Nonprofits are founded to tackle tough issues and to solve challenging problems. But sometimes a problem is too large to be tackled head on, and a nonprofit can freeze up, uncertain of how they can be most effective.
A friend recently shared with me the concept of “shrinking the problem.” The idea is to get planners and implementers to reduce a problem to one that they feel they can solve. This can be done by simply addressing a discrete segment within the larger challenge. It can also be done by trying to advance incrementally, a step at a time, and not take on the whole challenge all at once.
Shrinking problems to addressable goals is important for many social, climate, and education issues. It can also be necessary for a small nonprofit simply trying to navigate local challenges.
Shrinking the problem can make solutions visible.
- Is a tough problem causing your organization to freeze up?
- How can you shrink the problem? To learn about moving ideas into action, watch this short video.
