#591: Solve Problems Before They Become Problems

#591: Solve Problems Before They Become Problems

So often in life, we get stuck in a cycle of reaction. We tackle the most urgent tasks. We deal with emergencies. We put out fires.

We intuitively know we'd be better off if we figured out a way to be more proactive rather than reactive, thereby preventing fires from starting in the first place, but we can't seem to switch our approach.

My guest today explores why that is and what we can do to start solving the problems of business, life, and society before they become problems.

His name is Dan Heath and today we talk about his latest book, Upstream: The Quest to Solve Problems Before They Happen. We begin our conversation discussing the issues that keep us from nipping problems in the bud, including problem blindness, lack of ownership, and "tunneling." Along the way Dan shares insights into how to overcome those roadblocks. We then shift gears and explore how to find the best upstream solutions to problems, which requires getting as close as possible to the problem, while also being able to survey the system it's embedded in from a bird's eye view. Dan explains the principles at play with plenty of real-life examples of how these tactics were used to effectively tackle big, seemingly intractable social problems.

Lots of great insights that you can apply to solving problems in your personal life, business, and community.

Get the show notes at aom.is/upstream.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episoder(1160)

Overdiagnosed — How Our Obsession with Medical Testing and Labels Is Making Us Sicker

Overdiagnosed — How Our Obsession with Medical Testing and Labels Is Making Us Sicker

Modern medicine has given us incredible tools to peer inside the body and spot disease earlier than ever before. But with that power comes a problem: the more we look, the more we find — and not every...

8 Sep 202559min

Good Anger — Harnessing a Misunderstood Emotion

Good Anger — Harnessing a Misunderstood Emotion

Most people think of anger as a problem — something to avoid or repress. It’s irrational, immature, and best left behind.But what if anger isn’t bad? What if it can actually be an incredibly positive,...

2 Sep 202550min

The Code They Killed For — Honor, Manhood, and the American Gunfighter

The Code They Killed For — Honor, Manhood, and the American Gunfighter

When you picture a gunfighter, you probably think of a Hollywood cowboy — spurs jangling, six-shooter on his hip, squaring off at high noon in a dusty frontier town. But gunfighters weren’t just produ...

26 Aug 202551min

Aristotle’s Art of Self-Persuasion — How to Use Ancient Rhetoric to Change Your Life

Aristotle’s Art of Self-Persuasion — How to Use Ancient Rhetoric to Change Your Life

The ancient art of rhetoric has shaped political policies, influenced social movements, structured legal arguments, and molded cultural narratives throughout history. It's been used for three thousand...

19 Aug 202551min

How to Make a Big Decision (Faster!)

How to Make a Big Decision (Faster!)

Making big decisions can feel paralyzing. Whether it's choosing a new job, moving to a different city, or deciding if you should break up with someone, these choices can keep you agonizingly stuck, fo...

12 Aug 202552min

Rooted Living in a Shallow Age — A Shepherd’s Guide to the Good Life

Rooted Living in a Shallow Age — A Shepherd’s Guide to the Good Life

In a world that often feels dominated by technology and constant change, it’s easy to forget that some people are still living by the rhythms of ancient traditions. James Rebanks, an author and shephe...

5 Aug 202544min

From Plane Crashes to Terrorist Attacks — Who Survives, and Why

From Plane Crashes to Terrorist Attacks — Who Survives, and Why

You're on an airplane that crash lands. Smoke fills the cabin, and you've got only seconds to react. How would you respond? Would you immediately take action — or freeze in place?While you might think...

29 Jul 20251h

The 6 Levels of Wealth and How to Reach Them

The 6 Levels of Wealth and How to Reach Them

You've heard the advice that to build wealth, you need to earn more, spend less, and invest consistently. But what if there was a clearer way to understand exactly where you stand financially — and wh...

22 Jul 202547min

Populært innen Fakta

fastlegen
dine-penger-pengeradet
relasjonspodden-med-dora-thorhallsdottir-kjersti-idem
mikkels-paskenotter
foreldreradet
treningspodden
rss-strid-de-norske-borgerkrigene
jakt-og-fiskepodden
sinnsyn
rss-bisarr-historie
takk-og-lov-med-anine-kierulf
rss-kull
rss-sunn-okonomi
fryktlos
hverdagspsyken
tomprat-med-gunnar-tjomlid
level-up-med-anniken-binz
hagespiren-podcast
gravid-uke-for-uke
rss-kunsten-a-leve