Hello Reader,

In our daily lives, we encounter a myriad problems, each demanding a unique approach and level of intervention. Wouldn't it be nice if problems came with warning signs? What if we had a dashboard of sorts that helped us sort problems into neat little piles - this is urgent, this can wait, this is easy, this is difficult but doable, DO NOT TACKLE THIS ONE ALONE! More on this later. When faced with challenges our instinct is to dive right in, running through our usual checklist of potential solutions. As human beings we are biased towards action - we like to take charge, we make lists, we analyze, we deliberate, we brainstorm. We want to be doing things. But sometimes, is that the best approach?

Take a step back or dive right in?

Imagine you are standing in front of a garden maze with very tall hedges. Without any prior information, there is no way of knowing the right path. But if you want to go through the maze, you are going to have to enter it and take the first turn, and then the next. Every time you come across a set of diverging paths you are faced with choices and decision points. Sometimes there are helpful hints, other times it may feel as if you are hitting a wall, quite literally.

How do we solve the problem of where to go next, what to do next? Some of us dive right in and learn by going through the wrong paths and then retracing our steps. Every time we choose wrong, we learn something new - about us, about the maze, about the people navigating the maze with us. Some of us take a step back and try to get some perspective. If there is a vantage point we may climb up and look at the whole maze. If we are really resourceful, we may try to use some other tools like a compass or navigate by the stars. Depending on the size of maze, we may even try to go around it. And some of us may struggle with indecision and choose not to enter the maze at all.

Life and work are something like standing in front of that maze. We all have problems. We all have to try and solve them, and each one of us approaches the solution in our own unique way. It is inevitable that at some point we will get stuck. What do you do when you get stuck? I usually ask myself:

• Where do I start? What's one small step I can take right now to start addressing the issue?
• Can I view it as a game or a puzzle? Would it change my approach to solving it?
• How can I be more curious about this? What's one question I can ask right now that shifts my perspective from confusion to clarity?
• Can I break it down into bite-sized pieces? What is one component of the problem that I can isolate and address separately?
• Can I ask for help? Who can I reach out to for a fresh perspective or expert insight?

If you would like to try some of these problem-solving strategies, click below to download our template.

Life is a jungle gym, not a ladder

If you have little kids, you may be familiar with this problem solving scale. A lot of educators use this tool, or something similar, to introduce new topics to children, and then gauge their comfort level with the subject. I think this is a great idea! Remember the dashboard that I was talking about in the beginning of this newsletter? This is it. The next time you are faced with a new problem, ask yourself how comfortable are you tackling the problem? There are no definitive scores, but the general guidelines are:

• EASY - at this level problems are straightforward and can be solved with minimal effort. These are the kinds of challenges that build our confidence, like organizing your desk or responding to a simple email. Recognizing and appreciating these small victories is the first step in fostering your problem-solving skills.
• MANAGEABLE - this level involves slightly more complex issues that require a bit more thought but are still within our capability to solve. For example, planning a dinner party for friends or creating a monthly budget. At this level, the importance of patience and persistence becomes evident, and it helps to build a structured approach to problem-solving.
• JUST ENOUGH - this is where the challenge matches your skillset closely. It's the sweet spot for growth and learning, similar to taking on a new project at work that aligns with your expertise. Success at this level boosts confidence and resilience, preparing you for more complex challenges ahead.
• GETTING TOUGH - at this point problems start to feel overwhelming. The solutions aren't readily apparent, and you might need to employ creative thinking or learn new skills to overcome the obstacle. An example could be managing a team with conflicting personalities or handling a crisis situation at work.
• NEED HELP - we are forced to acknowledge that some problems cannot and should not be faced alone. Whether it's dealing with a significant health problem or navigating a complicated legal matter, recognizing when to ask for help is a vital skill. These challenges help us understand the importance of vulnerability and the strength in seeking assistance.

One last thought...

We should not underestimate the power of human knowledge, ingenuity, and community. On our own we may feel frustrated, isolated, overwhelmed by the problems facing us. But if we know where to look for help, and if we have the courage to ask for help, we will find that there is no problem without a solution.

Watching Suggestion: Creative problem-solving in the face of extreme limits | Navi Radjou - Source: TedX

Navi Radjou talks about creative problem-solving the Indian way - "jugaad", also known as frugal innovation. Pioneered by entrepreneurs in emerging markets who figured out how to get spectacular value from limited resources, the practice has now caught on globally.

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These are trying times. There's a lot going on in our lives - personal and professional - and in the world around us. There are a lot of problems that need to be solved, some more urgently than others. But we don't have to do it all, and we don't have to do it alone. When you feel overwhelmed, I urge you to reach out - to friends, family, colleagues. How can you offer help if you are not willing to ask for it first?

Until next month,

Anjani

Reference:

• ​Are You Solving the Right Problem? by Dwayne Spradlin for Harvard Business Review​
• ​Six problem-solving mindsets for very uncertain times | Source: McKinsey
• ​Forget problem-solving. In the age of AI, it's problem-finding that counts by Ravi Kumar S. for World Economic Forum​