THE EFFECTIVE PROBLEMSOLVER #079
Imagine for a moment that every effort you made to solve a problem today would not see its resolution in your lifetime.
This isn’t a defeatist thought experiment but a realistic consideration.
What if the very issues we grapple with—homelessness, poverty, inequality—persist long after we are gone? Would we still swing for the fences, or would we adopt a different, perhaps more effective approach?
In today’s issue, I’m going to share three ways to think about this question: one historical, one sociological, and one scientific.
Then I’ll give three practical tips you can begin applying today.
Historical: The Greeks Knew Better
The ancient Greeks embraced a tragic worldview, seeing life as it truly is rather than through the lens of optimism.
This perspective didn’t lead them to despair but granted them a deeper, more practical wisdom. They recognized that some problems are woven into the fabric of human existence and are not meant to be completely solved but managed wisely over time.
By accepting the inevitability of tragedy, the ancient Greeks were able to channel their efforts into sustainable, incremental progress, achieving advancements that have endured as some of the most significant in history.
How might your approach to solving societal issues change if you embraced this perspective? What challenges are you facing today that could benefit from this mindset?
Sociological: Sowell’s Constrained Vision
Building on the Greeks’ understanding, modern economist Thomas Sowell offers a framework that further clarifies how we might approach persistent problems.
Sowell’s concept of the constrained and unconstrained visions provides a useful lens.
The unconstrained vision is rooted in the belief that human potential is virtually unlimited and that societal problems can be solved completely if only we find the right solutions. This vision is seductive, promising quick fixes and complete resolutions.
In contrast, the constrained vision accepts human limitations and the complexity of social issues. It recognizes that perfect solutions are unattainable and that our best bet is to manage problems through prudent, incremental steps. This vision, though less glamorous, aligns more closely with the Greeks’ tragic perspective and offers a more realistic pathway to progress.
Where in your work could you benefit from shifting from an unconstrained to a constrained vision? How might this shift influence your approach to problem-solving?
Scientific: The Nature of Complex Problems
Research on complex problems consistently shows that social issues like poverty and crime are often “wicked”—resistant to straightforward solutions and deeply interwoven with other societal factors.
Horst Rittel and Melvin Webber, who coined the term “wicked problems,” argued that such issues are never truly solved; they are at best managed.
Studies in organizational theory and public policy underscore the superiority of process-oriented approaches over solution-oriented ones.
Processes that allow for continuous learning, adaptation, and incremental improvements tend to yield better long-term outcomes than one-off solutions. This is particularly true in the realm of social issues, where the variables are numerous and the context constantly changing.
Why Processes Beat Solutions
Consider the example of homelessness.
Swinging for the fences might involve a massive investment in affordable housing with the expectation that this will end homelessness. While well-intentioned, such an approach often falls short due to unforeseen complications and changing circumstances.
A process-oriented approach, however, would involve ongoing support systems, adaptable policies, and regular assessments to understand the evolving nature of homelessness. This approach is more sustainable, as it builds resilience into the system and allows for adjustments based on real-time feedback.
Think about a complex problem you’re working on—could adopting a process-oriented approach lead to more sustainable progress?
Embracing the Tragic Wisdom
Accepting that some problems will outlast us is not a call to inaction but a call to wiser action.
By adopting a tragic worldview, we can manage societal issues more effectively. This means developing processes that are flexible, adaptive, and resilient—focused on managing problems over time rather than seeking a final, often elusive, solution.
Practical Tips for Social Sector Changemakers
1. Don’t Solve; Manage
Shift your mindset from trying to solve problems to managing them.
For example, rather than aiming to “end poverty,” focus on creating systems that alleviate it in manageable, incremental ways. This involves developing sustainable processes and systems that can handle the complexity and evolving nature of social issues. By focusing on management rather than solutions, you can create more resilient and adaptable approaches.
2. Don’t Transform; Improve by 10%
Instead of aiming for radical transformations, strive for continuous, incremental improvements.
For instance, in a project aimed at improving educational outcomes, aim to increase literacy rates by 10% rather than attempting a complete overhaul of the education system. Small, consistent enhancements can add up over time and lead to significant progress. This approach also allows for more manageable and less risky changes, making it easier to adapt to new challenges as they arise.
3. Don’t Pursue Utopian Solutions; Continuously Adapt
Recognize that utopian solutions are unrealistic and instead cultivate a culture of continuous adaptation.
Encourage your team to experiment, learn from failures, and adjust their strategies based on real-time feedback. This ongoing process of adaptation will help you stay responsive to changing conditions and better manage complex social issues.
A case in point: rather than seeking to eliminate homelessness entirely, focus on continually improving services and policies that reduce its prevalence and impact.
In the end, it is this patient, process-oriented approach that aligns with both the Greeks’ wisdom and the constrained vision of human capability. It holds the best promise of genuine, if gradual, progress for complex social problems.
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Word to the wise: my forthcoming online course – Impact OS: Decision-Making Strategies for Resolving Wicked Problems – is designed with the tragic, constrained philosophy in mind. It isn’t a one-time utopian solution, but an ongoing process that empowers you to consistently make progress under any conditions.
Through an iterative set of decision making steps and system thinking tools, Impact OS will help you navigate the complexities of social problems, ensuring that your efforts remain impactful and effective in the long run.
Keep reading The Effective Problemsolver for the latest details about its release later in 2024.