Are you solving for the wrong problem?

Having a bias for action is a strength, but as with all strengths, it has a dark side.

The dark side of having a bias for action is that you may be committing to a course of action that won’t produce the results you had hoped.

You think you’re solving the problem, but you haven’t slowed down enough to find out if you’re solving for the right problem.

If you take a beat, you can ask yourself the following questions to be sure you are solving for the right problem:

Photo by Matthew Montrone on Pexels

1. Have I identified the root cause?

   Are you solving for the symptom rather than the root cause? Ask “the 5 why’s” until you get to the underlying problem.

2. Is this a real problem or a recurring problem?

   Often your problems are recurring problems, which points to the system you have created that is producing the problem. You can’t address the problem without overhauling your system.

3. Have I considered alternatives that might contradict my preconceived ideas of what the problem is?

   You might be letting confirmation bias cloud your ability to see the real problem. Seek out contradictory views to consider and stay open to other possibilities.

4. Have I isolated the problem?

   If there are multiple contributing factors, are you able to pare it down for one problem to solve? Perhaps this could be a domino that takes care of the other contributing factors.

5. Do I have competing commitments I haven’t yet identified?

   I worked with someone who thought they had a problem over-committing. She was trying to find a way to cut something out of her schedule to free up some white space. During our conversation, we uncovered a competing commitment she had. In her family, there was a huge value placed on not quitting. Ever. Even when the commitment wasn’t serving anymore. Her commitment to this family value was keeping her from creating the space she desperately needed in her schedule to breath. Where do your competing commitments keep you from either identifying the problem or putting in place the right solution?

Love,

Audrey