
TL;DR
People often respond to problems in ways that do not involve direct solutions, such as pushing problems around or preserving them. These behaviors can stem from local optimization efforts within organizations, where individuals focus on immediate tasks rather than the broader system.
✦ Why It Matters
Evaluate and adjust incentive structures within your organization to encourage holistic problem-solving rather than local optimization.
Key Takeaways
Full Summary
Consultants frequently encounter problems that have escalated to a point where intervention is necessary. Beyond simply solving these issues, there are three notable responses: pushing problems around, preserving problems, and promoting new problems.
Pushing problems around occurs when solutions in one area create issues in another, often seen in large organizations. Preserving problems involves stakeholders who benefit from the existence of the problem, making it crucial to identify and include them in any resolution plan.
Promoting new problems highlights the idea that solving one issue often leads to the emergence of another, emphasizing the ongoing nature of problem-solving. A consultant's role is to recognize these dynamics and manage expectations about the permanence of problems.
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