2. Ask Why Before How
When most people begin using strategic thinking to solve a problem or plan a way to meet an objective,
they often make the mistake of jumping the gun and trying immediately to figure out how to accomplish it.
Instead of asking how, they should first ask why. If you jump right into problem solving mode, how are you going
to know all the issues?
Eugene G. Grace says, “Thousands of engineers can design bridges, calculate strains and stresses, and
draw up specifications for machines, but the great engineer is the man who can tell whether the bridge or the
machine should be built at all, where it should be built, and when.” Asking why helps you to think about all the
reasons for decisions. It helps you to open your mind to possibilities and opportunities. The size of an
opportunity often determines the level of resources and effort that you must invest. Big opportunities allow for
big decisions. If you jump to how too quickly, you might miss that.
3. Identify the Real Issues and Objectives
William Feather, author of The Business of Life , said, “Before it can be solved, a problem must be clearly
defined.” Too many people rush to solutions, and as a result they end up solving the wrong problem. To avoid
that, ask probing questions to expose the real issues. Challenge all of your assumptions. Collect information
even after you think you’ve identified the issue. (You may still have to act with incomplete data, but you don’t
want to jump to a conclusion before you gather enough information to begin identifying the real issue.) Begin by
asking, What else could be the real issue? You should also remove any personal agenda. More than almost
anything else, that can cloud your judgment. Discovering your real situation and objectives is a major part of the
battle. Once the real issues are identified, the solutions are often simple.
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