The mistake we often make when attempting to effect change or launch a venture is we leap to conclusions, finding solutions before we truly understand the problem. It's as if we're rushing to be the hero before we even know what the villain is. This can lead to the creation of solutions that do not address real world problems, which can be a frustrating waste of time and resources.
Too often, we think our job is to sit in a room, and the solution will magically come to us. Once we have this solution in our head, we try to persuade people to adopt it, sometimes even resorting to manipulation. But this approach is flawed and misguided. It overlooks the critical step of sense-making, of understanding the issues that block the vision of a better future from being realized.
Being humble about our sense-making is critical. Genuine truth-seeking should always take precedence over fitting a narrative. It's a trap that many fall into - constructing a narrative in their mind and then backward mapping from that to reality. Instead, we should focus on taking in as much raw data as possible, making sense of it, asking questions to those we aim to assist, and observing the obstacles they face.
Many times, people can't even explain what's preventing them from moving forward. They're so used to a certain way of life that they don't know what a better future looks like. They can't envision alternatives.
This is why we need to “apprentice with the problem.” This phrase, coined by Daniela Papi-Thornton, emphasizes the importance of understanding the problem and its context before attempting to create a solution.
Being an apprentice means spending time with the community you're trying to help, understanding their cultural context, caring for their wellbeing, and genuinely listening to what they need. This reduces risk significantly because, once you understand their problem, you're more likely to develop a solution they will adopt. You're no longer trying to force a solution upon them. Instead, you're offering a solution born from their needs and context.
Consider this: solving a problem that doesn't really exist is a terrible waste of time. You're investing time, money, and effort into something that brings no value to anyone. So why not focus on problems that you or your community genuinely face? As humans, we share more similarities than we think. A problem that's painful to you might be the same for thousands, or even millions, of others.
So, here's the takeaway: Apprentice with the problem. Be a humble sense-maker. Don't allow your mind to construct false narratives about what the world needs. Generate life experiences. Spend time in the communities you wish to help. Understand the context of their community. Don't make assumptions. And if multiple people identify a problem and point towards a solution, chances are, it's something worth building, especially if no one else is. This is the path to impactful change and successful ventures.