Problems

First, figure out what type of problem you are solving.

Too many times, founders will just rush in trying to resolve the issue as soon as possible without thinking that this may just cause a bigger problem later if they don’t identify what is the matters at hand.

This is what I usually do, take a breath, clear the mind, and identify the right type that will help me frame up in the right direction:

Is the problem a simple one? How simple is it? Is there only one solution to this ‘simple’ problem?

Is it more complicated than I anticipated? How deep is the rabbit hole that I may have to dig myself out?

A structural problem? Where it may be out of my control but a chain reaction from external factors?

A communication problem? Where both parties or more don’t fully understand what is at play and assumptions are made and activities are executed?

A technology problem? This happens more often than we know and especially if you are working with different teams in different countries.

A political problem?

A leadership problem? Are you the problem in the first place? More than usual, as a leader you didn't make the situation clear enough for others to execute.

A design problem? A budget problem?

Unless you know what type of problem you’re solving, your solution will be wrong, no matter how well you seem to solve it.

So take a breath, clear the mind, and identify the right type that will help me frame up in the right direction.