Is your problem solving biased

?

/

Author —Auteur — Peter Georgariou

A policeman sees a drunk man searching for something under a streetlight and asks what the drunk has lost. He says he lost his keys and they both look under the streetlight together. After a few minutes the policeman asks if he is sure he lost them here, and the drunk replies, no, and that he lost them in the park. The policeman asks why he is searching here, and the drunk replies, "this is where the light is".

This anecdote is known as the streetlight effect, or the drunkard’s search. It demonstrates our propensity to only look for things where they are easy to find.

Oftentimes, when we ask the leaders and organizations that we work with what they are looking to achieve and what is getting in the way, there is a litany of obstacles that come to mind. 

If only:
  • my staff/colleagues/partners/donors/ got it
  • they understood
  • we had the time
  • we had good people
  • the board would get out of my way
  • the competition wasn’t undercutting the sector
 
It has happened, but rarely do we hear, if only:
  • I was more aware of how I am showing up and its negative impact on the team
  • we prioritized the right things
  • focused on the process rather than the outcome
  • we had crucial conversations with whomever that might be
  • had the managerial courage to fire high performing toxic people 
  • we had a growth mindset as an organization
 
Imagine the impact of digging deep into the root of problems and opportunities within your organization and less into a long list of symptoms. The easy route may feel cathartic and allow you to notionally take yourself off the hook. But asking yourself the tough questions, with a stiff look in the organizational mirror and a trip to the park may just lead you out of the dark. The shift from the streetlight of easy to the actualizing light of clarity.

Peter Georgariou

CEO & Founder

With over 18 years of experience in sales, marketing and operations, Peter enjoys helping businesses establish the proper structures, strategies and marketing plans to help them achieve their goals and dreams. He is helping them make the most of their potential and ability to impact the communities in which they live.

More Insights

.

Uncategorized
For those of you who have never heard of a B-Corp, it is...
Mindset
Connection We are simultaneously hardwired and starved for it. A recent study cited...
Personal Growth
Life has been quite full this past week…and may have even overflowed a...

Rob Hyams

Chief Creative Officer

Rob has been building brands and campaigns since he came out of the womb…or at least that’s what it feels like. He has a rare gift; an ability to distill the complex into a succinct and compelling story.

Brent Martel

Web Development & Marketing Automation

Brent is our resident experts on making websites that convert and simplifying your marketing technology to make it work for you. Sounds good, right?

Alan Horic

Senior Digital Ads Strategist

Alan is all-knowing (no joke) when it comes to deploying your digital marketing strategy; from search to display to Account-Based Marketing, he can turn your ads into a revenue generating machine.

Francesca Désulmé

Account Coordinator

Artist, communications enthusiast and social justice advocate, Francesca brings a plurality of lived experiences to the table. Organized, passionate and creative, she’ll help bring your projects to the next level.

Peter Georgariou

CEO & Founder

A Buddha-loving, health nut who races in Ironmans and marathons in his free time. He brings a ton of heart and intense questions to every moment. Trust us… 

Bárbara d’Oro

Content Strategist

Barbara is a journalist by trade who loves talking to people, asking great questions and giving a voice to their stories. Being Brazilian, she also loves a mean BBQ marathon at your local churrascaria.

Michelle Bell

Chief Marketing Officer

Michelle is an intensely caring, and lovably nerdy, triple-threat: her creative, strategic & engineer brain are the perfect recipe for taking your organization to the next level.

Karen Bramhill

Chief Experience Officer

Artist, epidemiologist, operations specialist and true lover of life; Karen is a true polymath that brings a wealth of care and knowledge to every engagement. And for the record, ambiguity and her are not the best of friends.

Jennifer
Lim-Tamkican

Creative Designer

Having been in the hospitality industry for years, Jennifer is passionate about creating meaningful experiences. Fuelled by string cheese, she applies a very thoughtful & practical mindset to her designs.

Geneviève
Côté-Nault

Account Coordinator

Gen will bring the energy to kick-start your project and the grit to see it through. Her conscience will find you the best strategy and probably save the planet along the way.

Jenna Araujo

Creative Lead

Jenna is the Swiss Army knife of creative…with a smile. She’s got a design solution for almost any problem accompanied by the most infectious giggle in the industry.