Obvious?

The best leaders solve more problems than they cause. That may be more obvious than common.

-- doug smith

Decisions and Solutions

The decisions you make during problem solving are as important as the solutions you develop, even if they do not lead to solutions.

Decisions around relationships, around results, around permanence and transition. 

Do you want everyone to be better off because of the resolution of the problem, or do you just want a quick fix?

Do you value how people respond to your efforts? Do you really know more about the impact and urgency of the situation than the people who will be most affected by your solutions?

Decide carefully. You know that, and I know that, but sometimes we do forget, don't we?

-- doug smith

 

Dig Deeper

It's the inner workings where the problems are the most persistent.

It takes longer to dig deeper. 

Dig deeper.

-- doug smith

 

First, the Agreement

We need to agree on the problem before we can agree on the solution.

-- doug smith

A Quote from James Clear

 "When you ignore a problem that is small enough to handle, it often grows into a problem too big to manage."

-- James Clear

Source: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/july-16-2026

What's Possible

Problems that seem unsolvable at the micro-level may be manageable at their macro-level.

Check your perspective. Gauge your distance. Focus on what is possible. 

Ask the questions you'd ask about any mystery. What's going on? How did we get here? Where do we want to go?

What other questions do you ask in order to move from impossible to possible?

-- doug smith

 

Right In Front of You

It isn't possible or necessary to solve every problem. Focus on the problem in front of you.

Solving that first problem builds momentum and experience for solving the next problem. You'll never solve them all, but imagine how much better things will be after you've solved the ones right in front of you.

-- doug smith

 

Collaborate Instead of Commanding

 

As a recovering know-it-all I remember making many mistakes, trying to solve someone else's problem. I've learned that maybe, just maybe, I can help, but it is highly unlikely that I'll solve that problem.

The problem with solving someone else's problem is that it may not fit into their schedule. Or their plan.

Work together. Collaborate. Share. If the solution emerges between you, let them take credit for the brilliance of the solution. You'll never run out of problems to help on, unless you try to solve them all on your own.

-- doug smith

A Touch of the Poet

Highly structured? Wildly improvised? 

Harmonic, or distorted? Fast or slow?

Analytics help, but there's nothing quite like a touch of the poet in solving problems. The deep pondering, the pedantic piecing together, the frantic splash of passion.

Whether or not they know it every problem solver has a touch of the poet.

Are you in touch with your touch of the poet?

-- doug smith

 

Mastery

The mastery of problem solving begins with the mastery of self.

-- doug smith

 

Personal Problems

It's the system. Or maybe it's the process. It might not be you at all.

It might not be your team at all. Personal problems come from things we say and do, and they can also come from an unfair, deeply flawed system. Personal problems can also be caused by broken processes. 

And yet we often try to solve problems with personal solutions: work harder, work faster, work smarter, muscle up and carry on. Can't you just solve your own personal problem?

Personal problems with systemic causes are hard to solve with personal solutions.

Personal problems may not be personal -- the system or process doesn't care who you are -- but they're still problems.

-- doug smith

Another Problem

A truly ambitious goal will give you a new problem to solve.

-- doug smith

 

Not Perfect?

 

Have you ever held onto a problem just because you couldn't find the perfect solution, an elegant, efficient, bruise-free choice? 

That effort -- for perfection -- has slowed me down a number of times. Perfection can be such a bother, because nothing is perfect in this life and never will be. 

There's no perfect way to solve a problem -- but you don't need perfection to solve it.

If you can find the best way, that is certainly good enough.

-- doug smith

Joy

Whenever I find a way to embrace joy some part of a problem fades away.

 -- doug smith

Strong

It''s a challenge to your composure, to your centeredness. It's an attack on your boundaries. How do you react?

Nothing gives anyone the right to impose their problem on your property.

While it's not cause for aggression, it's also not cause for surrender. Stand strong. Remain resilient. Be bold yet kind.

A smile works as well during a refusal as it does during a deal. Smile, stand strong, or move along. 

A smile works as well during a refusal as it does during a deal. Smile, stand strong, or move along. 

When the need for creativity arises, creative problem solving is on your side. Bring your adversary into the picture. Ask, instead of demand. Then collaborate on a creative mix of solutions with at least one too good to refuse. 

-- doug smith

Changing Persistent Problems

 

Things change. Problems deepen. 

Solving a persistent problem might require us to let go of what has fixed it in the past.

 -- doug smith