Episode 226: The Problem Isn’t the Strategy — It’s the Thinking

Episode 226: The Problem Isn’t the Strategy — It’s the Thinking

From Bob 'n Joyce Talk HR 'n OD by Bob Stapleton and Joyce Wilson-Sanford

February 26, 2026 · 24 min · Episode 226

About this episode

Bob and Joyce discuss how entrenched thinking can hinder organizational progress and explore methods to foster creativity and strategic thinking.

What if the biggest obstacle in your organization isn’t resistance — but thinking? In this episode, Bob ’n Joyce explore why smart leaders keep applying logical, linear solutions to problems that require something different. Drawing on the work of Edward de Bono and his ideas on lateral thinking, we examine why better analysis doesn’t always produce better outcomes. True creativity — the kind that shifts culture and unlocks strategy — happens when leaders deliberately disrupt their own patterns of thought. That doesn’t come naturally. It takes structure, intention, and often a skilled OD practitioner willing to redirect the conversation sideways. We share practical ways to apply these concepts in your organization, including how to: • Interrupt entrenched thinking • Expand options before narrowing them • Facilitate conversations that create possibility instead of reinforcing positions If you’re an OD professional or executive leader, this conversation may challenge how you approach your next strategic discussion. Sometimes progress doesn’t require more effort. It requires a different question.

People in this episode

Hosts: Bob Stapleton, Joyce Wilson-Sanford

Topics covered

  • organizational development
  • lateral thinking
  • leadership
  • strategic thinking
  • creativity
  • problem-solving

Keywords

  • organizational change
  • thinking patterns
  • leadership strategies
  • creativity in business
  • problem-solving techniques

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