You're working on the wrong problem 😳
I've missed you these last two weeks! It's nice to be back writing to my pen pal :-) ... and I've been thinking a lot about the ways we tussle for too long with the wrong problem...
I find most of us tackle the content of our challenges: the specific details, information, strategies and tactics associated with an issue.
This is a good place to start, but by bringing in context – elusive and dynamic solutions become accessible.
For example, in your organization the content is: what happened in the past, the goals, industry norms, salary ranges, prices, competitors, budgets, forecasts, inventories, policies, laws and regulations.
The content is also less easily defined things – like the culture of the company and the industry, yours and others professional knowledge and experience.
When I am trying to solve a problem using content I gather information, ask other experts, seek out different stakeholders, brainstorm solutions, consider past experiences, project possible future outcomes.
Sometimes this is fabulously successful! Great leaders regularly use content effectively.
But sometimes I have that feeling where the problem seems impossible. I intellectually know it must not be impossible. But the path forward is not clear.
Side note: the work-related examples I have just laid out could be swapped for sibling squabbles or discussions you have with your partner. The content there is simply the less formal versions of the things I listed above: what did each person say or do, what do they want, how much is there, can we get more, family norms about fairness and equity, etc…
If something feels impossible, insurmountable, or even simply more difficult than usual, you have to leave the realm of content-based problem solving and look at context.
Context is how you – and others – are relating to the content. The context is the mindset, beliefs, and attitudes you are having about the content.
If you want to be curious about context, check in with these types of questions:
Are we blaming and finding fault with others?
Are we imagining that there is a victim, a villain, and a hero in this situation?
Does it feel like there is not enough or too much of something?
Is there an us/them competition going on?
Are we believing that there are certain “truths” that must be obeyed?
Is it really important for us to be right? Does it seem like there is a narrow window of “right” choices?
Are we imagining that the solution should win us approval?
Often the context is gumming up the works – making it difficult for us to see and create solutions.
As irritatingly simple as it is, just becoming aware of the context is really helpful.
If you are aware of the context issues but still feel stuck...
(This might sound like: “Yeah, there is a right answer. And it is their fault!”)
I can help you shift, shoot me a message here and I will send along some tools!
Much love,
Marijke Ocean