4 Ways to Solve a Problem 5,826 Filed under - Archived Content An apocryphal story: A man you know is hungry. There are 4 ways you could solve his problem: Slap him about a bit. This will take his mind of it. Hunger gone, problem solved. Give him a fish to eat. Hunger gone, problem solved. Give him a fishing rod and show them how to fish. Hunger gone, problem solved. Develop a first-world infrastructure with trawlers, freezers, distribution centres, corner stores and fish fingers. Hunger gone, problem solved. I’d love to claim credit for this line of thinking But it came from a gentleman called Russell Ackoff. He called the 4 methods Absolve Resolve Solve Dissolve His point was that the further you take your problem solving, the more likely you will make the problem go away for ever. There is an extra twist: Absolving and Resolving don’t count as solving the problem. I’m sure you would agree. Solving, though valid, involves current knowledge. If there is a known solution you shouldn’t have to waste your time on it. As a manager — a paid problem solver — only Dissolving problems is a worthwhile use of your time. How did you spend your time today? Author: Jonty Pearce Published On: 10th Jun 2016 - Last modified: 5th Mar 2019 Read more about - Archived Content Contact Centre Reports, Surveys and White Papers Get the latest exciting call centre reports, specialist whitepapers and interesting case-studies. Choose the content that you want to receive. Contact Centre Reports, Surveys and White Papers Invites to exclusive Webinars & Events Weekly Newsletter