What’s the Real Problem?

problem, solve

What’s the Real Problem?

problem, solve

I have a tendency to mix up sayings or get them backwards. I’m talking about things like “An apple a day will keep the doctor away” or “Measure twice and cut once”.  I like to use them to make a point or to give an example, so you would think I could actually remember them.

What’s my problem? I could say it’s my memory or my brain can only hold so much or they weren’t used at home growing up. These may be symptoms but they are not the “real problem”.

The real problem is that I am more interested in what they are trying to convey than the actual words to get it right, in other words it’s not important to me to get the wording perfect as it is for people to understand what they mean.

What’s the real problem you’re facing?

As you can imagine I hear many problems with employees (it’s an occupational hazard) and I hear the frustrations people are having in trying to deal with the situations. For some, the problem they are experience is really the problem – for example speaking rudely to a client on the phone. Doesn’t matter what is happening on the other side, you just don’t do it.

Many times the problem is not what you think it is. For example, I have been hearing over the last couple of years of people complaining about people who leave work as soon as the clock strikes 5pm. When I ask them why this is a problem, after all if that’s closing time why not, I start to get the real answer.

Admittingly, it takes several questions to get to the “real” problem which is their work is not done for the day. Now we have a real problem to solve, and can start determining the cause is it productivity, work load, interest, ambition, etc. This is a conversation we can start having with the person to see why this is happening on a regular basis.  Trust me having a conversation with someone about not leaving at 5pm is worthless and will only get them angry.

Ask yourself, “what is the real problem” before you try to solve it, fix it or change it.

Not sure what is happening with your people? Getting frustrated by the same situations over and over again? Call me and let’s see if we can help you determine the real problem and find a fix that will last.