The Practice
The ability to solve problems is a core skill for people at all stages of life. When an infant recognizes hunger, they call out for food as an instinctual way of solving that problem. If an adult recognizes that a cooking surface is hot, they put on a glove to solve the problem of burning their hand. We are all constantly solving, whether we’re figuring out what goes on the other side of the equals sign, or just figuring out what to eat for dinner.
Yet some scenarios require a more intentional approach to help us recognize what a suitable solution might look like. This tool is about looking at patterns of “problem” behavior and coming up with action steps to address the root causes and break the pattern.
The Language
Root Cause: What is at the center of the problem?
Control: What is in our control in relation to the problem? What is outside of our control?
Listening: In order to solve problems as a group, we need to establish an environment that emphasizes listening.
Vision: What would it look like if the problem were solved?
Brainstorm: While many might argue that there are certainly bad ideas, in a true robust brainstorming session, there are no bad ideas—all ideas are (at least initially!) accepted.
The method starts by identifying the problem at hand. This can be an embodied experience that begins with taking a couple of deep breaths to become settled and reflective. For a young child, the caregiver may need to really steer this step by considering, “What is my child experiencing right now? What do they want out of this?” For our older children, this can take the form of a question: “What problem do I need to figure out? How would I define it?”
Next, envision what it would look like if the problem were solved. For example, if the problem is consistently difficult mornings, we might create a vision of what an ideal morning would look and feel like.
Then, identify possible action steps that would move you closer to your version of what a solution would look like. It can be helpful to articulate or even visualize these steps together.
After identifying possible solutions, pick action steps from the brainstormed list and test them out to see if they help to solve the original problem.
Lastly, reflect and check for effectiveness. Did it work? Are there other steps needed?
Believe it or not, this series of steps can even work for adults too! Try it out and watch as your list of problems shrinks and your list of solutions magically grows.
Comments