UXL Blog

“If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” –Albert Einstein

We are a nation of quick actions, and we often expect instantaneous results. We want the solution yesterday, and that sometimes prompts us to make hasty decisions—decisions that may not work in the long term. But what if we flipped this way of thinking on its head and intentionally spent more time considering the problem than going for the solution? How might that change things?

Traditional Problem-Solving Approaches

As I move deeper into retirement mode and officially step away from my career, I recognize that many skills we learn in the business world apply to everyday life (see my latest post on this topic). That’s certainly true with problem-solving. We all encounter issues, whether in the office, while taking a post-retirement RV trip, or navigating issues with a friend group or with family members. Whatever the case, it’s possible to engage in strategic problem-solving that goes beyond your impulse to fix things NOW.

If you’re like me, you enjoy brainstorming sessions. You’re energized by the creative process where you toss ideas onto a white board and see which ones stick. This is typical “yellow energy” behavior (see my post on the four Insights Discovery color energies to learn more). People like me enjoy spontaneous problem-solving, talking through difficulties, and offering off-the-cuff solutions. We also tend to adopt whichever solution seems like the best option without overthinking it or plunging too deeply into the analytics.

People on the other end of the spectrum (those who tend to lead with more blue energy) are not terribly fond of this method. They like a more analytical approach…and if a solution is offered, they will examine it closely to determine whether or not it might be a viable option.

Neither method is wrong, but both are lacking something in their approach. Some experts argue that focusing too much on solutions is the wrong way to go about problem-solving in the first place. They claim that you (or your team) will ultimately arrive at a better solution if you live in the problem for a while.

Let the Problem Marinate

The thinking behind this claim goes like this: You can’t really come up with a good solution until you understand the problem inside and out. So, instead either of tossing out whichever ideas pop into your head OR getting analytical with potential solutions, this method calls for everyone to take a step back and really examine the problem in front of them.

Author and Stanford professor, Tina Selig, calls this approach “frame storming.” She believes that if you want to unlock innovative solutions, you have to “fall in love with the problem.” Get to know it inside and out. Ask the tough questions that get to the heart of the issue.

By spending more time considering the problem, you are more likely to take into account all the factors that are at play. Who is affected? How? Does this particular problem create other problems? Would one type of solution only partially solve the problem or, perhaps, solve it for a short period of time?

This approach forces everyone to slow down and consider the dilemma in front of them, before taking action.

So, next time you are faced with a sticky problem, try “frame storming.” Spend more time immersed in the issue at hand before moving to a solution. This way of thinking can help you in all aspects of your life, whether professional or personal.

MARGARET SMITH IS A CAREER COACH, AUTHOR, INSIGHTS® DISCOVERY (AND DEEPER DISCOVERY) LICENSED PRACTITIONER, AND FOUNDER OF UXL. SHE HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED CAREER OR PERSONAL GUIDANCE.

Tags: Margaret Smith professional speaker, Margaret Smith Minneapolis career coach, problems before solutions, sit with the problem, slow problem solving, problem solving approach