Re-frame the problem
(Scott) Was just listening to National Public Radio and heard a great bit on automobiles and emissions. The commentator offered a simple principle - when it comes to pollution, automobiles are not the problem. Oil is the problem.
We so often focus our ire on automobiles (e.g. SUVs are heavy polluters!) This particular commentator pointed out that cars are not the problem... they are merely an enabler. Oil is the source of pollution. Cars (even SUVs) are the solution - if (when) they exclusively use alternative fuels, we curb pollution.
One additional point... the commentator noted that even if we all drove Priuses, we would not have solved the problem, as we'd still be 100% dependent on oil (A Prius isn't going anywhere with an empty gas tank).
It was a reminder for me that we often get swept up in problems and zero in on symptoms rather than the source. What's a big busines challenge you are working on? Can you re-frame the problem to get at the heart of the matter?
We so often focus our ire on automobiles (e.g. SUVs are heavy polluters!) This particular commentator pointed out that cars are not the problem... they are merely an enabler. Oil is the source of pollution. Cars (even SUVs) are the solution - if (when) they exclusively use alternative fuels, we curb pollution.
One additional point... the commentator noted that even if we all drove Priuses, we would not have solved the problem, as we'd still be 100% dependent on oil (A Prius isn't going anywhere with an empty gas tank).
It was a reminder for me that we often get swept up in problems and zero in on symptoms rather than the source. What's a big busines challenge you are working on? Can you re-frame the problem to get at the heart of the matter?
posted by ROInnovation at 7:08 AM
1 Comments:
Excellent article to get the gears turning on where the "tipping point" of a problem exactly is.
As an addendum on some questions to ask to reach the reframe:
I believe that in any business regardless of your title you must walk into work each day asking "What is the reality of the situation?" and "What am I pretending not to know?." Here's why; reality doesn't care what you think only what is.
Ex from Commentator:
You think:
Prius=Good for the environment
Reality:
Your still 100% dependent on oil.
What are you pretending not to know?
Now it's time to take action on whatever that pesky problem is!
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