PLF Mohd Nadzrin Wahab
Problem solving has, in this new
generation found a more positive approach in that more focus is provided to the
solution than the problem itself. This is a good shift away from the old
problem-based orientation as it provides a variety of methods to apply. Thus,
instead of focusing on passive 'problem-solving', it is the more active
'solving problems'.
In the EnSync methodology of solving
problems called SPEED, there are several levels of focus: 1 principle which
outlines the approach, 2 strategies that provide high-level orientations, 4
pillars of values and a categorisation of 4 problem types.
SPEED Principle
The principle of SPEED is "Carefully extract a strand of hair from a mound of flour.
The hair is unbroken while the flour remains undisturbed". A
direct translation of this Melayu proverb would mean: "Extracting a strand
of hair from a mound of flour. The hair is unbroken while the flour remains
undisturbed.
The proverb speaks of making small but
significant changes that minimise disruption yet achieves the objectives of the
changes.
SPEED Strategies
The 2 core strategies of SPEED are:
1. "Help others sincerely in solving
THEIR problems and Allah will make YOUR problems easier to resolve" - This
is accepting that man was created to serve Allah, thus play a role in creating
peace on Earth as His vicegerents. As such, His blessings are available for
anyone who truly assist others to save them from difficulty. Even if you do not
know how, Allah will show you the way. Just want to help, and help will come.
In a non-religious sense, it creates a
bank of account of goodwill (thank you Dr Stephen Covey) that can certainly
help when you are in need.
2. "Ask for help" - Keeping a
problem to oneself will only stretch the limit of human capacity. By sharing
his challenges and goals, one widens his capacity to receive assistance by
other people or communities. Asking for help from Allah and His creation is not
a sign of weakness. It is, in fact, a sign of humility.
SPEED Pillars
SPEED is built upon 4 pillars, meaning
when you inculcate these as your lifelong values, they will support your
solving efforts. They are:
1. Acceptance - this
refers to redha. Accept the reality of the
situation and quickly move to resolve it.
2. Confidence - this
refers to yaqin. Every disease has its cure.
Every problem has a resolution, whether it resolves in your favour or otherwise.
Therefore, become involved in the problem and solve it in your favour rather
than stand back and do nothing.
3. Determination - this
is doing everything with stamina and passion to find a solution, even if you
don't see it yet. Have faith. "Dalam segala apa yang
kita lakukan, lakukanlah bersungguh-sungguh".
4. Improvement - this
refers to muhasabah. When you are once
burned, why get a credit card again? After the tsunami, Malaysia is now better
prepared. After our personal tsunamis, we want to be better prepared too.
Risk or Issue?
A problem is identified first as a Risk
or an Issue. A risk is a potential problem and an issue is a present problem.
Most people solve issues yet forget that risks, when left unprepared for, can
develop exponentially into issues.
In a car, a neglecting to change a RM300
timing belt can easily escalate to becoming a RM3000 engine overhaul. A habit
of not wearing the seatbelt can easily cause sudden and painful orphanhood.
Problem Types
SPEED recognises that analysing problems
is the first step to understanding its complexity since most problems have many
moving parts. It is because of this that solvers sometimes oversimplify a
problem and aren't able to resolve the cause-and-effects of a complex
'problem'.
To see clearer, SPEED categorises all
problems into only 4 types, represented by the acronym PDRM:
1. Process - resolving
bottlenecks, blockages, lack of resources, delays, etc to maintain a
controllable and desirable flow of value.
2. Decisions - weighing
between two or more similar options and choosing between them based on merit
and being able to defend the decision.
3. Relationships -
communicating clearly and persuading other people with as minimal emotional
turmoil as possible to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome.
4. Motivation -
individual drive.
Most problems come as a mix of two or all
four of the above, which, as previously mentioned, makes solving them
challenging. Some people categorise health problems as a process issue. All
they need is the money for an operation. Once they have it, they believe the
problem is solved.
There is also the possibility that one's
health problem affects one's motivation to live thus contributes them to die in
the operating room or to take too long to heal.
This strains familial relationships.
Thus, in this case, the 'health' problem comes bundled 3 disguised as 1.
Therefore, analyse the problems
separately and solve them at the same time rather than sequentially.
Final Solution (Islamic version)
As human beings, we must accept that our
ability to process problems are very limited, even when we work together en
masse. Thus, the realisation that Allah is the Ultimate Solver leads us to use
that final and most powerful of tools in our toolbox, and that is supplication
(du'a). For solving problems certainly feels like going
to war, and Du'a is the weapon of
the mu'minun.
