How do we solve a problem? This seems to be the simplest of the questions yet it is not so. This is also the most often asked question if we take the essence of all the questions. I am reminded by the words of a great man who once said that if you can write a problem clearly and concisely, then you have almost solved half of the problem.

This to a certain extent is a wise observation on the issue of problem solving but I would like to expand it further. From my own experiences I can vouch that it is imperative to write down your problems in as simple and understandable a way as possible but this would still not be enough. Though this step can be the first step towards problem solving, the key step is something else.

My experience tells me that the most important step in problem solving is writing down the “root of the problem” in the clearest of the terms and in the simplest of the functional languages. Even if the roots of the problem require us to delve deep into the past, so be it. Unless we do not grasp the enormity, expanse and the depth of the problems we would not be in a position to offer concrete solutions.

I would like to confess here that the deeper the roots of the problem the more difficult it would be to solve it. Further my experience says that those problems with many stakeholders require much energy and effort to arrive at the solution. But there are also problems which have a vast expanse in the sense that it affects almost all aspects of the functioning of the entity.

As we progress in our life we would realise that there are certain problems which have both depth and multiplicity of stakeholders as well as the expanse and vastness attached to it. Let me be clear that these are some of the biggest problems to solve in our life. Such problems require leadership of the highest order to solve it. Patience is one key element in leadership we must have when we solve any higher degree of the problem.

Though many may say that if we go into the roots of the problems then it may cost us time and energy. I would advise that it is still worth doing so. I have always preferred this method of problem solving. But sagacity demands that I must also speak about the other aspect of this method also. Sometimes our probe into the root of the problem may result in a waste of time but for the important problems it is a must. It is solely our decision how much deeper in the root of the problem we want to go. This is purely a leadership call and it does show the depth and wisdom of any leadership who is trying to solve the problem.

The time spent in understanding the root of the problem will actually be the time saved in unnecessary wandering in darkness for the solutions. When we do not understand the problem we start treating it superficially and this I call as “wandering in the darkness”. The time, energy and the resources wasted while “wandering in the darkness” can be saved if we understand the “root of the problem”.

Wisdom tells us that without knowing the genesis of a problem we can never understand the true character and nature of the problem. I always believe that the deeper the root of the problem the higher the efforts and sagacity it will require from our side to solve it.

My overall understanding is that once we understand the root of the problem we understand the solutions to the problems. It's like saying that “if we know the root of the tree we understand the tree”.

I hope you all agree with me ?

By:

Shahnawaz Qasim, IPS

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