Before we set out to solve a problem, we have to define it first.
What is the problem? Is it a battle I have to fight? Can I redefine the problem and make it easier to solve? Is this problem a result of another problem (the real problem) that should be solved?
If you spend your time solving the important problems, many others go away without touching them.
What problem should you really be solving?
Larry, great point. I remember a professor telling the class that the first step to solving a problem, is to “correctly identify the problem”. However, I have found that the first step is not identifying the problem, the first step is agreeing that there is a problem to begin with. I remember a management meeting here in my office and we went around the table getting ideas on how to solve “The Problem”, only to get to the last person seated, who cleared the issue up with,”I don’t see a problem, your all over reacting to a one time issue, the new guy screwed up because he doesn’t know the system, now he’s knows, whats the problem?” Correctly identifying the problem assumes there is a problem to begin with. Take a step back sometimes. Not every minor issue needs a policy change.
Jim For President !
I always say there is no problem just solutions! Everything has a solution. Like Larry wrote redefine it and get on with it.
I only repeat what I have heard or read, the rest is imagination.