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

Mastery

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

-- 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

In Front

 

Problems bring pain. Maybe it's physical, or emotional, or logistical-- as long as the problem is there, so is that pain.

When we solve the problems in front of us we can put the pain behind us.

-- doug smith

The Right People

Who do you get to help you solve your problem?

You, of course, that's a given. Also, people who will be impacted by any solution you try. People who are feeling the effects of the problem right now. Even (especially) people who you think may be at the root cause of the problem.

Engage the right people in creating problem solutions so that they don't become the wrong people while implementing them.

-- doug smith

 

More, please

How many solutions does your problem need?

Sometimes the answer is just one more. It could also be that your problem needs twenty more before you find the one that sticks.

Finding solutions is the fun part anyway so just keep going. 

Create more solutions to a problem than you need in order to find one that works.

-- doug smith

 

An Important Pause

We're all in a hurry. Urgency is a way of life. When we're working on a problem it feels as if the faster we solve it the better.

But, have you ever solved a problem only to shortly discover that you haven't solved it at all? New complications arise. Surprises confound you. The problem roars back.

The worry creates the hurry. The rush is not enough. Better to find the actual cause of the problem and face that issue. 

Taking time to analyze a problem will save time in solving it.

And that saves time overall.

That pause you take may be more important than you thought.

-- doug smith

 

Problem Control

 

Can you solve every problem?

Of course not. Some problems need more time, more resources, more miracles.

Sometimes the best we can do as a leader is not to make things worse.

Even if you can't solve a problem there's no reason to magnify it.

Look at that problem from the viewpoint of someone who just doesn't care. Does it look different? Is it really a mountain or simply a molehill (of course, if you've ever had moles you know what kind of problem that is).

Will any of it matter a year from now?

If yes, get busy. If no, breathe?

-- doug smith

The Seat of the Situation

Problems are complicated. We need to think clearly about them, to analyze their causes. We also need to act quickly because, oddly or not, some solutions expire. 

Sit, or move?

Think, or act?

This isn't a universal assertion, but maybe one with value: 

the situation isn't entirely the problem, and the problem isn't entirely the situation.

As closely as cause and effect may nest, there are likely other causes, other effects worth considering. It's a bit like widening the circle in a jam session. Yes, the new instruments complicate things, and yes, sometimes the notes are discordant, but oh! the miracle of the unexpected harmonies can make the how piece better.

That's the situation. What if it existed before the problem, and needs to exist beyond the problem?

We can sit with a problem without making that problem the entire situation.

What do you think?

-- doug smith

 ps: The drawing is only partially related. It't a situation. It's a problem. I drew this dancing with the idea of problem vs. polarity...and other random situations. 

 

A Quick Quote from James Clear

 "Don't ignore the problem, but keep it light. Take action with a smile. Adding tension won't solve your troubles faster. 

Even when the problem is hard, it doesn't need to harden you. Unknot yourself. Body loose, head clear, and then take the first step. 

Be happy in the doing."

-- James Clear

Roots of Their Own

What looks like the root cause of a problem might have roots of its own.

Keep digging.

-- doug smith

 

With Love

Emotions can get in the way of solving problems. Stirring up anger, or fear is hardly ever helpful. But what if even in the toughest of situations we solved problems with love.

There can't be too much love, can there? And the supply is always renewable and inexhaustible if we stay with it.

Problems solved with love stay solved longer.

We also feel much better about the whole thing.

What do you think?

-- doug smth 

Done

 

Trying to fix a problem from the past could cause a problem right now.

When it's done, let it stay done.

-- doug smith 

Complicated

You could think of it as the ostrich effect - putting your head in the sand to avoid a danger. You can't see it anymore, you don't notice the discomfort, but it's still there and you're still exposed.

Overlooking the complexity of a problem does not simplify it -- or solve it. 

As uncomfortable as it may be, we need to face our problems with courage, deal with them using our creativity, focus on our goals with clarity, and show compassion for anyone effected by our course of action.

When problems are complicated we need not hide. It's better to rise.

-- doug smith