Have You Fallen into the Solution Trap?
Take the Assessment.
This assessment will help you:
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Diagnose where your institution is falling into “quick-fix” mode instead of building real, sustainable change.
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Reveal the hidden patterns—groupthink, survival-mindset, inertia—that keep good programs from transforming outcomes.
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Map a clearer path forward: stronger questions, deeper understanding, smarter solutions.
What's in the Book?
“The Solution Trap” exposes the hidden psychology behind our costly mistakes and provides a proven framework for better decision-making.
Through case studies of three college leaders facing real crises on their campuses, you’ll discover why even the most capable leaders rush to solutions before understanding problems. You’ll learn how System 1 thinking—our brain’s fast, automatic responses—overwhelms our slower, more deliberate System 2 thinking that complex decisions require. You’ll see how groupthink creates collective illusions that make obviously flawed solutions feel unquestionably right, and how vendor promises exploit these psychological vulnerabilities.
You’ll learn about the Double Diamond framework—a human-centered approach that helps you recognize these mental traps, understand why survival anxiety clouds strategic judgment, and maintain clarity under pressure.
For presidents facing enrollment challenges, provosts managing budget constraints, and boards evaluating major investments, this book provides what you need to solve the right problems instead of implementing wrong solutions faster.
What Others Are Saying About The Solution Trap
“What makes this book stand out is its practical clarity. Instead of offering another framework to implement, it helps leaders understand why so many initiatives fail before they begin. It’s a valuable resource for teams navigating complexity, constraints, and competing priorities.” - Director of Institutional Effectiveness
What Others Are Saying About The Solution Trap
“Brian wrote an incredible book that really pinpoints an unspoken challenge in higher education. He brings uncommon clarity to complex institutional problems. This book reflects his decades of practical, systems-level work.” - Senior Higher Education Administrator
What Others Are Saying About The Solution Trap
“The Solution Trap reframes decision-making in a way that feels both rigorous and humane. It speaks directly to the cultural patterns that keep organizations stuck, and it offers a more thoughtful path forward—one rooted in understanding rather than urgency.” - Higher Education Consultant
