Thinking Outside the Bathtub: Another Look at Problem-Solving
How The Bathtub Test Is Sinking Conventional Thinking
Do you know the story of the Bathtub Test in a Psychiatric Hospital?
Picture this: You’re visiting a psychiatric hospital, not for a staycation but out of sheer curiosity. You ask the director: “How do you know who we should admit here?”
The director replies, “Oh, it’s simple! We play a little game called ‘Empty the Bathtub.’ We give the person a spoon, a glass, and a bucket. If they accept, their mission is to empty the tub after bathing. Based on their answers, we decide whether to admit them.”
You, feeling particularly clever, exclaim, “Aha! A normal person would use the bucket because it’s the biggest!”
The director looks at you and responds, “Not really! A normal person would pull the plug from the drain to empty the tub. Now tell me, would you prefer a single or shared room?”
Before you start questioning your sanity (or your co-workers’), rest assured that this isn’t a real psychiatric test. Genuine mental health assessments are complex, standardized procedures conducted by trained professionals!
But this story reminds me of how I’ve often felt when our teams were in decision-making mode at work. At first, we didn’t see more options than the ones in front of us.
Then, with experience and after a series of bad choices, I realized the power of “unconventional” problem-solving and the importance of thinking outside the box when faced with any challenge.
So, let’s dive deeper into this bubbly metaphor with three principles I learned to apply when facing a complex decision to make:
Critical Thinking
As illustrated in the story, questioning the given parameters of a problem and not limiting yourself to the most apparent options is key. This can be tricky because, in my experience, senior executives often—unconsciously or not—suggest a course of desirable options.
Our teams frequently got stuck with these provided assumptions. Then, my preferred questions became: “What alternatives do we have to the given choices?” or “What if any of the assumptions are incorrect?”.
It helped us view problems from multiple angles, leading to unique and often groundbreaking ideas that would have yet to emerge through traditional methods.
Creative Problem-Solving
The Bathtub Test story also underscores the value of creative thinking in problem-solving by presenting an unexpected solution. It applies to the workplace daily, where innovative approaches often lead to better outcomes.
It goes hand-in-hand with critical thinking, and there are many ways to get there, but simple questions can go a long way here, too. For example, “What’s stopping us from thinking differently?” or “If bathtubs could talk, what would they say about these patients?”
KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid!)
The story emphasizes the value of finding the most efficient and straightforward approach to problems by presenting the simple solution of pulling the plug. It has translated to seeking simple, practical solutions rather than overcomplicated ones in a work environment.
It’s easier said than done, but what I’ve seen work was first involving team members who directly interacted with the problem at hand. Then, we’d focus on removing any complex steps that would get in the way of reaching our goals. Lastly, we’d adopt continuous improvement, cultivating a mindset of ongoing optimization and refinement.
So, the next time you face a challenging problem at work, avoid getting stuck in hot waters. Take a deep breath. Apply critical thinking. Be creative. Look for the obvious (but often overlooked) solution, and you might find yourself floating to the top of the corporate ladder.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to fill my bathtub with rubber ducks and ponder the meaning of corporate life. I promise not to use a spoon to empty it.