THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #086 In investigative journalism, the phrase ‘follow the money’ isn’t just a cliché—it’s a reality check. Similarly, for anyone tackling big, complex problems, knowing where funding originates, where it flows, and where it doesn’t reach can be one of the most powerful insights. If you’ve been following along, we’ve been exploring the […]
How to boost influence by visualizing the money Read More »
THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #077 Most people in the social sector see tough issues and spend their time fixated on solutions. Take student debt, for example. Advocates focus on debt forgiveness without addressing why graduates can’t repay their loans or how interest-free money has dramatically driven up the price of college. This fixation on a solution
Why Fixating on Solutions is a Big Mistake Read More »
THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #065 As dedicated professionals in the social sector, it’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that our passion, hard work, and time investment alone will be enough to bring about meaningful change. We convince ourselves that caring deeply and working tirelessly will inevitably lead us to solutions. However, it’s not
Turbocharge Your Impact with a 20-Min Practice Routine Read More »
In today’s issue, I want to show you how to analyze and engage stakeholders using three tools. If you can successfully manage diverse stakeholders involved in complex problems like homelessness and crime, you’ll dramatically increase your influence and boost your chances of positive impact. The problem is that most people don’t think about stakeholders in
TEP #013: Three tools to maximize support and defend against threats Read More »
This week’s tip: If you don’t have deep problem understanding, you’re likely solving the wrong problem. I’m going to show you how to structure a complex social problem like homelessness. In just three steps you’ll be able to apply Einstein’s insight: “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking
TEP #004: How To Solve The Right Problem Read More »
