Setting the Frame: Separating Problem Definition from Problem-Solving

Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale "The Emperor's New Clothes" is a story rich in wisdom about the dangers of vanity, pride, and the fear of appearing foolish. The story revolves around an emperor who cares more about his appearance and clothing than anything else. Two swindlers arrive at the city, claiming to be weavers who can create the most magnificent clothes, with a special quality: the clothes are invisible to anyone who is unfit for their position or hopelessly stupid.

The emperor hires the weavers, and they set to work, pretending to weave the fabric and make the clothes, all the while pocketing the gold and silk they were given. The emperor sends his ministers to check on the progress, and each of them, not wanting to admit they cannot see the clothes for fear of being labeled unfit or stupid, praise the beauty of the garments.

Finally, the emperor himself goes to see the clothes, and though he sees nothing, he also pretends to admire them, afraid of appearing unfit for his position. He then proceeds to "wear" the non-existent clothes in a grand procession through the town. The townspeople, also not wanting to appear stupid, praise the emperor's new clothes until a child cries out, "But he isn't wearing anything at all!"

Now, before we point and laugh at the emperor's predicament, consider how often we find ourselves in similar situations. We let others define problems, situations, or opportunities for us without really engaging our critical thinking skills. The result? Embarrassing outcomes, squandered resources, and missed chances.

Just think about it, there are parallels around us all over. We outsource so much of our thinking at work to consultants and vendors. We let them tell us what the problem is or where opportunities for our business lies, when in fact we are in the best position to answer those questions, provided we are willing to think through the issue at hand. Even in our personal lives, we are prone to this folly as we let the "experts" think for us. Few years back, I let a financial advisor think and plan on my behalf and signed up for an expensive twenty-five-year investment plan bundled in with an insurance product because I was told that I have to plan for my retirement and my son's college education. The opportunity cost of hard-earned money lost to the plan over the following three years still hurts. It wasn't until I penciled in the math myself that I pulled the plug on the plan.

The lesson here is clear: don't be an emperor. Think for yourself, question assumptions, and ensure you fully grasp the situation at hand before hopping on the bandwagon. By doing so, you'll be better equipped to identify and solve the real problems, manage situations effectively, and seize genuine opportunities.

This brings us to the crucial role of framing in problem-solving. How we frame a problem, situation, or opportunity sets the course for the solutions or approaches we consider. Frequently, the first issue or opportunity presented to us isn't the one we should be focusing on. So, how can we boost our odds of tackling the right challenge? Two simple steps:

• Never let someone else dictate what the problem, situation, or opportunity is.
• Give yourself some space between defining the issue and rushing into action.

By consciously separating problem definition from problem-solving, we give ourselves time and space. This pause allows us to step back, reflect deeply, and question the assumptions that others are making in their positioning. It's in this moment of clarity that we can escape the treacherous pitfalls of hasty, emotion-driven decision-making.

When we're caught up in signaling or the heat of the moment, it's all too easy to jump to conclusions, to accept the first problem definition that comes our way, and to charge headlong into solving the wrong issue. But by creating distance, we grant ourselves the perspective needed to see the situation for what it truly is.

The most critical skill in our decision-making process is our ability to think critically, to analyze the situation from multiple angles, and to challenge the status quo. This doesn't mean we can't seek help from others, such as experts in the field, but ultimately, the thinking and conclusions must be our own. We can gather insights and opinions from those with more experience or knowledge, but we must process that information through our own lens of understanding. This approach also fosters a sense of accountability because, at the end of the day, we have to live with the decisions we make. It's this commitment to independent, rigorous thought, combined with the wisdom to know when to seek help, that separates the true problem solvers from those who merely follow the crowd.

To put this principle into practice, when confronted with a problem, situation, or opportunity, ask yourself these key questions:

• What conditions would need to be in place for this issue or opportunity not to exist?
• Is what I'm seeing a symptom of a larger problem, or is it the core issue itself?
• Am I addressing the fundamental challenge, or am I getting bogged down by secondary concerns?
• Will my approach withstand the test of time, or will I find myself back at the starting line before long?
• If I'm collaborating with others, are we aligned on what the real problem, situation, or opportunity is, or are we just agreeing on the next steps?

Keep in mind, until everyone is on the same page about the core challenge, and that challenge strikes at the heart of the matter, we'll be stuck playing an endless game of whack-a-mole with symptoms.

So, the next time someone rushes to you with a problem, channel your inner wise child from the story who called out the emperor. Don't just accept their framing; take a beat to think it through. By zeroing in on the root issue before leaping into action, you'll be amazed at how much more effective your efforts will be.

Instead of constantly putting out fires, you'll be able to extinguish the source. Instead of chasing every glittering opportunity, you'll know which ones truly shine.

And instead of scrambling to get everyone on board after the fact, you'll have the whole team aligned and ready to tackle the real challenge from the get-go.

In the end, effective problem-solving comes down to thinking independently and defining challenges accurately. Embrace the role of the wise child from the story and question the invisible assumptions that may be clouding the real issue. Are we seeing the situation clearly, or like the emperor, accepting what others tell us?