The Martian

Great movie.

Even better book.

Rare case where you will enjoy both.

Matt Damon portrays Mark Watney, where he is stranded on Mars after his team left him due to an emergency takeoff. They thought he had died.

Defy anyone to not root for the guy. He approaches each situation like a puzzle. From feeding himself, having enough breathable air and figuring out a way to contact Earth he solves each conundrum with creativity, persistence and humor.

His commander, who left him behind, says the following line when faced with a difficult situation of her own:

"Work the problem."

This line made her team stop and focus on the essence of the conundrum.

Whenever I am faced with a brain bender, I hear that sentence in my head. What is the core issue? What is the desired outcome? Why do you want that outcome? What happens if you actually get that outcome? What happens if you do not?

As recruiters, our value is in helping clients "fix" their problem. Whenever anyone calls us they have a problem to solve. Sometimes it is a good problem, such as unforeseen growth, a product launch and expanding overseas. And, yeah, there are bad problems too. Pfffft (or whatever sound a raspberry makes).

That is one of the first questions we ask when taking a new assignment. What problem can we help you solve with this hire? Distills down the situation into bite size chunks of what is needed. Walking through this exercise helps the hiring executive verbalize the true reason for the opportunity.

We then turn the problem on its head. Who is the type of person who could, and more importantly, want to solve this problem? There are several capable folks to fix our clients' woes. The hires are the ones who revel in solving these kinds of problems. The challenge appeals to them.

They want to work the problem.

In addition to bartender, psychologist, buddy, financial advisor, cheering section and fortune teller, we now have a new moniker.

Problem worker.

Matt Kaufman works for and with The Mullings Group. The premier medical device search firm on this planet and Mars. We pride ourselves on understanding the problem our partners are attempting to solve. This way, the talented folks we are trying to attract understand the opportunity and the purpose. The Martian by Andy Weir. Great for someone who enjoys breaking down a dilemma and creating a solution. Surprisingly funny.