University Human Resources
Date July 27, 2026
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August Professional Development Updates

This August, we are focusing on problem-solving & resourcefulness, the ability to look at roadblocks not as dead ends, but as puzzles waiting to be solved. In any busy work environment, we regularly encounter shifting priorities, unexpected roadblocks, or missing pieces of information.

Being resourceful means looking at the tools, networks, and information already available to us and creatively assembling them to find a path forward.

Whether you are managing a complex team or independently driving a core workflow, mastering problem-solving transitions us from pointing out bottlenecks to actively clearing them.

Featured Talk: Got a wicked problem? First, tell me how you make toast by Tom Wujec

Tom Wujec shares how simple visual mapping can untangle the messiest, most complex processes. He breaks down how teams and individuals can get unstuck by making their workflows visible.

Watch the TED Talk (12 mins)

After watching, consider:

  • What is a recurring roadblock in your current workflow that could use a fresh approach?
  • What hidden resources or tools do you already have access to but rarely use?
  • How can you break a complex problem down into smaller, actionable steps?

LinkedIn Learning Courses

Explore these LinkedIn Learning courses to strengthen your problem-solving skills:

To access more LinkedIn Learning courses, go to Workday Learning, select Search for Available Learning, and filter by LinkedIn Learning under Content Type.

Featured LDE Next Level Digital Course

Take your learning further with our self-paced, on-demand course library:

  • LDE Next Level: How Great Leaders Solve Problems: Effective leaders take proactive measures to prevent issues, address them when they arise, and keep their teams moving forward. This quick course covers the fundamentals of problem prevention, detection, and resolution. You will also explore how to solve problems more effectively as a team through clear communication, creative brainstorming, and removing barriers to success.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Visit the UHR events website for upcoming announcements about LDE trainings!

Discover the New LDE Lending Library Catalog

To support easier access to our growing collection, we are excited to introduce our new LDE Lending Library catalog system! This updated resource brings our entire collection together in one place, making it simple to explore topics, discover titles, and request books that align with your professional goals.

To check out a book, simply browse our catalog, select "Request This Book," and complete the quick checkout form. Visit the LDE Lending Library on TinyCat to find your next read. If you have any questions, please contact ldeteam@brown.edu.

Recommended Reads from the LDE Lending Library

This month’s selections focus on how to tackle tough constraints, outsmart daily roadblocks, and clear the communication hurdles that cause workplace friction:

  • Change Your Questions, Change Your Life: 12 Powerful Tools for Leadership, Coaching, and Results by Marilee Adams: A powerful look at how changing our internal line of questioning shifts our entire approach to obstacles. It introduces frameworks to move out of a reactive, defensive mindset and into a curious, solutions-oriented space where innovative problem-solving lives.
  • The Checklist Manifesto: How to Get Things Right by Atul Gawande: Explores how resourcefulness isn't always about inventing a complex new fix—it's often about organizing the critical knowledge we already have. Gawande reveals how simple, structured verification tools can drastically reduce execution failures and streamline chaotic workflows.

Visit our LDE Lending Library on TinyCat to explore these titles and request them through our new system.

LDE’s Quick Tip of the Month

The "Bring a Solution" Habit. The next time you encounter a bottleneck that needs to be escalated or discussed, don't just report the issue. Challenge yourself to brainstorm two distinct, viable options to fix it before you bring it up. This single shift instantly changes the conversation from admiring the problem to executing a solution.