Thursday, November 14, 2019

Cracking the Code: Solving Problems Big and Small

By Ryan Cameron, BC Construction and Mining Coordinator

He’s not trying to inspire anyone, but he is trying to solve a problem. The oftentimes controversial billionaire tech and business mogul, Bill Gates, is now one of the world’s most recognizable philanthropists. Gates, who began his career solving complicated scheduling issues at a private school in Seattle, is now working on what he calls a “resource constraints problem.” Alternatively phrased, he’s trying to save the world.

The recently released three-part documentary, Inside Bill’s Brain, Decoding Bill Gates, tells the story of Gates’ progression from tech-savvy high school student to CEO of Microsoft to cofounder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The series explores the motivations behind a number of his past and current initiatives—one of the most notable of which is his global campaign to eradicate polio, a devastating but preventable disease.

The series captures the many challenges that he, the organization, and its employees have faced in their quest, but also provides an opportunity to observe Gates’ approach to problem solving.

Here is the formula I observed.

1. Ask the right questions.

Despite their early efforts and the number of immunizations administered, the team continued to notice regional spikes in new cases. Organizers noted that many of the available maps of several affected regions were outdated and unreliable. The question, of course, was how to create more accurate mapping systems. Often, we become stuck in a problem because we don’t challenge our assumptions about our circumstances.

2. Ask for help.

Identify individuals with complementary skill sets, or the required resources (knowledge, time, etc.) and place them in positions to utilize those gifts.

3. Prioritize.

Gates notes that resources, including time, are limited. Achieving ones goals, whether eradicating a disease or decoding students’ schedules, requires both commitment to a plan but also a clear progression from vision to outcome.

4. Build consensus.

Whether on a global or local scale, any number and combination of factors can present a challenge to consensus building. Active listening and facilitating participation can move a plan forward. Referring to number 2 above, Bill notes that Melinda is particularly gifted in this area.

5. Take risks.

Eradicating polio is fraught with risks. Cultural and political tensions resulted in dangerous situations for vaccinators and local supporters in various regions of the globe. But through innovation and experience, as well as the willingness to do whatever is necessary to achieve a desired goal or outcome, entrepreneurs, activists, or organizers can achieve their goals.

Between 2008-2010, the number of new cases of polio dropped from 700 to 21, and in 2017, the organization predicted the world was nearing the “endgame” for the disease.

Whether fighting a global health crisis or working through issues in the workplace, effective problem solving tools are essential. Not all of us will save the world, but with the right tools and understanding, we can make positive change in our communities, friendships, families, and workplaces.

Cracking the Code: Solving Problems Big and Small

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