THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #084 When I first started working on complex social issues, I believed deeply in the power of control. Whether it was through policy development, lobbying, or large-scale fundraising, I had the instinct to get all the right pieces in place, push hard, and force change. I thought that with enough resources and […]
Why Letting Go is Sometimes the Best Strategy Read More »
THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #082 When solving the world’s biggest problems, it’s easy to fall into the trap of breaking them into smaller, manageable pieces—optimize one aspect, get the best result, and move on. This approach, popular in the effective altruism movement, seems efficient. But what happens when focusing on a single part leads to unintended
The Cost of Narrow Focus: Why Optimizing Problems Backfires Read More »
THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #080 In the social sector, we often find ourselves relying on large-scale investments to address complex problems. Whether it’s pouring billions into housing programs or expanding healthcare initiatives, the assumption is that bigger budgets lead to better outcomes. But what if we’ve been missing the real opportunities for change? What if the
More Money or More Strategic? (Hint: Think Leverage) 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 #076 For many years, I worked on initiatives to fight unemployment, with a focus on training low-income workers for jobs with the highest forecasted growth. Our approach seemed perfect—matching people with the jobs employers most desperately needed to fill. It felt like we were making a real difference. But then the market
How to Build Antifragile Solutions in Uncertain Times Read More »
