People are more likely to respond when they understand both the problem and what can be done about it. That’s the idea behind a quote by Bill Gates, the entrepreneur and philanthropist, who said: “I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions, they will be moved to act. We all come across problems that can feel too complicated, distant or difficult to solve. Whether it is a challenge at work, a business problem, or a larger issue affecting society, simply pointing out that something is wrong doesn’t always lead to action. The thought highlights the importance of presenting a problem with enough context to help people understand it, while also showing them a possible path forward. “I believe that if you show people the problems and you show them the solutions, they will be moved to act. Bill Gates Gates’ statement is closely connected to framing a problem. A problem can look very different depending on how it is presented, just like a picture can look different depending on how it is framed. Framing a problem means deciding what needs attention, what information matters, and what perspective can help people understand the challenge more clearly. It also puts boundaries around the problem, making it easier to examine rather than treating it as one large, undefined issue. But framing is not only about identifying what is wrong. It is also about putting the problem into context and showing people their options. For example, instead of simply saying a business is losing customers, a better approach is to look at who those customers are, what they need, what is changing in the market, and what competitors are doing differently. Some questions that can help frame a problem include: Who is the customer Understanding who is affected by the problem can help define what needs to be addressed. What are their needs and priorities Knowing what matters to the people affected can make the problem more specific and easier to solve. What’s happening in the market A problem may be connected to broader changes that need to be considered before deciding on a response. What are competitors doing Looking at how others approach a similar challenge can offer another perspective on the problem. What are our options for responding Identifying possible solutions shifts the discussion from describing a problem to considering what we can do about it. How do we differentiate Understanding what makes an approach different can help determine how to present or implement a solution. How is technology changing and what possibilities does it offer customers
Instead of stopping at “Here is what is wrong,” the conversation becomes “Here is what is wrong, here is why it matters and here are the ways we could address it. Technology can change both the nature of a problem and the solutions available to address it. What are the business priorities A solution also needs to fit within the organisation’s broader priorities. It is easy to tell people that something needs to change. It is much harder to get them to understand why it matters and what they can actually do about it. That is where framing becomes important. A problem presented without context can feel overwhelming or irrelevant. But when people can see the problem clearly and understand the possible solutions, they have a better basis for deciding how to respond. The same approach can apply to everyday challenges. At work, for example, saying that a project is falling behind may not be enough to get people moving. Explaining what is causing the delay, who is affected and what options are available gives the team a clearer picture of the situation. The idea also changes the way we communicate problems. That shift can make a problem easier to understand and give people a clearer reason to act. You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.