Skillsoft Labs
Leadership and Business Content Releases – February 2025
"The best way to escape from a problem is to solve it."
WELCOME TO FEBRUARY!
In businesses today, the ability to solve problems quickly and effectively is a critical skill. However, the most successful problem solvers are not those who rely solely on creative or analytical thinking but those who manage to seamlessly blend both approaches. This dual strategy not only enhances decision-making but also fosters innovation, driving organizations towards sustained success.
Creative thinking is the ability to look at problems or situations from a fresh perspective, imagining solutions that may not be immediately obvious. It involves thinking outside the box, challenging the status quo, and embracing the possibility of failure as a step towards innovation. In most workplaces, creativity can lead to groundbreaking products, new market opportunities, and unique ways to engage with customers.
On the other hand, analytical thinking involves a methodical approach to problem-solving. It requires breaking down complex problems into smaller, more manageable parts, using data and logical reasoning to arrive at a solution. Analytical thinkers excel in identifying patterns, forecasting outcomes, and making data-driven decisions that minimize risk and maximize efficiency. This approach is essential in areas such as financial planning, operations, and strategy development.
The true magic of problem-solving lies in integrating creative and analytical thinking. For instance, when launching a new product, creative thinkers can envision a compelling concept that resonates with consumers, while analytical thinkers can assess market data to refine the product, ensuring it meets demand and aligns with business objectives. To cultivate this balanced mindset, organizations should encourage cross-functional teams where both creative and analytical thinkers collaborate. Providing training that enhances both skill sets and promoting a culture that values innovation and data-driven decision-making can transform problem-solving from a daunting task into a dynamic process.
The fusion of creative and analytical thinking equips organizations with a robust toolkit for tackling challenges. By nurturing these complementary skills, businesses can navigate complexities with agility, ensuring not only their survival but also their prosperity in an ever-evolving marketplace.
Be sure to check out this month's OFF THE SHELF book club Problem Solving bookshelf and Percipio's ever-growing library of courses and videos.
As you explore our library of leadership and business courses, books, audiobooks, summaries, and book club selections, I encourage you to consider how you can leverage them in your learning solutions.
Our commitment to providing valuable resources for business professionals never stops. Every month, we're thrilled to unveil fresh courses that focus on popular business skills.
We just released these On-Demand Leadercamps!
- Leadercamp on-demand: Burnout to Balance, featuring Lisa Nirell
- Leadercamp on-demand: Elevate Your Executive Presence, featuring Monica Kerik
- Leadercamp on-demand: Navigating Change and Transitions with Ease, featuring Vic Smith
And these new Skillsoft Leadership Development Program, Powered by MIT Sloan Management Review Articles!
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on How to Sabotage Your Board
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on How Not to Organize In-House Experts: Lessons From Boeing
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on How to Make Culture a Strategic Imperative: Cummins CHRO Marvin Boakye
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Managing an Employee Who Has a Side Hustle
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Return-to-Office Mandates: How to Lose Your Best Performers
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Building Human Connection in a Remote World
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Five Tips on Avoiding 'Terminal Niceness': Former Red Hat CEO Jim Whitehurst
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Cutting Last-Mile Delivery Costs
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Why Influence Is a Two-Way Street
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Five Ways Leaders Can Get People to Speak Up
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Building a Consistently Excellent Culture: Bain's Manny Maced
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on How Ukrainian Companies Are Transforming Wartime Challenges Into Lifeline
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on A Better Way to Avoid Project Delays
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Transmitting an Unwritten Culture: Hermès HR Leader Sharon MacBeat
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Sometimes Sustainability Costs More. So What?
And these Business and Leadership courses:
- Providing a Great Customer Experience
- Customer Empathy and Rapport Building
- Using AI for Effective Business Communication
- Making The Choice To Sell
- Optimizing Time Management for Successful Sales Preparation
- Building Strong Client Relationships
- Mastering Advanced Questioning Techniques
- Future of Banking: Technology, Trends, and Transformation
As well as these exciting new Microlearnings:
- Case Studies: Successful Data Privacy Implementations
- Future Trends in Cybersecurity
- The Role of RPA in Business Process Automation for Digital Transformation
- The Role of Encryption in Data Security
- Assessing Risks in Digital Transformation Initiatives
- Implementing Access Controls: A Step-by-Step Approach
- The Importance of Compliance in Cybersecurity
- Incident Response: Preparing for a Cybersecurity Breach
- Zero-trust Architecture: A New Approach to Security
- AI in Cybersecurity: Trends and Applications
- Building a Culture of Cybersecurity Awareness
And these CAISY Simulations:
- CAISY Scenario: Conducting Digital Impact Assessments
- CAISY Scenario: Engaging Employees in Digital Transformation
These new Business Tech Courses:
- Six Sigma Black Belt: Assessing and Modeling Variable Interactions
- Six Sigma Black Belt: Hypothesis Testing
- Six Sigma Black Belt: Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) Tests
- Six Sigma Black Belt: Risk Analysis and Management
- Six Sigma Black Belt: Factorial Experiments
- Six Sigma Black Belt: Statistical Process Control
- Six Sigma Black Belt: Maintaining Long-Term Process Gains
And these Digital Transformation Courses:
- Data Storytelling: Transforming Insights into Action
- Leveraging IoT for Successful Digital Transformation
- Harnessing Blockchain for Business Transformation
- Cybersecurity in Digital Transformation
- Leading and Sustaining Digital Transformation
- Project and Portfolio Management for Digital Transformation
- Skillsoft Digital Transformation Insights: Financial Services
In addition to these MIT Sloan Management Review Articles:
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on A Practical Guide to Gaining Value From LLMs
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on Five Ways Predictive AI Can Improve Sales Performance Management
- MIT Sloan Management Review Article on How AI Changes Partner Collaboration
And these MIT Sloan Management Review Podcasts:
- MIT Sloan Management Review Podcast on Sharing AI Mistakes: Partnership on AI's Rebecca Finlay
- MIT Sloan Management Review Podcast on Bonus Episode: Lessons From Jobs in the Age of AI
As well as these Productivity and Collaboration Tools (PaCT) Courses:
- Illustrating with graphic elements in Word 365 (2024)
- Managing references in Word 365 (2024)
- Managing sources in Word 365 (2024)
- Using mail merge in Word 365 (2024)
- Organizing plans and tasks in Planner (2025)
- Working with advanced plans in Planner (2025)
- Integrating Microsoft 365 apps with Planner (2025)
- Creating your first site in Power Pages 2025
- Displaying & securing data in Power Pages 2025
To see a comprehensive listing of course releases, in both English, and localized languages, please download the Leadership & Business Roadmap below.
Leadercamps
We've curated an incredible lineup of captivating topics that are sure to leave you inspired. Get ready to be immersed in fascinating discussions that are both thought-provoking and relevant to your interests.
Get ready to elevate your leadership skills to new heights! If you can't make these live Leadercamps, you can still watch the on-demand replays today on Percipio!
OFF THE SHELF BOOK CLUB
Problem Solving MONTH
Problem-solving skills, encompassing both creative and analytical thinking, enable employees to navigate complex challenges and devise innovative solutions that drive success. This month, OFF THE SHELF is featuring a bookshelf of resources to help you cultivate these skills and enable you to make informed decisions that propel your organization forward.
