Innovation is all about anticipating future needs then designing, piloting and scaling new solutions to address the tomorrow’s challenges. Successful business leaders and entrepreneurs require foresight into the minds, concerns and opportunities of their customers and markets. Through this they are able to build and offer solutions to needs that customers may not be aware of today.
Leaders need to become future problem-finders and champions for success. You can start developing problem-finding skills by talking to customers about their visions and what they believe is possible in the future. Ask open ended questions of their concerns and possible obstacles to achieving their dreams. Have a dialogue with customers about what is holding them back from stardom. The more you understand others’ perceptions of obstacles, the better prepared you are to define innovative ways to overcome these barriers- hence you become a problem finder.