Curtis Friedel FRSA

Co-Founder & Director, Center for Cooperative Problem Solving, at Virginia Tech | Co-Instructor for KAI Accreditation Course

Curtis Friedel, FRSA, is an Associate Professor at Virginia Tech, where he also serves as the Director of the Center for Cooperative Problem Solving. His academic focus is on teaching and researching problem-solving strategies within organizational contexts, particularly through the lens of Adaption-Innovation theory. This theory posits that individuals have inherent preferences for how they approach problem-solving, categorized as either adaptive or innovative styles. Friedel utilizes Kirton’s Adaption-Innovation Inventory (KAI) to measure these preferences, which are seen as stable traits that influence team dynamics and effectiveness in problem-solving scenarios.1 2

Academic Background and Experience

Friedel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Education from Northwest Missouri State University and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Education and Communication from the University of Florida. He began his academic career as an Assistant Professor at Louisiana State University before joining Virginia Tech in 2011. In addition to his teaching role, he has been involved in various research initiatives aimed at enhancing critical thinking and leadership skills through effective problem-solving strategies.1 2

Teaching and Research Interests

At Virginia Tech, Friedel teaches several courses related to leadership and problem management, including:

Youth Program Management
Scientific Procedures in Agricultural Extension and Education
Exploring Citizen Leadership
Principles of Peer Leadership
The Dynamics of Leadership
Leading Social Change

His research primarily focuses on how individuals and teams can improve their problem-solving capabilities by understanding their inherent styles and preferences.1 3

Contributions to Problem-Solving Practices

As a co-instructor for the KAI Accreditation Course, Friedel trains others in utilizing the KAI framework for various applications, including team formation, organizational change management, and enhancing group cohesion. His work emphasizes that understanding diverse problem-solving styles can lead to more effective teamwork and innovation within organizations.1 2 3