Staying in the problem space

As you'd be aware, I come from an engineering background: Science, Maths and problem solving generally. We taught, trained and developed to "solve problems" - quickly, efficiently, effectively.

Add to this frenetic pace, pressure to perform, and ability to "Dr Google" all create a spin-cycle of obtaining the answer fast, if not first.

But, I've recognised, and begun to share, that the answer being sought isn't always that hard - if you understand the problem well enough.

We talk of the "smartest in the room" - and making sure we're not that person. But what does that really mean?

To me, it means that I am smart enough to know that we don't have enough understanding about what we're solving - yet. If I haven't asked enough questions, I can't articulate the problem such that others agree to what it is we're solving. Our solution will be flawed if not wrong.

Likewise, and more often than not, we are not experts in what we're discussing so we can't know the answer. But we do absolutely need to know just what the problem is.

Staying in the problem space is a trait I've observed in many folks I look up to - particularly those in leadership roles. They ask the extra questions. They probe the assumptions and the suppositions. They crystallise the problem to their satisfaction. Then, they get other people to solve it...

It's also these people who rely less ideology when trying to solve the problem. It's also those who cut through the group-think. It's those who guide a group to a sensible, and typically, correct course of action.

For me, this staying in the problem is about "stepping back", observing the sentiment of a group, or just the person I'm speaking with, and seeing what's getting in the way of distilling the problem - and helping others involved to do the same.

The more I apply and practise this, the more I find I'm turning mountains into mole hills. Often, there is a simpler solution once the distraction has been filtered out.

Even better, I'll often have a win for the day from that buzz of achievement, often with the retrospective that the answer wasn't that difficult after all.

Consider 'staying in the problem space' .. a really simple way of increasing efficiency.