Comments on: Why Problem-Solving Doesn’t Solve Problems http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/ Making visionary community change practical Sun, 14 Mar 2010 19:15:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Armchair Change Agents | Creating the Future! http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-31007 Armchair Change Agents | Creating the Future! Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:25:42 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-31007 [...] on the frustration band-wagon.  Also interestingly (but not surprisingly if you are familiar with our work on Problem-Solving), none of those movements has created any change in the circumstances they sought to address.  [...] [...] on the frustration band-wagon.  Also interestingly (but not surprisingly if you are familiar with our work on Problem-Solving), none of those movements has created any change in the circumstances they sought to address.  [...]

]]> By: Hildy http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30930 Hildy Fri, 21 Aug 2009 04:04:45 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30930 Ken: Thanks for this very thoughtful reply. And yes, my reference to large systemic problems could equally be called messes - and often are! I look forward to our continuing the conversation. (Have you read the other parts of the post? Part 2 is here: http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/14/why-problem-solving-doesn%E2%80%99t-solve-problems-part-2/) Thanks again! HG Ken:
Thanks for this very thoughtful reply. And yes, my reference to large systemic problems could equally be called messes – and often are!

I look forward to our continuing the conversation. (Have you read the other parts of the post? Part 2 is here: http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/14/why-problem-solving-doesn%E2%80%99t-solve-problems-part-2/)

Thanks again!
HG

]]> By: Ken Homer http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30929 Ken Homer Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:41:07 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30929 Hi Hildy, I agree in principle with your central thesis that problem-solving approaches do not address the challenges of drugs, poverty, immigration, etc, that we are seeing in the world. My take on problem solving is that it does indeed solve problems - provided that the problem qualifies as a problem - bounded, solvable, discrete, etc., - and is not attempting to problem solve a mess (problems nested inside complex systems) or a wicked messes (complex systems coupled with high social complexity) because it fails to deal with the phenomena of fragmentation. This is only slightly different wording from what you offer above. Messes and wicked messes call for fundamentally different mindset, skillset and approach then what is offered by problem solving. But because we are good at problem solving, we tend to frame the world as a set of problems out there waiting to be fixed. I have my own view on how this might be more effectively remedied, but I look forward to learning from yours. Thanks for putting your thoughts out there, Ken Hi Hildy,

I agree in principle with your central thesis that problem-solving approaches do not address the challenges of drugs, poverty, immigration, etc, that we are seeing in the world.

My take on problem solving is that it does indeed solve problems – provided that the problem qualifies as a problem – bounded, solvable, discrete, etc., – and is not attempting to problem solve a mess (problems nested inside complex systems) or a wicked messes (complex systems coupled with high social complexity) because it fails to deal with the phenomena of fragmentation. This is only slightly different wording from what you offer above.

Messes and wicked messes call for fundamentally different mindset, skillset and approach then what is offered by problem solving. But because we are good at problem solving, we tend to frame the world as a set of problems out there waiting to be fixed.

I have my own view on how this might be more effectively remedied, but I look forward to learning from yours.

Thanks for putting your thoughts out there,

Ken

]]> By: Why Problem-Solving Doesn’t Solve Problems (Part 2) | Creating the Future! http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30770 Why Problem-Solving Doesn’t Solve Problems (Part 2) | Creating the Future! Wed, 15 Apr 2009 01:52:16 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30770 [...] This is Part 2 of this post. If you have not read Part 1, you will find that here. [...] [...] This is Part 2 of this post. If you have not read Part 1, you will find that here. [...]

]]> By: John Haydon http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30769 John Haydon Tue, 14 Apr 2009 21:27:44 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30769 Wow - I've never been good at math, but I totally get "zero-sum dreams". And Steven's questioning: "What would it be like if we had gratitude for what we had…… and what else can we add?? If we had gratitude for all that worked well…and…what else is possible?" These questions flip the math so that it works in everyone's favor. John Wow – I’ve never been good at math, but I totally get “zero-sum dreams”.

