Getting the Elephant Off Your Chest: A Guide to Solving Big Problems

Key Highlights

Form a Mastermind Group

• Collaborate with trusted individuals who bring diverse expertise and knowledge to tackle the issue.

• As Napoleon Hill said, “The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”

Focus on Root Cause, Not Blame

• Avoid finger-pointing and identify the underlying problem rather than chasing symptoms.

• Understand why the issue occurred to prevent it from repeating.

Implement Simple Solutions and Iterate

• Break down the problem into its simplest form to find actionable, effective solutions.

• Start solving the problem without waiting for perfection—adjust as you go.

You're sitting in a meeting… 

The 5th on the subject. It is a lot of the same stuff just a different day.  The problem is big and without a solution the company could fail.  

At the conclusion of the meeting, someone said good work everyone, we will meet again tomorrow.

There seems to be a sense of accomplishment but not with you.  It feels like you are going through a tunnel with no light at the end.  

You are back at your desk and you rehash the meeting.  You realize the group feels good about talking about the problem and pointing fingers at who caused the problem.  In fact the entire meeting was focused on whose fault it was.  

The conclusion was drawn, Fred from operations made the bad call that caused all of our problems.  Considering how big of a problem this is.  The fact that one person's decision could create this did not sit well with you.

During the next meeting, there was more talk about Fred but then you could feel it and see it in the face of the others.  The weight was heavy… Like an elephant was sitting on everyone's chests.  

Now this isn’t the typical business problem…  This one is big… You know many people have learned to turn every problem into a mountain to get the attention they want. Even if their problem amounts to an ant hill.

But this one could result in disrupting not just the company but the lives of many if not all of the people working for the company.

When you have a problem this big…. What do you do?  How do you bring it to resolution?

You might be thinking dust off the old resume…

But what if this is your company… Not something you can easily run from.

What if this is your family… Not a business at all.  You need to have a plan.  You need to have a set of steps to get the elephant off your chest.

Here is what you can do:

 Step 1: Form a Mastermind Group

We too often think we have to keep problems to ourselves.  Now this does not mean going around telling everyone your business.  It does, however, mean that you can find a few trusted people to help resolve this issue.   Form yourself a mastermind group.  These are people who trust and have the ability, knowledge and experience with the problem you are facing.  

In In Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill  a mastermind group is defined as

"The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony."

Step 2: Research the problem

So many get caught up on chasing symptoms and not looking for the actual problem.  It's like taking high blood pressure medication and never changing your diet.

It’s important to identify the root cause.  Why is your blood pressure high? (By the way, I’m not a doctor and this is not medical advice.) Is it diet, lack of exercise, are you overweight?

Dig into the problem.

Here is a side note:  This is where many people like to focus on blame.  Who is to blame?  I ask you… I beg you to not focus on a person but the problem.  If a person is to blame, it will come out in the process.

Step 3: Identify the simplest solutions

We often think complex problems require complex solutions.

This has been true throughout history.

The US spent millions of dollars to create a pen that would write in zero gravity.

The Russians used a pencil.

Don’t get caught up in the complexity of the problem.  by breaking down problems into their most basic form. A complex problem could be resolved with a simple solution.  

Eat More Salad! to continue with the blood pressure theme.

Step 4: Don’t wait for perfection.  Implement and iterate.

Waiting for the perfect solution only allows it to continue longer.  It’s important to start implementing possible solutions and watching for results. and adjusting as necessary. 

There is a good chance this problem did not happen overnight.  It will not be solved overnight either.

Implement and repeat the process until the elephant is out of the room.

No one likes being faced with problems.  However, it is certain they will arrive.  When they do, having a plan to work on them is important.  When your next elephant decides to walk into your room give these steps a try.

Until Next Time…