Community Problem Solving

How do you solve your problems? When hungry, eat. Thirsty, drink. Tired, sleep.

Simple.

More complex problems? Want to lose weight? I know there are thousands of books on the subject, but here's the answer I know works: Either consume less calories than you do now or, work off more calories than you currently consume. People call this going on a diet.

Amazing.

Here's the thing – you can't change something sustainably unless you re-frame your thinking. Consider this: you are always on a diet – it's not optional. But we're powerfully conditioned (marketed) to think we can elect a short term solution that will give permanent and lasting results. To lose weight and be at a healthy body mass, you need to actually change your diet, not just temporarily go on one.

I just don't think we can expect the world's problems – and, more importantly, our own – to be effectively addressed if we continue to think and act as we always have. Isn’t insanity defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results?

Sound familiar?

It's helpful for me to see the regional issues (they are plentiful) in similar terms: What if we just thought of Southeast MI as a place that needs to sustainably change its diet?

Too simple? Sure.

But perhaps it helps to think this way: rid ourselves of the baggage associated with the terms we usually ascribe to Metro Detroit’s problems, and get down to some long-range thinking on how to make the situation better.

How do we move from a deficit-first, zero-solution & unconstructive-narrative, and start on a path that is asset-based, solution-focused, performance-oriented, results-driven & impatient-with-anything-but-constructive-problem-solving-type-people-and-organizations?

How do we re-engage and reposition our work in a way that makes sense to those involved and yields results for everyone?

I’m lucky: everyday I'm asked to reframe what United Way means to itself and the communities it serves. The analytic process of trying to understand this enormous Infrastructure of Good, its dynamics, and the issues it faces in our neighborhoods, schools and communities is both fascinating and overwhelming. The complexity and nuance can be paralyzing. But the questions are central; thinking about them in a new way, essential; working together to make sustainable change, critical.

I see our community problem solving techniques in these terms: Relationships, incentives, old rules, new world. I believe we must continuously put our thinking and orientation into deep question. Like individuals that wake up January 1st each year and commit to personal change, and institutions like United Way that discern change is required across the nonprofit sector, this region must continue developing techniques that will change its approaches, mindsets and results.

Indeed, perhaps its high time—imperative even—for Metro Detroit to sustainably change its diet.

Reframe.

Problem Solve.

Deliver.

Brad Frost,
Brand Strategist, United Way for Southeastern Michigan
This post is part of an on-going series from MetroMode.