Imagine ... you are sitting in a team meeting, and someone raises their hand and says, “This plan won’t work.” Then they fold their arms, lean back, and wait. No suggestion. No alternative. Just a pointed finger at the flaw. The room falls silent, people shuffle their notes, and the energy dips. You’ve probably been in that scenario, haven’t you?
The truth is, pointing out problems is easy. Anyone can do it. What’s harder—and infinitely more valuable—is offering solutions. Being the person who doesn’t just say what’s wrong, but also explores what could be right.
In this blog, we’ll unpack the importance of shifting from being a “problem pointer” to becoming a “problem solver.” I’ll share three everyday personal life examples and six professional life examples to illustrate how small shifts in mindset can make a big difference. Along the way, I’ll show you how conversations can sound when we move from finger-pointing to solution-finding.
By the end, you’ll see why being a solver rather than just a pointer isn’t just helpful for others—it actually elevates your own life and career.
Why It Matters
Think about it this way: when you highlight a problem without suggesting a fix, you’ve simply handed over a burden. It’s like saying, “Here’s a mess—good luck dealing with it.” But when you offer a solution (or even a possible direction), you transform from being part of the weight to being part of the lift.
Solutions don’t have to be perfect. They don’t even have to be final. But they show initiative, creativity, and a willingness to share responsibility.
Let’s see this in action.
Personal Life Examples
1. The “Dinner Dilemma”
You come home after a long day, and your partner asks, “What should we do for dinner?” You sigh and reply:
Problem Pointer Response:
“There’s nothing in the fridge.”
End of conversation. Frustration builds because you’ve only highlighted the problem.
Problem Solver Response:
“There’s not much in the fridge, but we’ve got pasta and tomatoes. Want me to make a quick pasta dish, or should we order takeaway?”
See the difference? Instead of closing the door, you’ve opened two others.
2. The Holiday Planning Debate
A group of friends is planning a weekend getaway. One friend says:
“That Airbnb is too expensive.”
If that’s where the contribution ends, it just kills momentum.
A better approach would be:
“That Airbnb is pricey. Why don’t we split it with two more people, or look at staying slightly outside the city centre to save money?”
You’ve acknowledged the issue but also nudged the group towards alternatives.
3. Household Chores
A classic: one person says,
“The kitchen’s a mess.”
If that’s all that’s said, resentment brews.
Instead:
“The kitchen’s a mess. I’ll do the washing up if you could take the bins out. Deal?”
Not only is the problem flagged, but a plan is presented—and it feels fair.
Professional Life Examples
Now let’s step into the workplace, where this shift in mindset really makes a difference.
1. The Broken Printer
We’ve all seen it:
“The printer’s jammed again.”
That’s helpful information, but it’s incomplete.
Better would be:
“The printer’s jammed again. I’ve logged the issue with IT, but in the meantime, should we route print jobs to the second-floor machine?”
That way, you’re not just pointing out the roadblock—you’re keeping things moving.
2. The Missed Deadline
In a project catch-up, someone might say:
“The report wasn’t ready on time.”
This only stirs blame.
A more constructive contribution is:
“The report wasn’t ready on time because we’re short on data. Could we agree a cut-off date for data inputs, so we can actually hit the deadline next time?”
Problem acknowledged, solution proposed.
3. The Confusing Process
Ever heard this one?
“Our onboarding process is confusing.”
While true, it’s vague.
Now compare it with:
“Our onboarding process is confusing. I’ve noticed new hires struggle with the IT setup. What if we created a one-page quick-start guide for their first day?”
Specific. Actionable. Helpful.
4. The Low Morale
In a team meeting:
“Everyone’s feeling demotivated lately.”
That may be valid, but it’s heavy and unhelpful by itself.
Instead:
“Everyone’s feeling demotivated lately. Maybe we could start with small wins—like celebrating weekly milestones or doing a Friday check-in that’s more relaxed?”
Now it becomes about lifting people up, not dragging them down.
5. The Poor Sales Figures
Management meeting:
“Our sales numbers are down this quarter.”
True, but obvious.
Better:
“Our sales numbers are down this quarter. Could we trial offering a bundled package at a discount, or maybe invest in a short social media campaign to test engagement?”
You’ve shifted from stating the obvious to actively seeking solutions.
6. The Unproductive Meeting
Classic gripe:
“These meetings are a waste of time.”
That leaves colleagues defensive.
Instead:
“These meetings feel too long. What if we set a strict 30-minute cap and share the agenda beforehand?”
That’s not just critique—it’s a constructive way forward.
Conversations That Show the Shift
Here’s how the change sounds in real conversations:
Problem Pointer:
“This isn’t working.”
Problem Solver:
“This isn’t working. What if we try it this way instead?”
Problem Pointer:
“This process takes too long.”
Problem Solver:
“This process takes too long. Could we automate the first step to save time?”
Problem Pointer:
“That idea won’t work.”
Problem Solver:
“That idea won’t work as it stands, but if we tweak it slightly, it could.”
See how much lighter, more collaborative, and more forward-looking the solver conversations feel?
Why People Default to Problem Pointing
It’s worth asking: why do so many of us stop at pointing? A few reasons:
It’s easier. Highlighting flaws doesn’t require effort or risk.
It feels safer. Suggesting solutions exposes you—what if it’s a bad idea?
It shifts responsibility. Pointing lets someone else figure it out.
But while it feels safe, it also diminishes your value to others.
The Benefits of Being a Problem Solver
When you move from problem pointer to problem solver, several benefits emerge:
You build trust. People see you as proactive, not negative.
You influence outcomes. Solutions push projects forward.
You grow skills. Thinking through fixes sharpens creativity and problem-solving ability.
You gain respect. Colleagues and loved ones appreciate doers over complainers.
You feel empowered. Instead of being stuck in frustration, you’re part of progress.
Keeping This in Mind
So, next time you catch yourself saying “This doesn’t work”, pause and ask:
What could work instead?
What’s one suggestion I can add?
How can I turn this complaint into a constructive step?
It doesn’t mean you need a perfect solution on the spot. Even suggesting options—or asking the group, “How about we try X or Y?”—sets a different tone.
Remember: the person who only points at problems is part of the weight. The person who suggests solutions becomes part of the lift.
Final Thought
Life—both personal and professional—is full of challenges. Problems will always crop up: broken printers, messy kitchens, expensive holidays, low morale. The choice is whether you want to be the person who simply points and frowns, or the one who rolls up their sleeves and says, “Here’s an idea.”
Imagine how much smoother your relationships, projects, and teams would run if more of us chose the second path. Imagine how people would view you if every time you highlighted an issue, you also carried a spark of possibility with it.
That’s the kind of person people remember. That’s the kind of colleague, friend, and partner people want around.
So here’s the mantra to keep in your back pocket:
Don’t just point at problems. Be the one who helps solve them.
If you know someone who might find this helpful, don’t keep it to yourself—please share it.
You never know how much of a difference it could make in someone’s life.
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