And Steven’s questioning:

“What would it be like if we had gratitude for what we had…… and what else can we add?? If we had gratitude for all that worked well…and…what else is possible?”

These questions flip the math so that it works in everyone’s favor.

John

]]> By: Joe Brown http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30768 Joe Brown Tue, 14 Apr 2009 18:35:00 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30768 To Nancy's question about organizations crating self-perpetuating systems rather than cease existing, I would say this is absolutely true. As I think about the organizations I have worked with, the presumption and drive towards permanence and growth as an organization vastly overshadows any consideration or conceptualization of achieving obsolescence, which would be a true mark of success. To Nancy’s question about organizations crating self-perpetuating systems rather than cease existing, I would say this is absolutely true. As I think about the organizations I have worked with, the presumption and drive towards permanence and growth as an organization vastly overshadows any consideration or conceptualization of achieving obsolescence, which would be a true mark of success.

]]> By: Steven Bowman http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30766 Steven Bowman Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:30:27 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30766 Hey Nancy, True.... What would it be like if we had gratitude for what we had...... and what else can we add?? If we had gratitude for all that worked well...and...what else is possible? If we functioned from that state of curiosity.....???? They are the Board members and executives that truly make a difference Hey Nancy,

True….

What would it be like if we had gratitude for what we had…… and what else can we add?? If we had gratitude for all that worked well…and…what else is possible?

If we functioned from that state of curiosity…..????

They are the Board members and executives that truly make a difference

]]> By: Nancy Iannone http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30765 Nancy Iannone Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:54:25 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30765 I think the idea of the best result being zero is frightening to some Community Benefit organizations. Zero means that there may no longer be a reason for the organization(s) to exist. Is it possible that without intending to, Community Benefit organizations have created a self perpetuating systems to "solve problems" rather than cease existing? How would it feel to be able celebrate that zero result and then take aim at a new challenge instead? I think the idea of the best result being zero is frightening to some Community Benefit organizations. Zero means that there may no longer be a reason for the organization(s) to exist. Is it possible that without intending to, Community Benefit organizations have created a self perpetuating systems to “solve problems” rather than cease existing?

How would it feel to be able celebrate that zero result and then take aim at a new challenge instead?

]]> By: Drew http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30764 Drew Tue, 14 Apr 2009 04:11:37 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30764 Steve, as I read this, I am reminded of the fact that nearly all airplane accidents are the result of chains of events. In general aviation, most accident chains are 7 or 8 links deep. Yet, when you read the NTSB reports, they say things like cause: uncontrolled flight into terrain. In other words, the plane spiraled into the ground. But his wasn't the cause, it was the result of who know what all? Often the accident change maps all the way back tot he day or week before the accident happened. This is the case with most problems... Most of the problems people fight to solve are results, not causes. I look forward to post tomorrow :) drew Steve, as I read this, I am reminded of the fact that nearly all airplane accidents are the result of chains of events. In general aviation, most accident chains are 7 or 8 links deep. Yet, when you read the NTSB reports, they say things like cause: uncontrolled flight into terrain. In other words, the plane spiraled into the ground. But his wasn’t the cause, it was the result of who know what all? Often the accident change maps all the way back tot he day or week before the accident happened.

This is the case with most problems… Most of the problems people fight to solve are results, not causes. I look forward to post tomorrow :)

drew

]]> By: Hildy http://hildygottlieb.com/2009/04/13/why-problem-solving-doesn%e2%80%99t-solve-problems/comment-page-1/#comment-30763 Hildy Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:36:22 +0000 http://hildygottlieb.com/?p=460#comment-30763 Hmmmm indeed, Steve! :-) I look forward to your thoughts when I post Part 2 tomorrow! HG Hmmmm indeed, Steve! :-)
I look forward to your thoughts when I post Part 2 tomorrow!
HG

]]>