Problem Solving: A Practical Framework
Steven Campbell-Harris
As a philosopher, facilitator, and writer, Steven specialises in helping businesses and professionals unlock their full potential by improving how they think. At The School of Life and Philosophy at Work, he empowers individuals and teams to solve problems more effectively, make better decisions, and work more cohesively. His sessions are designed to be practical and engaging, offering actionable insights that participants can immediately apply to their work and lives.
In addition to his work with businesses, Steven is a Senior Specialist and Teacher Trainer with The Philosophy Foundation, bringing philosophy into schools, as well as a teacher of Philosophy at the London Academy of Excellence. He also writes a regular column for The Philosopher’s Magazine.
- Recording: Yes
- Language: English
- Duration: 45 min / 15 min
Session Summary
Many of us think of our ‘problems’ in a very limiting way- as things that are broken which need to be fixed. Yet considered more broadly, a problem is just anything in our lives that could be better than it currently is. Every day we face varying problems; from simple issues such as an overflowing sink, to more difficult challenges like a strained relationship with a colleague. As the philosopher Karl Popper observed, ‘All life is problem solving.’
This session will leave you with the confidence to lean into your problems (rather than just put up with them) and equip you with clear practical tools to get started solving them straight away.
Interaction
During the expert session, Steven Campbell-Harris engages the audience through interactive exercises, Q&A sessions, and live demonstrations.
Key Learnings
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Turn Challenges into Opportunities: shift your mindset to see problems as opportunities for growth and innovation.
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Break Free from Tunnel Vision: learn how to avoid reactive thinking and address problems with clarity.
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Apply a Systematic Approach to Problem-Solving: follow a proven four-step process to define, analyse, test, and refine solutions for any situation.
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Detailed session description
In this expert session, Steven Campbell-Harris provides valuable insights on enhancing problem-solving skills for personal and professional growth. Steven introduces himself as a philosopher and writer, specializing in assisting teams and organizations to boost their critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities. He explains that effective problem solving involves improving any situation with the potential for improvement. The importance of focusing on the root cause rather than jumping to quick solutions is emphasized.
Campbell-Harris discusses how humans often make hasty judgments based on assumptions and interpretations, which can result in misdiagnosed problems. He encourages participants to state problems neutrally, observing situations without judgment, enabling a clearer understanding and effective solutions.
Using various examples, Campbell-Harris highlights the importance of being specific and neutral when defining problems. Participants are then invited to share their own problem statements neutrally. The expert session continues with discussions on identifying causes, considering potential blind spots in thinking, and generating multiple possible causes for each problem statement.
To effectively identify causes, Campbell-Harris suggests approaching problem-solving like scientists, considering simple and complex explanations, internal and external factors, and causes related to individuals and systems. He emphasizes the importance of looking beyond personal biases and assumptions to find overlooked causes.
Participants are then guided through an interactive process, identifying causes and prioritizing them based on controllability and influence. The session concludes with a discussion on balancing acceptance and driving change within organizations, proposing thoughtful approaches to maximize impact in both professional and personal lives.
Other Sessions by this Speaker
Self-directed Learning: Taking Ownership of Your Growth
In today’s fast-changing world, learning can no longer depend solely on formal training or external direction. In this session, Steven Campbell Harris explores self-directed learning as a vital skill for modern professionals. Participants discover how to take ownership of their development by identifying knowledge gaps, building motivation, challenging limiting beliefs, and creating sustainable learning habits. The session offers practical frameworks to help individuals become more adaptable, curious, and confident lifelong learners.
The Art of Asking Better Questions
We often think innovation begins with a brilliant idea, but the real breakthrough usually comes earlier. As Jonas Salk, developer of the polio vaccine, put it: ‘What people think of as the moment of discovery is really the discovery of the question’. In today’s fast-paced business environment, the pressure to react quickly often crowds out deeper thinking. Yet the leaders who create progress aren’t the ones with all the answers - they’re the ones asking better questions. This session focuses on how to move from reactive decision making to deliberate thinking. You’ll explore how asking the right question can unlock clarity, shift perspectives, and lead to your next big breakthrough.
Generative AI is transforming knowledge work. But while the technology feels revolutionary, the underlying challenge is not new. Throughout history, every major cognitive tool- from writing and the printing press to calculators and the Internet- has extended human capability while changing the way we think. AI is simply the latest chapter in that story. This interactive talk explores one of the defining challenges of the AI era: how do we use AI without outsourcing the judgment that makes us effective? Drawing on philosophy, cognitive psychology and the latest research into AI, participants discover how AI can be used as a thinking partner to challenge assumptions, expose blind spots and improve decision-making - while avoiding the risks of bias, over-reliance and the gradual erosion of independent judgement. Rather than asking, "How can AI do our work?", this session asks a more important question: "How can AI make us better thinkers?"
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