Tell me all about the dialogue of problems, Julie!
Ok – here goes with the dialogue of problems – as you asked so nicely!
When we are presented with a problem it can be difficult to see how and where to find creative solutions. Countless issues go unresolved because resolutions can’t be found.
Which take us to the dialogue of problems: a simple dictionary definition could talk about two parties involved in a discussion to resolve a problem – but read on – it would also say that the parties must expose their vulnerabilities and speak authentically. Importantly, and oft forgotten, the dialogue of problems also heavily relies on the art of active listening.
So why do charities often struggle to solve their problems? Perhaps because they only ever look at other charities for a solution, instead of understanding…
…the dialogue of problems
Here is a simple truth: you won’t find the answer if your search only includes organisations like your own, or if you only reach out to cohorts experiencing the same problem.
Years ago, I suggested that a sector group I was involved in reach out to different sectors (Finance and Retail I think) and get them to present some data innovations that we could use. I wasn’t suggesting we invite a prolific serial killer along, but this was the reaction I got. Perish the thought that we should seek help or input from someone who wasn’t ‘one of our own’.
However, at another event, there was a neonatal team presenting the way that they had solved their problem. They’d had an issue moving neonatal pods from one place to another at speed, because of all the leads and the mass of equipment they contained.
The neonatal team stood back and thought about the actual problem not the context. They needed to move the individual items, all together and in a hurry. Who else does that? Their answer: Formula 1 teams.
Context sometimes muddies the water, stopping you from properly seeing the problem. It’s irrelevant what your specific business is, your problem is probably not unique and is likely to have been solved by someone, but you must be open to who that someone is.
Think of it like dating!
If you always go for the bad boy with the same history of philandering and devil-may-care attitude that’s all you’re ever going to find. It’s only when you start to look at the back-runners that you’ll find the funny, dependable companion you’ve been after.
It’s just thinking outside the box, or more precisely accepting there might just be an outside the box and then being prepared to look.
For more insights – please pop over to here to find out how we could help you solve your data and fundraising – and what’s more we do it over a cup of tea with a nice biscuit or two!
