Big Problem? Don’t Panic—Use This 4-Step Approach Instead

Key Highlights

1. 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.”

2. 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.

3. 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.

Imagine...

You're sitting in yet another meeting about the same problem. The air is thick with tension, and as the discussion circles around in endless loops, you realize something—no real progress is being made. 

Just talk… 

James is saying the same thing he said yesterday…  or was it two days ago? It's hard to keep up anymore but you know what you are in for. 

More finger pointing…

More raised voices... 

But no actual solutions. 

You look around the room and see it in everyone’s eyes—like passengers stuck on a never-ending train ride with no idea when they’ll reach their destination.

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 group zeroes in on Fred from operations, pinning the entire catastrophe on one bad call. But something doesn’t sit right with you—could one decision really have created a crisis this big?

During the next meeting, everyone struggles to walk into the room as if there was an elephant filling all of the empty space.  Here we go again..

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: Eating an Elephant is hard alone get some help

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: Find Your inner 5 year old

Young kids are notorious for their one word question that drives everyone crazy.  

You guessed it.  Why?

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… 

No, 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.

Find your inner 5 year old and ask Why at least five times to find the actual cause of the problem.  I promise you it will not be that Fred made a decision that took down the whole company.

Step 3: Don’t create a magic pen when a pencil will do

Too often, we believe bigger problems require even bigger solutions, but simplicity often wins. Next time, ask yourself: Am I designing a million-dollar solution when ten-dollars will do?

Trying to solve a big problem with an overcomplicated solution is like designing a pressurized pen to write in space, when a pencil will do.  (really happened) 

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.

When you are facing a big problem, it is important to leave the blame and the elephant outside the room.

✅Take your time and get the right people in the room. 

✅Use curiosity and not blame to truly identify the problem.  

✅Look for simple solutions.

Your next big problem might not be as big as you think—if you tackle it the right way. Will you take action or keep talking about it?

Until Next Time…