Gregory J. Scaven: Curiosity and Discipline in Problem-Solving

Gregory J. Scaven, CEO, Board Director, Partner, and currently President at Scaven Enterprises, LLC, brings over 30 years of technical engineering leadership and more than 20 years as a P&L leader to this conversation about problem-solving. With deep expertise in pyrotechnics, explosives, and propellants across automotive, aerospace, and defense industries, Greg shares how his approach to problem-solving evolved from the lab to the boardroom.

Greg's introduction to problem-solving came through the lens of high-reliability engineering, where devices that "go boom" must do so only when intended. Working in an industry demanding “six-nines” reliability or better, he learned the discipline of corrective action processes, where finding the true root cause wasn't optional. Greg emphasizes that his early training taught him to demonstrate the ability to turn failure modes on and off, then prove the effectiveness of preventative actions. This rigorous foundation shaped everything that followed.

The transition from engineer to business leader brought formal problem solving training through the Danaher Business System. Greg describes how Danaher focused on training leadership teams, not just front-line workers, because problem solving is a critical leadership skill. The emphasis was revolutionary for him: spend 70% of your time defining what the problem actually is. Greg explains that coaching teams to frame problems correctly became more important than diving into technical details, and he learned to limit his organization to no more than three major problems at any time, integrating them into regular leadership reviews.

Throughout the conversation, Greg returns to a central theme: critical thinking matters more than following forms. He cautions against becoming a slave to any tool, insisting the power lies in the thinking process itself. When young engineers worry about filling out corrective action paperwork, Greg redirects them to focus on what they've learned. He consistently asks teams to reframe their problem statements as new learning emerges, recognizing that the problem definition itself can evolve.

Greg draws a clear distinction between what he calls "cause problems" and "creative problems." As an engineer, he dealt with cause problems where scientific rationale could explain failures through tolerance stack-ups and environmental conditions. As a P&L leader, he faces creative problems like sales shortfalls, where turning failure modes on and off isn't possible. This is where experimentation becomes powerful. Greg encourages teams to quickly test their top three ideas, look for early returns, and double down on what works while abandoning what doesn't.

Creating a learning culture under P&L pressure requires deliberate effort. Greg believes great businesses are naturally curious, filled with people who aren't afraid when experiments fail. He looks for teams that iterate without waiting for permission, teams that come to him saying, "We tried this, it didn't work, so here's what we're doing next." That's his definition of success. Greg emphasizes accountability for follow-through rather than results, building on concepts from his military background around the commander's intent. Teams that understand the big picture, maintain discipline, and show bias for action don't wait for scheduled reviews when critical issues arise.

Greg's approach reveals how curiosity, discipline, and real-time responsiveness create problem-solving cultures that deliver. His journey from engineering to executive leadership demonstrates that while the problems change, the principles of critical thinking, experimentation, and learning remain constant.

To connect with Greg or learn more about his work, visit his LinkedIn profile at www.linkedin.com/in/gjscaven.