Why My Dog’s Surgery Reminded Me That Sometimes Linear Thinking May Not Be The Best Route

Last year, our four year old Labrador, Sangio, started limping after our walks and exercise sessions. When her lameness persisted, we took her to the vet and discovered she had a torn CCL (the canine equivalent of an ACL) and needed surgery. Having undergone ACL repair myself, I felt a strange sense of affinity with Sangio.

What I thought I knew about the repair process was completely wrong. Instead of repairing the ligament, the vet surgically reoriented the design of the tibia through a procedure called Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO). Linear thinking would suggest that the ligament needed to be replaced or repaired, but this procedure reorients the angle of the tibia in relation to the femur, negating the need for the CCL altogether. The result? Stability is restored, pain is eliminated, and Sangio is back to her sprightly self.

This experience reminded me of the value of stepping back and reframing problems. Solving issues by thinking beyond our natural reaction to simply fix or repair—using logic and tradition—can sometimes limit us. Instead, applying creativity and vision can lead to breakthroughs that redefine how we approach challenges.

During my time working with Siemens, we invested in training our teams in Six Sigma and LEAN techniques. When we encountered a problem, we worked quickly to recover and resolve it. But we didn’t stop there. We reimagined how to prevent similar issues in the future. Equipped with analytical tools and the freedom to experiment, we uncovered solutions that saved the company millions. By not being bound to tradition, we improved quality, increased satisfaction, and encouraged an environment of continuous innovation.

What stood out most was how these efforts brought teams together. Diversity of thought and openness to respectful dialogue allowed individuals of varying seniority and roles to contribute equally. Teams were empowered to challenge assumptions, think creatively, and focus on achieving results—no matter how unconventional the solution might appear at first.

And that’s the point.

We live in a world that changes faster than ever. The problems we face—whether in business or in life—rarely come with a step-by-step manual for resolution. Nimble thinking invites us to shed the constraints of linear problem-solving and instead embrace agility, creativity, and collaboration.

When we empower teams to think beyond the obvious, we unlock the kind of innovation that can transform organizations. Whether it’s reengineering a dog’s tibia or reimagining a business process, the lesson is the same: the most effective solution isn’t always the most obvious one. It’s often the one that asks us to reorient our thinking entirely.

So, the next time you’re faced with a challenge, ask yourself: What if there’s another way? By being open to nimble thinking, you not only solve problems—you build stronger teams and a more resilient business, ready to tackle the future with confidence.