Trailhead Thoughts
“There’s no use talking about the problem unless you talk about the solution.”
- Betty Williams
Trail Map - Learn. Think. Act. ™
From Problem to Progress
When you hit a roadblock, it’s tempting to jump straight from “We have a problem” to “Here’s how we fix it.” The problem? Skipping steps often means we solve the wrong thing or solve it in a way that doesn’t stick.
Instead, think of problem-solving like following a map. Each stop helps you gather the information you need before moving forward.
📚Learn
What - Name the problem in clear, simple language. No jargon.
Who - Identify the people who have the problem, are impacted by it, and care about those affected.
Why - Ask two why’s: Why does it keep happening? (root cause) and Why is it worth solving? (value.)
How - Look at the current approach. Is it working? What could be better?
When - Know your timeline. Is it urgent or can it wait?
Plan - Break it down into short-, medium-, and long-term actions so momentum never stalls.
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🤔Think
When was the last time you paused to understand the “who” and “why” before brainstorming solutions?
How might your outcomes change if you always took that pause?
💪 Act
Before you fix your next problem, walk through each step. It doesn’t have to take hours - even five minutes of intentional mapping can make your solution stronger and longer lasting.
Beyond the Trailhead
A Simple Shape for Solving Complex Problems
Problem solving doesn’t have to be overly complicated - but it does require structure. That’s where one of our favorite tools comes in: a six-sided framework we call the Problem-Solving Hexagon. It’s simple, repeatable, and powerful. It keeps teams focused, surfaces blind spots, and makes sure we’ve considered the perspectives that matter most.
Here’s how it works:
What - What problem are we really solving? Is it one big problem or several smaller ones?
Who - Who has the problem? Who’s impacted? Who cares about those people?
Why - Why does this problem persist? Why is solving it worth the effort?
How - How are we addressing it now? How could we address it in the future?
When - When does this need to be solved? What’s the timeline or compelling event?
What’s Next - What are the immediate, short-term, and long-term steps?
Why the shape matters: If any side is weak, there’s risk. We may accept that risk - but at least we’ll know it’s there. The hexagon forces clarity before action, so you’re not solving the wrong problem or missing the voices that matter.
Your turn: Pick a real challenge your team is facing. Walk through each side of the hexagon together. Map it out on a whiteboard, identify gaps, agree on priorities, and create your plan.
Better questions lead to better answers and better results.
Voices from the Trail
Meet Mike – founder of Find My Catalyst
Not all growth tools are created equal and the differences between coaching, mentoring, and training might surprise you. Each has its place, but knowing when to apply which can make the difference between stalled progress and meaningful transformation.
Listen to this episode on Spotify
Hitting the Trail
We’re lacing up and heading out. Here’s where Catalyst will be in the coming weeks. Join us on the path and be part of the conversation.
That’s it for this week.
Keep putting one intentional step in front of the other - the view gets better and better as you climb.
The Find My Catalyst Team