reducing your workload, but about unlocking your organization's full potential. For any leader, this shift is both liberating and a total game-changer. How do you create space between you and your organization? Some might say that's easier said than done. But when you do it, this separation can propel your team farther than you ever imagined. For us at Wistia, it has set a new standard: one built on trust, collaboration, and empowerment. Once you've taken a step back, you have instantly built a trusting environment. This will help motivate team members to do their best work, and empowers them to rise to the occasion. Sometimes letting go is the best way to instill confidence. Let a team member lead the production of a new project, like a video campaign. Allow them to handle client feedback, oversee edits, and ensure delivery. Empowering them in their roles allows you to add unique value to other parts of the business that might be better suited for your attention. Leaders drive organizational growth. Instilling confidence in your teams to do their best work is a great way to grow—both internally and externally. FAILURE = PERSPECTIVE We've all been through it: buried in emails, behind on deadlines, and juggling meetings. Here's my rule of thumb: If you can find someone who can do something 80% as well as you, delegate it. Every time. If they succeed with that task, awesome. Hand off more to them and watch their confidence soar. But don't see it as a setback if they fail. Failure can be a powerful lens. Shift your perspective on what needs to change for growth and success. Failure may also be a sign that you need to change your approach as a leader. Collaborate with the leadership team to analyze what went wrong and implement tools for success next time. The big takeaway: Get comfortable with failure. It's proof that you're moving fast, pushing boundaries, and learning along the way. The goal is progress, not perfection. LETTING GO TO SCALE AND SUCCEED Handing over the reins can feel daunting, but it's a necessary step for growth. You can't scale with a workload that keeps you bogged down. Failing to delegate is failing to scale. Give your teams the space and opportunity to step up and flourish, and I am almost positive that you will start to see a fresh perspective turn into innovative ideas.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Only 1 in 5 people can spot both playing card suits that don't belong in under 20 seconds
PUZZLE fans are invited to test their IQ with this mind boggling brainteaser. Only one in five people can find the two suits that don't belong with the rest. 2 Whether you're hoping to improve your problem solving skills or boost your memory, this puzzle is bound to be a challenge for many readers. Put your observation skills to the test and figure out whether you have what it takes to spot the odd suits out in just a few seconds. Make sure to set your stopwatch before undertaking this challenge, to make it extra hard for yourself. If you can do it in under 20 seconds, you are said to have 20/20 vision. At first glance, it seems as though all of the playing card suits in the image provided by Solitaire Bliss are the correct colours, i.e red hearts and diamonds, and black spades and clubs. However, those with 20/20 vision will be able to immediately see this is not the case. This puzzle works by tricking your eyes into thinking that all of the suits are the right colour. However, hidden in the mix is a red spade and a black heart. Unless you're lucky enough to find the suits with the wrong colours immediately, we recommend analysing the pattern very closely to spot the answer. The visual deception of this image will have you scratching your head trying to solve it, but the payoff is worth it. Everyone can see the beach but only those with a high IQ can spot five differences in 32 seconds in this brainteaser If you need a hint, we recommend focusing on the top half of the image. One of the odd suits out, can be found towards the right-hand side of the picture. If you're looking for more of a challenge, this tricky puzzle asks readers to find the odd one out in a sea of TikTok logos. If you need another tricky test, only the most eagle-eyed readers will be able to spot the six items that need tidying up in this spot the difference puzzle. How can optical illusions and brainteasers help me? Engaging in activities like solving optical illusions and brainteasers can have many cognitive benefits as it can stimulate various brain regions. Some benefits include: Cognitive stimulation: Engaging in these activities challenges the brain, promoting mental agility and flexibility. Problem-solving skills: Regular practice enhances analytical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Memory improvement: These challenges often require memory recall and can contribute to better memory function. Creativity: They encourage thinking outside the box, fostering creativity and innovative thought processes. Focus and attention: Working on optical illusions and brainteasers requires concentration, contributing to improved focus. Stress relief: The enjoyable nature of these puzzles can act as a form of relaxation and stress relief. And if that's not hard enough, only those with 20/20 vision will be able to spot the 'impostor' bee in this image. Another tricky puzzle asks hawk-eyed readers to spot five tickets hidden amongst a sea of football fans. Coming back to our challenge, were you able to solve it in under 20 seconds? For those struggling to locate it, we have marked the answer below. 2
Forbes
05-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Best Idea: Top Team Focuses On Helping Clients, Solving Problems
Germain DiCarlo & Wong Wealth Management Group Wells Fargo advisor Jeff Germain sees himself and his team as problem solvers. When clients call, Germain and his team spring into action. They work overtime to soothe frayed nerves and fix what is broken. But sometimes the problem isn't related to the markets or financial planning. It is of a more personal nature. Like the time the daughter of a client, an ultra-high-net worth family, 'was getting no traction' with the admissions office at a private university on the East Coast. Germain, 64, who is managing director at Germain DiCarlo & Wong Wealth Management Group in Beverly Hills, California, said he turned to one of the team's partners, Kelly Wong. Wong had a contact at the university, and she agreed to make some calls.'We were able to open up the door,' said Germain. 'If Kelly hadn't done that, I'm not sure the student would have ever gotten' the attention her application deserved, Germain said. 'Little things like this are important.' Germain adds: 'All the father could talk about is how we helped his daughter get into the university she most wanted.' Jeffrey R. Germain Germain's nine-member team manages $1.8 billion in assets for about 135 high-net worth clients. The team, part of Wells Fargo Advisors, has been ranked by Forbes | SHOOK as both a Best-In-State and a Top Wealth Management Team. When wildfires ravaged Southern California in January, a prospective client told Germain that his family had lost their home. The family couldn't find a suitable building contractor. Germain made some calls and connected the prospective client with a builder. The family became a client. Having a small client base, Germain said, 'gives us enormous bandwidth and ability to do these things for the client.' In another instance, a client's home was burglarized and stripped of its electronics. The client called Germain in a panic. 'Oh my god, what am I going to do?' she asked. Germain took inventory of what had been lost, drove to Best Buy and worked with the manager there. Within a week, all the client's electronics had been replaced, delivered and installed. When another client was near tears because he lost a prized Rolex to the wildfires, Germain's team made a couple of calls and replaced the watch. Clients in the market looking to buy a car sometimes turn to Germain's team. The team has helped clients find the right vehicle, negotiate the price and even secure financing. After listening to the Germain's team approach toward helping clients, judges selected Germain DiCarlo & Wong Wealth Management Group as a Best Idea Winner at the Forbes | SHOOK Top Teams Summit. 'Probably 70% of what we do is outside the scope of how we make our money,' says Germain. 'It's just about being available, leveraging all the contacts I have. What drives our business is being there for whatever our clients need.' 'Our focus is on representing the client and treating others the way you wish to be treated.'
