Are you solving the wrong problems?
Think about the biggest challenge you’re facing right now. Is it shrinking budgets? Increased competition? Internal inefficiencies? Your instinct might be to jump in and fix it immediately.
But what if that’s the wrong move?
Leaders are often praised for their ability to solve problems quickly, yet many issues stem from outdated processes or false assumptions. Fixing these distractions can waste valuable resources that could be used elsewhere.
Instead of rushing to solve every problem, ask yourself: is this issue worth solving, or should I skip it entirely?
I call this the Skip It Principle – a counterintuitive yet powerful approach to innovation. By questioning whether a problem is worth your time, you can focus on the opportunities that truly drive growth.
Why should leaders skip problems instead of solving them?
Most leaders are trained to be expert problem-solvers. But solving a problem doesn’t always address the root cause – it often just treats the symptoms.
Outdated business models, inefficient systems, and long-standing assumptions can create problems that don’t need solving. Innovative leaders don’t just react – they learn to skip unnecessary problems and shift their focus to game-changing opportunities.
How have top companies skipped problems?
Some of the most successful businesses today didn’t solve industry challenges. They skipped them entirely.
- Canva simplified design by eliminating the complexity of professional software, empowering non-designers with an easy-to-use platform.
- United Airlines sidestepped expensive cybersecurity threats by offering miles instead of cash to ethical hackers who identified vulnerabilities.
- Shopify skipped the traditional retail model by enabling small businesses to sell online, avoiding the cost and risk of brick-and-mortar stores.
Each of these companies found a way to bypass existing problems and create new value in the process.
How can leaders use strategic foresight to innovate?
Skipping problems effectively requires strategic foresight – the ability to anticipate future disruptions and opportunities. Instead of reacting to change, leaders must predict and pre-solve issues before they happen.
A great way to do this is by understanding:
- Hard Trends: These are future certainties, such as demographic shifts, advancing AI, and government regulations.
- Soft Trends: These are possibilities that can be influenced, such as changing consumer behaviors or emerging market preferences.
The most successful leaders leverage Hard Trends to make low-risk, high-impact decisions while shaping Soft Trends to create a competitive advantage.
Steps to apply the skip it principle in leadership
If you’re ready to embrace this principle, here’s how to get started:
- Identify problems to skip
- Ask: Is this issue aligned with future trends?
- Will solving it create long-term value?
- Can it be bypassed with a new technology or strategy?
- Focus on Hard Trend opportunities
- Example: The aging Baby Boomer population is a Hard Trend. Companies like Peloton have capitalized on this by offering home fitness solutions tailored to older adults.
- Shape Soft Trends to your advantage
- Example: Tesla influenced the Soft Trend of consumer scepticism around EVs by emphasizing luxury, performance, and sustainability.
- Pre-Solve predictable problems
- Example: AI-driven logistics help companies prevent supply chain disruptions before they happen, ensuring smooth operations and cost savings.
What makes an innovative leader?
Innovative leaders share key traits that align with the Skip It Principle:
- Proactivity: They anticipate changes before they occur.
- Resilience: They see disruption as an opportunity, not a threat.
- Empowerment: They create cultures that encourage bold thinking.
- Visionary Thinking: They focus on long-term opportunities, not short-term fixes.
- Data-Driven Decision-Making: They use insights to minimize risk.
- Collaboration: They foster diverse teams to drive creativity.
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How can leaders implement this approach?
To make problem-skipping part of your strategy, consider:
- Scenario Planning: Use Hard Trends and Soft Trends to anticipate future industry shifts.
- Upskilling Teams: Prepare employees for emerging technologies like AI and automation.
- Knowledge Sharing: Capture institutional expertise to prevent loss when employees leave.
- Continuous Learning: Stay ahead of trends through industry research and training.
Skip problems – embrace innovation
The future belongs to those who anticipate it. Instead of reacting to every problem, focus on the opportunities that drive real transformation.
Ask yourself:
- What challenges can I skip?
- Where should I redirect my focus?
- How can I shape the future instead of reacting to it?
By applying strategic foresight and the Skip It Principle, you can lead with confidence, drive innovation, and turn disruption into a competitive advantage.
Take action now!
The leaders of tomorrow act on the future today. Want to stay ahead? Download my exclusive Top Tech Trends for 2025 report and start shaping your strategy now: www.burrus.com/seethefuture.
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