Manage Not Solve

by Rick Nason, PhD, CFA
Partner, RSD Solutions Inc.

I was listening to a radio conversation about the Middle East while driving my car last week and one of the political pundits came out with a line that made me pull over so I could write it down before forgetting it.   The line was; “leaders must learn that the Middle East situation is one that cannot be solved – it must be managed”.

This is a very profound statement.  With all of our education, systems and certifications, we impulsively assume that there must be a solution to all problems or issues.  When faced with a risk issue we look for “solutions” and “fixes”.  Not a correct approach.  Most risk issues are complex – not complicated.  The Middle East situation is complex – not complicated.

Complex situations cannot be solved – they must be managed.  I know it is hard for the ego to comprehend that our superior brains, and our superior training, and our superior qualifications and certifications do not give us enough intellectual ammo to solve all risk issues.  However they do give us more than enough intellectual power to manage most issues.  However we must take a step back and become content with managing rather than solving.