Solving Big Problems

Have you ever wondered why we struggle to rally around a big idea that seems so obvious to all of us? It impacts and benefits all humankind but we rarely seem to be a cohesive unit. This seems perplexing and goes against human rationale but there’s a big human factor in play here.

Big problems need big commitments and resources. But even before we get started, we need better messaging just because that’s how we are wired.

We humans are a lot selfless than we give us credit for. Any time we engage in something, the obvious fact driving that behavior is: what’s in it for me and my family.

When it comes to big challenges like solving global warming and pandemic, it’s not that people don’t care. But for us to care at scale, the messaging has to be right. At best, today we are confusing people when it comes to those big scary ideas that will 100% impact all of us in our lifetime. We already know people need to be learned and inspired and sold on these bold ideas. We need to do one better and sell it to them on a personal level.

On global warming, Simon Sinek recently mentioned we got the messaging completely wrong. We are saying “warming” but it will also freeze up many parts of the glove as a part of this change. It wasn’t just about warming. It was about climate disruption. If you ask ten people what’s global warming is to them and you will get ten different definitions. And it is confusing people. He advises it to call “climate cancer”. People understand cancer, they know the danger and the immediate need to act on it. We need to make it relatable to what people understand today. This is a cancer of our generation and if we don’t take care of it, there will be death including yours and my family. So the message switches from saving your planet to saving your family which touches all of us at a very personal level.

I see a similar issue with how we are struggling with the covid pandemic. Again the problem we are seeing is with messaging . Who are the vulnerable population? Are they 65 or older, with existing conditions, with heart and lung issues? Are masks helpful? Is it airborne and is 6 ft distance safe enough? Are the young ones free to carry about their normal life?

The reality is, it is affecting all of us. We are still learning about the damage it does. Even on the young ones, we are finding out a reduction in lung capacity and other damages after full recovery. And there are still so many unknowns when it comes to covid. So we need to message it like that. It’s once in a lifetime pandemic that is impacting you and your family, your community all at once. And we need to protect ourselves and our families. Absolutely wear a mask and practice self distance and stay indoors unless absolutely needed until we have a better handle on this pandemic. Protect yourself and your family at any cost. If we fail on this, there will be deaths of yours and my family.

The way we are wired, for us to be actionable on these big challenges, it has to be very personal.