The Problem With Your Solution
You've been skipping the most important step.
I spent most of my career busting my ass trying to make people happy.
We’ll get to the problem with THAT in some future posts, but a headline teaser is that the lure of getting recognition for my hard work, feeling validated for what I was producing, along with the fear of looking like I wasn’t doing “enough,” often kept me in a manic-type of hyper-production.
And in some of my roles, with some of my managers, “production” was all that mattered. What I produced maybe even landed me some promotions.
But when I became the leader of an HR function in a scaling, high stakes, equity-centered organization, production became something altogether different, ambitious, and really tough to achieve. The goals became about building a strong culture where everyone— of all backgrounds— could thrive.
I often spun my wheels, and did everything from coming up with solutions on my own, to throwing spaghetti at the wall with too many solutions, or letting other people dictate what should be done.
I have a core memory of sitting in a leadership team meeting, agenda in hand, mapping out to everyone how we were going to evolve our performance management system— and watching a profound look of confusion (frustration, even) wash across the room. As people began to ask questions, one person said “we need a new competency model.” Another said “this is already too complex, why are you changing it?” And a kind soul leaned in across the table, just smiling, cheering me on despite it all.
But people were irritated. And I walked out of that meeting feeling like I’d failed— and I couldn’t quite name why.
Everyone had a different opinion on the problem, and therefore a different say in what they thought would work. No one seemed satisfied, including me. I felt out of my element, and honestly, incompetent.
Here’s what that costs you: unnecessary conflict, distracted teams, and ultimately, an urgent pace that makes impact feel impossible.
Misalignment on the problem will always create misalignment on the solution. Every time.
My manager at the time introduced me to a quote Albert Einstein is reported to have said: “If I had an hour, I would spend 55 minutes defining the problem and 5 minutes on getting to the solution.”
It changed everything about how I lead, consult, and coach. If we’ve worked together in the past ten years, you’ve probably heard me repeat it.
So I offer this to you if you’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or daunted. Or if your teammates are bitter and fatigued. Or if your engagement scores are not great. Can you tell it was hard?!
Before you map the solution, make sure you and your key stakeholders can agree on what you’re actually trying to solve, not the objective (that’s different)— the problem. That’s the step I skipped.
Don’t skip it.
I spent years generating solutions nobody asked for. Turns out the work was never the problem. The problem was the problem.
And this advice is a hill I will die on.
In radical hope,
Lynnae
P.S. In my next post, I’ll offer you a framework that’s worked for me when solving big, high-stakes problems. More to come!
Do you have landscapers or other workers at your home who could be racially profiled and targeted by ICE?
A neighbor shared an idea I haven’t been able to stop thinking about: let them know they’re welcome to come inside your home if ICE shows up. If you work from home, you can keep a door unlocked while they’re there. If you’re not home, leave word about where to find a key.
This is one layer of protection— alongside making sure they have accurate information about their rights.
This is what using your home— and your privilege— looks like. This moment calls for courage. Use it.
I judge most music by how my body reacts. Do I get goosebumps? Do I want to sing along? Do I sense yearning? A true hallmark is if it makes me want to sign along and/or makes my shoulders shimmy (if you’ve seen this classic move of mine, you know).
Some people in my life are not fans of the new Harry Styles’ album, Kiss All the Time, Disco Occassionally (I will reveal no names but one of them is one of my two daughters, and it’s not the youngest one… ;)) My favorite song is “Dance No More”… if it doesn’t make your shoulders shimmy, I’d be shocked! Also, it includes the best lines that don’t seem to relate to the song at all, but I don’t care.
“Respect! Respect you mother!”
Special shout-out to Carol, Vivian, Katie, Megan, Shane, Bobbi, Jenn, Terri, Mindy, Beth, Michelle, Nicole, Adam, Heather, Alli, Andrea, Jill K, Audra, Sandy, Kate, Sarah, Holly, Tiffany, and Mark for becoming paid subscribers; I am so deeply grateful.
Thank you to everyone who has chosen to be here. I welcome and crave your input and reflections.