-------------------------
Solving Someone Else's
Problems Can Help Solve Yours
The SPEED Principle and Strategies shared in the
article Solving Problems Efficiently, Effectively & Decisively are
the core of the SPEED method. In fact, I often tell learners who attend my
programs that should they forget everything else I tell them, to remember these
principle and strategies.
The Principle
The principle of SPEED
is "Menarik rambut dalam tepung. Rambut tidak putus, tepung
tidak berselerak". A direct translation of this Melayu proverb
would mean: "Carefully extract a strand of hair from a mound of flour. The
hair is unbroken while the flour remains undisturbed".
The Melayu people of the Malaysian Peninsula are
well known for their love of status quo. Thus, rocking the boat is mostly not
an option. When it comes to solving problems then, they are masters at
business-as-usual while navigating a change.
Problems that arise are quickly handled by the
experienced people in society, and done with the assistance of the community,
getting everyone's input, either directly or by proxy. Thus, the very
emotionally cautious Melayu will get all sides of a story before proceeding.
Their aim is long-term stability with everyone's buy-in and commitment, not
short term fixes.
The Strategies
The 2 core strategies of
SPEED are:
1. "Help
others sincerely in solving THEIR problems and Allah will make YOUR problems
easier to resolve" - This is accepting that man was created to serve
Allah, thus play a role in creating peace on Earth as His vicegerents. As such,
His blessings are available for anyone who truly assist others to save them
from difficulty. Even if you do not know how, Allah will show you the way. Just
want to help, and help will come.
In a non-religious sense, it creates a bank of
account of goodwill (thank you Dr Stephen Covey) that can certainly help when
you are in need.
2. "Ask
for help" - Keeping a problem to oneself will only stretch the limit
of human capacity. By sharing his challenges and goals, one widens his capacity
to receive assistance by other people or communities. Asking for help from
Allah and His creation is not a sign of weakness. It is, in fact, a sign of
humility.
These strategies take someone from a defensive
position in handling their problems and puts them into an active position. It
also provides a fresh pair of eyes, a different perspective to your problems
while at the same time, giving a fresh perspective to someone else's.
In the modern world, individualism cannot make use
of these strategies, but communities who practice interdependence such as
families, tightly-knit teams and organisations, and of course, the Ummah,
experience this solution barter on a daily basis.
Putting the core to work
When deciding to solve a
problem, ask yourself these:
1. Who is available
to support you?
Who are your close
family members, neighbours or friends who are available to help out? Forget
about any past relations, crises or issues that could cloud the present. Most
important is to identify who they are. Then, offer your assistance for Allah's
sake, even if rejected, for things that are within your ability. Support them
in their time of need, even if they think they don't need you. This has helped
break down barriers, heal old issues and strengthen already strong
relationships.
2. Who else can
benefit from your assistance?
The hand that gives is
above the hand that receives, meaning Allah blesses those who give out of the
kindness of their hearts, even to those who don't know them. This doesn't just
refer to outright charity in the modern sense. It is kindness in thought, word,
and action. It is what charity used to mean. Give, and don't look back or ask
for anything in return. Give with your right hand in a way that your left hand
knows nothing about it.
3. Can I ask of Allah
AND of His servants?
There are people who
will help you and there are people who will not. But the people who know what
is the right thing to do subscribe to goodness, irrespective of what religion
(or not) they are. They are simply good. Supplicate to Allah for His help, and
look to the people He sends to help you. Ask of them, appreciate them, and
reward them with your own help.
What now?
With social media now
connecting everyone around the world, look on your news feed. Someone who could
use a kind word, a small donation, an old bicycle you would have thrown away, a
visit, a recommendation for a job, anything at all, is someone who needs your
help.
What normally happens, is, by solving someone
else's problem and not focusing on yours, you allow yourself to take an
emotional distance from the impact your problem has on you to practice your
solving skills.
Akin to taking baby steps, you actually prime
yourself with courage to tackle your own. And who knows, by the time you're
ready to fight, you'll have an army of people behind you to help you wage your
war.
Help, and you will get help.
This
article is under a series outlining the Solving Problems Efficiently,
Effectively & Decisively (SPEED) method. Read the first article here.
Nadzrin
is a Professional Learning Facilitator and is currently a Learning Coach and
Master Trainer at Accenture Learning's Kuala Lumpur Centre of Excellence.
He
is also the founder of the EnSync Workplace Performance Skills methodology
based on his experience in Silat Melayu and corporate learning.
Silat
Melayu is a traditional Melayu martial art which hails from South East Asia and
is heavily influenced by Islamic sufi traditionas and contains many personal,
leadership and community lessons. It is Nadzrin's dream to share this with the
world.
