In today’s management lesson, we talk about the importance of careful analysis and assessment before expending significant time, effort, and resources on attempting to solve a perceived issue. Here’s a short story which shows that there is no point in solving problems that don’t exist. The story is followed by our perspective on the situation.
One fine day, a bus driver went to the bus garage, started his bus, and drove off along the route. No problems for the first few stops – a few people got on, a few got off, and things went generally well.
At the next stop, however, a big hulk of a guy got on. Six feet eight, built like a wrestler, arms hanging down to the ground. He glared at the driver and said, “Big John doesn’t pay!” and sat down at the back.
Did I mention that the driver was five feet three, thin, and basically meek? Well, he was. Naturally, he didn’t argue with Big John, but he wasn’t happy about it.
The next day the same thing happened – Big John got on again, made a show of refusing to pay, and sat down. And the next day, and the next! This grated on the bus driver, who started losing sleep over the way Big John was taking advantage of him.
Finally he could stand it no longer. He signed up for body building courses, karate, judo, and all that good stuff. By the end of the summer, he had become quite strong; what’s more, he felt really good about himself.
So on the next Monday, when Big John once again got on the bus and said, “Big John doesn’t pay!”
The driver stood up, glared back at him, and screamed, “And why not?” With a surprised look on his face, Big John replied, Big John has a bus pass.”
Moral Of The Story: There is no point in solving problems that don’t exist. Be sure there is a problem in the first place before working very hard to solve one.
Our management lessons highlight different perspectives on workplace dynamics. This short story is a reminder that rushing into problem-solving without a clear understanding of the problem itself can lead to wasted resources and potentially exacerbate the situation. Before dedicating extensive resources to address a problem, it’s essential to verify that a genuine problem exists. Sometimes, what appears to be a problem may be a symptom of a deeper issue or just a misunderstanding.