Whether in the workplace or the classroom, many teams approach problem-solving as a search for certainty--even though certainty rarely exists in business. This search for the one right answer to a problem creates unrealistic expectations and often undermines teams' effectiveness. To help teams manage their problem-solving process and communication better, the author teaches a systematic comparison approach that transforms the search for certainty into a search for the best alternative based on clearly defined and weighted criteria. With this method, team members realize that all problem-solving involves subjective judgments, but that making that subjectivity transparent increases the chances that an adopted solution will in fact solve the business problem at hand. In this paper, the author first shows how the futile search for certainty undermines teams' effectiveness in problem-solving. Then she describes the systematic comparison approach, shows how it elucidates the subjective nature of business decisions, and closes by explaining how the approach enhances both written and oral business reports.