Most people think of a problem in one of two ways. It is either the gap between the current situation and a desired outcome, or it is an obstacle preventing someone from achieving a goal. While these definitions are widely accepted, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2021) offers another perspective that is both thought-provoking and practical.
It defines a problem as:
“A question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution; an intricate unsettled question; a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation; and difficulty in understanding or accepting.”
This definition shifts the focus from viewing problems as barriers to seeing them as questions waiting to be answered.
Every Problem Begins with a Question
The first insight from this definition is that a problem is fundamentally a question. Rather than being a fixed obstacle, it is an inquiry into something that has yet to be understood or resolved.
Viewing problems as questions changes how they are approached. Instead of immediately trying to eliminate a problem, attention turns to identifying the right question. In fact, one of the most powerful coaching questions used in leadership development is:
“If your problem were a question, what would that question be?”
This simple shift reframes the conversation. After all, every solution is essentially the answer to a question.
Questions Encourage Curiosity Instead of Assumptions
The distinction between stating a problem and asking a question is more significant than it first appears.
When people state a problem, they often assume they already know what the issue is. This can limit exploration and reinforce existing assumptions. Statements tend to reflect certainty, even when the real cause remains unclear.
Questions, however, create a different mindset. They invite curiosity, encourage exploration, and keep people open to discovering new information. Instead of operating from a position of “knowing,” they begin investigating possibilities. This openness often leads to deeper insights and more effective solutions.
Unsettled Questions Drive Critical Thinking
The dictionary also describes a problem as an unsettled question, one without a clear answer.
Unanswered questions naturally create tension. People are motivated to seek resolution because uncertainty feels incomplete. This internal drive encourages investigation, reflection, and learning.
This idea closely aligns with philosopher and educator John Dewey, who famously wrote in How We Think:
“The origin of thinking is some perplexity, confusion, or doubt.”
Both problems and thinking begin with uncertainty. Every unresolved problem reflects unresolved thinking. Rather than focusing solely on external circumstances, it is often worthwhile to examine the thinking behind the problem.
Questions such as the following can uncover valuable insights:
- What assumptions are being made?
- What information is missing?
- What thinking may be incomplete or inaccurate?
- What perspective has not yet been considered?
Improving the quality of thinking often brings people much closer to an effective solution.
Understanding Is Often the Missing Piece
The dictionary further describes a problem as difficulty in understanding something.
Many workplace challenges arise not because people lack effort, but because they lack understanding. Miscommunication, incorrect assumptions, flawed reasoning, or applying the wrong approach to a situation frequently create unnecessary obstacles.
Sometimes the real problem is simply that people do not yet know how to achieve what they want. In these cases, the missing element is not motivation but knowledge, capability, or strategy.
By identifying gaps in understanding, individuals and teams can focus on learning rather than merely reacting to symptoms.
Acceptance Can Also Be Part of the Solution
Another overlooked aspect of problem-solving is acceptance.
Some problems persist because people struggle to accept reality as it is. This does not mean approving of difficult circumstances or enjoying them. Rather, it means acknowledging facts before attempting to change them.
People may resist accepting setbacks, mistakes, organizational changes, difficult feedback, market conditions, or events from the past. Yet refusing to acknowledge reality often prolongs frustration and delays progress.
Acceptance creates a foundation for effective action. Once reality is recognised, energy can be directed toward finding practical solutions instead of resisting circumstances that cannot be changed.
A New Way to Think About Problems
Viewing a problem as a question offers a valuable shift in perspective. Instead of seeing problems merely as obstacles, they become opportunities for inquiry, learning, and better thinking.
Every problem begins with a question that has not yet been answered. It reflects uncertainty, challenges understanding, and sometimes requires acceptance before progress can be made.
The next time a difficult situation arises, rather than asking, “What’s wrong?”, a more productive question may be:
“What question is this problem asking?”
Finding the right question is often the first, and most important, step toward discovering the right answer.
Curated by Danielle Tan.
Reference:
- [Neurons] 2026 Neurons #30 A PROBLEM IS A QUESTIONby L. Michael Hall, Ph.D. Executive Director, ISNS.
