THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #072
“Here’s our community’s problem…Should we implement this big policy change or not?”
This is one of the most common questions people ask me.
Reminds me of when I first started as an activist.
I’d see a problem, read all the evidence I could find about it online, and then choose what I thought of as “the best solution.”
Why not implement it as soon as possible?
If it didn’t work – no problem! We could always try the second- and third-best solution.
Who could reject the idea of using evidence plus trial and error to solve the problem?
Then, I got involved in a few big policy initiatives related to employment and poverty and realized that my whole perspective ignored the most important decision-making factor: effect on the people experiencing the problem.
Today I’m going to show you how to weigh this preeminent factor with two strategies: assessing risk and considering alternatives.
Whether you’re trying to decide on the best policy to implement in your community, or thinking about the first steps you should take to address your community’s toughest problems – these strategies will help you maximize impact while minimizing the risk of harm.
Let’s dive in.
First, do no harm (by assessing risk)
When faced with the decision to implement a big policy change, it’s easy to get swept up in the allure of swift action and immediate results.
But as I discovered through my own journey as an activist, rushing into solutions without careful consideration of their potential impact can lead to unintended consequences.
It can even cause harm to those we seek to help.
Assessing risk is about recognizing that every decision we make carries consequences, and that those consequences may disproportionately affect marginalized communities.
It requires us to step back and critically examine the potential risks and benefits of our proposed interventions, considering not only their short-term outcomes but also their long-term implications.
Reasonable policies, unreasonable risks
Let’s consider, for example, a proposed policy to address housing affordability in a community through the implementation of rent control measures.
On the surface, this may seem like a reasonable approach to protect tenants from skyrocketing rents and ensure access to affordable housing.
However, upon closer examination, we discover that such policies unintentionally lead to reduced housing quality and a decrease in the overall housing stock.
The bulk of empirical evidence shows that rent control policies create disincentives for landlords to maintain and invest in their properties, leading to a decline in housing quality over time. Additionally, restrictions on rental income deter developers from investing in new housing construction – as has happened in my community – exacerbating housing shortages and driving up prices in the long run.
The risk that rent control would create these outcomes for vulnerable populations was obvious, but the idea of enacting something in the name of “justice” and against landlords was irresistible to activists.
They prioritized their own need to “do something” and be recognized as successful activists even as their actions led to worse long-term outcomes for the poor.
3 best questions to assess risk
Here are three questions you should ask to assess the risk of every potential policy solution:
- What are the potential unintended consequences of implementing this policy, especially for marginalized or vulnerable communities?
- How does the proposed policy address or mitigate potential risks, and what measures are in place to monitor and adapt to changing circumstances?
- What evidence or data supports the effectiveness of similar policies implemented elsewhere, and what lessons can we learn from their outcomes and experiences?
The opportunities beyond assessing risk
But assessing risk is only one part of the equation.
Equally important is considering alternatives—exploring different approaches and interventions that may achieve our desired outcomes while minimizing harm.
This requires creativity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.
For example, rather than relying solely on rent control to address housing affordability, we might explore alternative solutions such as increasing subsidies for low-income renters, incentivizing the construction of affordable housing through tax credits and incentives, or repealing exclusive zoning policies (as also happened in my community) to encourage mixed-income neighborhoods.
By considering a range of alternatives and their potential impacts, we can identify more effective and humane solutions to complex social problems.
No solution is perfect, so we must weigh the trade-offs for a range of solutions, with short- and long-term impacts to the vulnerable forefront in our minds.
3 best questions to generate policy alternatives
Here what you should ask when considering your range of potential actions:
- What are the underlying causes of the problem we’re trying to address, and how might alternative approaches tackle these interrelated causes more effectively?
- What policies or interventions have been successful in similar contexts or addressing similar issues, and how could we adapt or modify them to suit our specific needs?
- Are there innovative or unconventional approaches that have not been considered yet, and how might they offer new solutions or perspectives to the problem at hand?
Owning your decisions and subsequent results
Effective change making is not just about taking action—it’s about taking thoughtful and responsible action.
By assessing risk and considering alternatives, we can ensure that our efforts to address social issues are grounded in a radical pragmatism.
So the next time you’re faced with a tough decision, remember to pause, reflect, and weigh the potential risks and benefits.
Your community—and especially those most impacted by the issue—will thank you for it.
See you in two weeks!
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Whenever you’re ready, there are two ways I can help you:
→ I’m a strategic advisor for the toughest societal problems like poverty, crime and homelessness. People come to me when they want to stop spinning their wheels and get transformative, systems-level change.
→ I’m a coach for emerging and executive leaders in the social and public sectors who want to make progress on their biggest goals and challenges.
Let’s find out how I can help you become transformational.
