Unbox Opportunities!
And quite literally!
Ever noticed the infatuation with solving problems? Its a very self gratifying, romanticized view, of themselves, to people. When someone claims ability to solve problems - they probably view themselves as a dame or a knight in swashbuckling armour, saving a problem in stress.
To me though, the word 'problem' is a reminder of the Physics fracas that I never wanted to solve. Or the math magician I would become, often solving complex calculus questions. More convoluted the question, greater the adrenaline. But the word 'problem' was always a put off. It insinuated a need and an unrequited criticality, which I also thought was useless drama.
Recently, I have however, to my surprise, seen mercury rise in its infatuation of problems. At a recent seminar, a young leader preached... If you will not solve your problems today... I obviously snoozed off.
I woke up thinking about opportunities. The first one was a few steps away, freedom from a young leader's rose tinted glasses, that glorified problem solving. The second opportunity was to start tweeting live about problems we're trying to solve.
To me the biggest problem is - boxed Opportunities!
Honestly, If Coke had continued competing against Pepsi, trying to solve the problem of strengthening competition, it would have burnt out many years ago. While obviously Coke competes with Pepsi, it did realize a decade ago there was a much larger opportunity in the thirst market, than competing with Pepsi. Coke gained much ground thereafter, while Pepsi was caught boxed inside problems thrown at them by the competition.
The operative word is opportunity. Take Apple of Microsoft for an example. Did they problem solve to become what they are or did they target large play-fields of opportunities.
In contrast, take Yahoo! as an example. The company kept trying to solve its problems through intensifying marketing spends on its fast becoming obsolete products, people measures etc. etc. When they did invest in opportunities, such as alibaba they thrived. But largely, in the last decade of becoming $4.8 Bn from $125 Bn, I don't remember a turnaround story driven by opportunities.
Here is my belief on opportunities. One could keep solving problems, winning the little battles, removing weeds or one could really solve for the future, explore new opportunities.
Opportunities favor evolution, future, whereas solving problems cures the complexities of your fast becoming past.
Of course, I'm not saying you shouldn't solve problems. You should solve those problems that come in the way of your opportunities. Define your opportunities before you set out problem solving. Very often you will realize that problems have a way of taking care of themselves and the ones that cant take care of themselves, get decimated by future opportunities.
Working on a transformation project a few years ago, I was asked a zealous question by an overzealous leader... what problems does your program solve?
My answer? It doesn't. It un-boxes new opportunities.
Senior Consultant, Customer Strategy & Business Design at Monitor Deloitte
8 年Very well written. Absolutely a good read!
Vertical Head - EdTech Consumer Business | New Business Development, Key Account Management
8 年Intriguing thoughtful argument, some will agree, some will not again depends what they wish to do, to solve a problem in hand or look for fresh air
Global Talent Acquisition I NMIMS I [email protected] I I build things from Scratch and love 0-1 journeys
8 年I'd say it more depends on your Outlook , how you see and perceive things . Would like to borrow arvind's example of half filled Glass of water . Opportunity is the water left and problem is the half empty glass . A more positive approach is required , you can't solve simultaneous equations if you don't know how to solve a linear equation . Running away from a problem would not get you the required solution .A little more analysis and patience would do !
CHRO | COO | Talent | Culture | Transformation
8 年it goes back tosomething more fundamental in ou education syatem too though. There is little emphasis on exploration. The accent is to solve a certai
Recruitment | Talent Advisor | Change Management Enthusiast | Diversity & Inclusion Flag-bearer | ISB GMP Co'22 | Caregiver to an Autistic boy
8 年To me its a reflection of an age old sentiment... Is your glass half full or half empty. One who sees it half empty sees it as a problem and the other sees is as an opportunity!