Problem Solving Does Not Solve Problems

Usually, we hear the term problem solving, and we get training on problem solving, but have you ever tried to reflect on this term and think about it. Let me share with you my little experience on this.

Once, I was giving a session about problem solving to senior managers in a public organization.

Intentionally, I ask them to choose a problem which they wish to disappear from the organization; not surprisingly, they choose WASTA, and we started.

20 minutes later, the 5 groups start calling me: this is impossible; this will not happen in this organization, we can not solve the problem, it is huge, complex, requires the commitment of so many people, changing some systems and mentality.

I said: this is right, we can not solve problems. I do believe that we can not solve problems. They get surprised! I guess they wanted to say: ok, what are you doing here then?!!

Problem Solving techniques works only for little, small, shallow problems, when people agree on changing the same thing, when you have control over the whole situation, and if and only if the problem is semi-technical. In reality, we know this is not the case.

Problem solving does not work when people's attitude and interests are part of the problematic situation, and when it is complex and many parts has a stake on it.

If problems form gradually, how can people solve them instantly! And please let me know the tool anybody has used to solve a problem instantly which has been growing for years.

Problem solving is a distorted thought, it is unrealistic, and if you believe you can solve problems, you will get more problems. It is an "all or nothing mentality".

I am not crazy, and I am not saying live with problems for ever, and I am not saying give up.

My message is: to solve problems when need first to disbelieve in problem solving.

It is a shift from the "Solve mentality" to "improve mentality".

As we face big complex problems which have been growing and lasting for years, and try to solve them, we think that they need huge efforts, power, and magic to get solved, and this is where we might get disappointed; like my friends in the public organization. This is where many people give up, as they think the problem is bigger then them.

This happens because our expectations are unrealistically high. When expectations are unrealistic, reality and nature says its word, then we get disappointed and we feel powerless.

There are natural principles that we need to accept; one of them is that things needs to take its time to change. It is about thinking rationally about the right pace to change things.

This is the importance of the "improve mentality", it implicitly says to us that you do not have to radically and instantly solve everything, but rather, work gradually on improving the situation, until the situation becomes acceptable and nice to live with. Then you have the choice to improve more.

Actually, what happens is that you will get in the habit of improving; this habit does not stop when the pain of the situation leaves, instead, you start creating extra achievement. Example is Japan.

Japanese peruse the mentality of improvement (Kaizen), this is way they never stop improving their services and products, even when they achieve customer satisfaction.

Improvement mentality means that we believe in small wins strategy. Every small win we do, enhance our self-confidence that we have control over the situation, and motivate us to continue, and so you become more committed.

Because it is a small win, an improvement which we feel capable of doing, we just do it.

It is about gradually eat the elephant, and gradually build your capacity; an approach which suites our human nature.

Back to my friends in the public organization, we discussed together the "mentality of improving", and we agree at that moment that we do not aim to radically solve the problem, let us improve the situation.

We all get surprised. Many suggestions, improvements, and motivation follow the climate of the workshop as we start pursuing the improvement mentality.

Will you purse the improvement mentality as well, and start making small wins!