Don't Create Problems, Learn to Solve Them

"The problem is not the problem; the problem is your attitude about the problem." — Captain Jack Sparrow

The only problem creator I like is Larry David in "Curb Your Enthusiasm."

Once, I worked with a developer who had an extraordinary ability to find problems. It was as if he had a radar that only worked to detect everything wrong with each project. He would come to meetings with phrases like: "I'm worried that...", "I'm afraid that...", and my favorite, "It can't be done because..." The thing is, he always saw problems but never offered solutions.

Problem-solving is an essential skill when it comes to creating digital products.You need to identify and address challenges to make things work. But there's a very fine line between constructive problem-solving and getting lost in a swamp full of them.

Moreover, people who create problems focus on exploiting cognitive biases, magnifying small issues until they seem enormous, as if a giant is about to crush you.They manipulate fear and anxiety to influence behavior. It’s about someone cunning who exaggerates the smallest problem into an insurmountable challenge. How can you not be afraid when it seems like the end of the world?

Constantly finding problems is like a dark force tempting you down the path of doom. Instead of seeing challenges as opportunities, you see them as imminent disasters. Every obstacle becomes a reason to give up, and the excitement of creating something new fades away.

Don't create problems, learn to solve them

Going back to our front-end developer from the beginning. Remember him? The one who was a master at crushing ideas? Well, I know his opposite. In my team, there's a designer who doesn't shy away from problems; she embraces them with open arms:

Instead of saying "I'm worried that...", she says "I'm curious about how we can..."

Instead of saying "I'm afraid that...", she says "I'm eager to find a solution for..."

Instead of saying "It can't be done because...", she says "Let's explore different approaches to make this possible..."

She not only elevates the quality of her work but also boosts team morale by creating an environment with growth opportunities. She is the team's heroine, bringing innovation and progress to the table.

So, let me ask you, who would you rather work with? The one who seeks problems or the one who finds opportunities? The fearful or the brave? The villain or the hero?Don't create problems, learn to solve them.

You can read the original article published on Jorge Valencia's blog on Medium.

Fostering a Problem-Solving Mindset

Problem-solving is a superpower that can transform mere mortals into bold and innovative individuals. When you adopt this mindset, you gain the psychological benefits of greater self-efficacy and motivation.

But these people don't stop there; they embrace challenges with a growth mindset, always seeking opportunities to learn and grow. They thrive amid challenges, knowing that every obstacle is an opportunity to improve their skills.

Now, let's talk about how to defeat that problem-generating monster and embrace the hero within us who solves them. It's all about changing our mindset and approach in digital product development. Here are some practical strategies:

• Refocus Challenges: Instead of seeing problems as obstacles, consider them as opportunities to exercise your problem-solving skills. It's like a puzzle waiting to be solved, and who doesn't love a good puzzle?
• Make Them Small: Tackling large challenges by breaking them down into smaller tasks will make them seem less overwhelming and not as big.
• Embrace Curiosity: Curiosity almost killed my cat Pancho when he jumped off the balcony. But curiosity isn't always bad; it also creates problem-solvers when facing issues (like my cat, who always finds a way to break house rules). Be curious about the problems you encounter, and you'll find yourself eager to solve them.
• Be Agile: Agile methodologies focus on adaptability, collaboration, and continuous improvement, making them perfect for solving problems. Agile teams break down complex projects into manageable iterations. By working in short cycles, they can quickly identify and address potential issues.
• Promote Cultural Change: Leadership and organizational culture play a crucial role. When leaders foster a problem-solving approach within the team, it becomes part of the company's DNA. They can inspire and empower their teams to embrace challenges, demonstrating that failures are stepping stones to success.