When you confront a problem, one of the most important things you can do is ensure you are asking the correct questions. Too often we dive in to solving a problem the moment it is presented, but quite frequently, that will not lead to an optimal solution. Sometimes it doesn’t even solve the problem at all! Instead, step back from the problem and ask a few questions.
- What are you trying to accomplish? (or, what is the desired result?)
- Why is this important now?
- Who should be tackling this issue (and how can I/we help them to do so)?
By asking these and similar questions, you can determine if you are attacking the real root cause of a problem, the right problem, or potentially even something you don’t need to worry about at all. This takes only a moment, and can save so much.
Scott, this is a lesson that I learned from watching you work!