As the French cartoon characters Shadoks used to say, “If there’s no solution, it’s because there’s no problem.”
We’d rather say: if you don’t have a good explanation, it might be because you haven’t identified the right problem!
Before diving headfirst into finding the best way to explain a tough decision, take the time to thoroughly analyze it first.
A well-prepared decision is halfway to being accepted
Analyzing a difficult situation means considering all the factors that may have contributed to its emergence: prior events, external stakeholders, and contextual elements… However, articulating the problem right isn’t always enough to reach the right decision. It’s just as important to seek inspiration beyond the immediate context.
Start by gathering facts and data : Numbers, impacts, testimonials—concrete arguments leave less room for doubt. The stronger your evidence, the more persuasive your case will be.
Seven ideas to make sure you solve the right problem
It’s tempting to rush headfirst to identify a problem so you can find the quickest solution. But it may mean that you could end up drowning in a flood of biases that will taint your understanding of the situation. How can you formulate the problem correctly and find the best possible answer?
Step into your audience’s shoes
What objections might they raise? Prepare clear and rational responses to address resistance before it even surfaces.
Finally, structure your message: go straight to the point, keep it simple, and avoid jargon. For example: “Here’s the situation, here’s our decision, and here’s why.”
How can you make reframing a problem more acceptable?
The first step in problem solving is to make sure you define the problem correctly. In addition, your employees need to agree to the exercise, which is often seen as a waste of time or as undermining their judgment.
What’s Your Problem? : To Solve Your Toughest Problems, Change the Problems You Solve
By Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg, Harvard Business Review Press, 2020