I am looking for some book recommendations that can help enhance my problem-solving skills, especially in scenarios packed with “unknown unknowns.” My background is in computer science, where I’ve earned a Ph.D., and my career has evolved to encompass roles as a data scientist, manager, and consultant. This journey has equipped me with a systematic approach to tackling problems, leveraging logic, a hypothesis-driven framework, and accumulated experience.
However, I often find myself navigating challenges in domains outside my primary area of expertise. In these instances, despite applying my analytical skills, I sometimes hit a wall or find myself pondering if there could be a more effective strategy to approach these problems. This is particularly the case when dealing with issues that contain elements I’m not initially aware of or familiar with.
To give you an idea of my current direction in addressing this gap, I’ve recently started reading “Cracked it!: How to solve big problems and sell solutions like top strategy consultants.” It’s been insightful, but I’m eager to dive deeper and broaden my repertoire with additional resources.
I’m looking for books that can offer:
\* Strategies for tackling complex problems in unfamiliar territories.
\* Methods to identify and navigate “unknown unknowns.”
\* Insights into enhancing adaptability and analytical thinking in new domains.
\* Frameworks that can be applied universally, regardless of the field of expertise.
If you’ve come across any books that resonate with the challenges I’ve described or have personally benefited from specific titles in improving your problem-solving skills, I would greatly appreciate your recommendations.
by ThickDoctor007
3 Comments
personally i’d go with “thinking, fast and slow” because it is as important to know/recognize flawed thinking and one’s own ignorance as much as what one does know. esp in domains where precision can masquerade as accuracy (some data science areas).
cheers!
I’m not quite sure what you mean when you say you find it difficult to “navigate challenges in domains outside my primary area of expertise.” To what areas are you referring? Political? Engineering related? Business?
Also if you could give a couple of books you have read that relate to the topic that would be helpful.
https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/32660815 good for explaining why different techniques work in different situations.