Problem Solve Using Four Perspectives

Whether you’re reading this because you’re facing a challenge, or you’re interested to know how to approach a challenge more effectively then you’re in the right place.

In this article we’re going to explore how to gain a broader understanding of any problem and solve it more skillfully using Integral Theory and Ken Wilber’s Four Quadrants model.

A CAVEAT

Before we go any further, let me clarify something important. There are no actual ‘problems’ in reality, only occurrences. Pause for a moment and really take that in.

Reality doesn’t have problems, reality is simply unfolding. Problems only exist on the inside (in the conversations you have with yourself in mind) about what’s happening on the outside.

Having said that, I’m going to use the word ‘problem’ in this article because it points to how most people relate with occurrences in reality that are not in alignment with their expectations or desires.

THE FOUR PERSPECTIVES

Integral Theory shows us that human-development depends on the ability to bring awareness to habitual and limited structures of perceiving.

If you find yourself struggling with a problem and can’t seem to find a solution, chances are you’re stuck because you’re viewing the problem from a limited perspective.

What do I mean by a limited perspective? To explain that, let’s take a look at four distinct perspectives that make up the Four Quadrants.

First-Person Perspective (Mind)

I’d like you for a moment to think about a child you know under the age of 7. From an adult’s perspective, the behaviour of children that age can seem pretty selfish – it’s as if they just think about themselves all the time right?

That’s because they do. Prior to age 7, a first-person perspective is the only view a child has. They live entirely from within their subjective experience, what they think, feel, desire, imagine etc. An amusing example of how this perspective plays out in a young child is when they play hide-and-seek and bury their head behind a pillow thinking that because they cannot see anyone else, no-one else can see them.

In mature adults, first-person perspective is expressed as clarity around goals, intentions, feelings, motives, self-sense, beliefs and so on.

Second-Person Perspective (Relating)

When we step into someone else’s shoes and view things from their eyes we are taking a second-person perspective. This developmental step forward brings empathy, the capacity to imagine what others might be experiencing. This position allows us to feel connected to and with others.

It is also in this lower left quadrant that culture exists, which is a collective agreement (spoken or unspoken) of how we do things around here. When you start a new job or move into a share house you’ll clearly experience the culture of the place for a week or two before it you becomes part of it.

Third-Person Perspective (Body)

Third-person perspective brings with it an objective perspective and ability to ‘look at’. Here one is able to think rationally and logically. To take third-person perspective is to step back, gain some distance, appreciate other perspectives, and see what they cannot see.

Fourth-Person Perspective (Social and Environmental

As the individual matures even further, fourth-person perspective becomes available. This is the capacity to see how everything fits (or doesn’t fit) together. This position enables an understanding of how wider dynamics such as environmental, social, economic, political, organisational and so on are influencing us, and we them. This systems-view is the ability to see inter-objectively.

YOUR HABITUAL PREFERENCES

Due to conditioning we learn to preference one or two of those perspectives, and dis-favour the others. Our primary preference is called our ‘native perspective’ which is the viewpoint from which we habitually view reality.

Let me share with you a simple example to illustrate how this could play out. If a group of people were brought together to work on a project, depending on their preferences the first thing that each individual would want to know would differ.

• First-person perspective might want to know if the goals, values and timing of the project matched their own and fitted their needs.
• Second-person perspective might inquire into who else would be on the team and whether there was alignment between the team members.
• Third-person perspective might be interested in what they as individuals would need to do to be part of the project.
• Fourth-person perspective might question if the current project would fit with other projects and systems already in place.

You can see how these perceptual preferences will have you seek out certain types of information whilst simultaneously ignore others.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF ALL FOUR PERSPECTIVES?

Wilbur’s Four Quadrants model illuminates that all four perspectives / all four aspects of reality are co-nascent, which literally means ‘born together’. In other words, they are constantly co-arising. It’s extremely useful to understand this because it honours the complexity of reality and allows us to confront whatever is occurring in a more skillful way than if we had only one, two or even three perspectives.

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes.” - Marcel Proust

The bottom line is, if we’re not assessing, addressing and looking from all four perspectives (even if we’re missing just one) we can be significantly diminishing our potential and vitality in a big way. And in terms or solving a problem we are limiting our capacity to understand the complexity, and therefore deal with the totality of what is occurring.

IN CONCLUSION

By using the Four Quadrants Model, problem solving can become a simple process of taking in all four perspectives. This enables you to move from a partial approach to a holistic approach that honours every part of the problem. Instead of focusing on a single outcome or aspect, you are now able to address, develop and consider all four of these significant life areas, leaving no stone unturned. By utilising all available perspectives and therefore resources for any situation, a higher likelihood of success and fulfilment is made available.

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Soo is one of Australia’s leading Developmental Coaches and specalises in working with women in the tech sector. She assists her clients to cut to the heart of any challenge, enabling choices and possibilities previously unavailable.