This is an example of a subject discussed after a The Radius Project film presentation:
What is a Problem Solver?
Problem-Solvers educate their families, friends, and neighborhoods by fostering collaboration, building community capacity, and teaching practical and civic skills. This process empowers residents to identify issues, work together to develop and implement solutions, and learn from successes, which can lead to a stronger sense of ownership, improved community resources, and greater civic engagement. By addressing local challenges together, a neighborhood builds social capital and learns how to advocate for itself.
Key ways problem-solving educates a neighborhood
Develops practical skills: Residents learn how to analyze problems, conduct research, and use resources effectively. For example, they may need to research property ownership or local codes to address a blight issue.
Enhances civic engagement: Participating in collective problem-solving encourages residents to get involved in local politics and use formal systems to improve their community. This creates a more informed and active citizenry.
Builds leadership and capacity: The process identifies and trains local leaders, building the community's internal capacity to work on its own behalf. This helps residents feel more empowered to work internally and externally to achieve their goals.
Fosters collaboration: It brings diverse people together to work toward a common goal, which requires negotiation, communication, and cooperation. This breaks down "siloed thinking" and builds relationships across different groups.
Improves problem-solving ability: Communities learn to define problems, generate solutions, and implement them, building a toolkit of strategies they can use for future issues. Successful tactics, like creating an informational flyer about a problem, can be reused.
Creates tangible results: Working together can lead to concrete improvements, such as fixing a dangerous road or securing funding for projects. These successes provide positive reinforcement and can inspire future efforts.
Promotes understanding and empathy: Working on shared problems helps neighbors understand each other's interests, perspectives, and the barriers they face. This can lead to a stronger sense of shared purpose and connection.
Key aspects of being a problem solver:
Identify and define the problem: Recognizing and clearly stating what the issue is, and understanding its various aspects.
Analyze root causes: Using research and analysis to dig deeper than the surface symptoms and find the underlying reason for the problem.
Brainstorm solutions: Generating a wide range of potential solutions through creative thinking.
Evaluate and select the best solution: Weighing the pros and cons of different options before deciding on the most effective course of action.
Implement and measure: Putting the chosen solution into practice and then assessing its impact to ensure it worked and to learn for future situations.
Proactive and collaborative: A good problem solver doesn't wait to be told what to do; they take initiative to improve their environment and work with others to find solutions.