There Are No Business Problems. Only Human Problems.

An excerpt from a private dialogue . . .

Industry Leader (L)

Myself (M)

L: This has been a problem for some time. And we haven’t found a solution for it. What do you propose we do?

M: The Truth is rarely found head-on.

L: What do you mean?

M: Asking for a solution is false bait. For it assumes that the problem that has been presented is, in fact, the true problem.

L: Then what is the true problem?

M: It would do me no good to speak it. It would do you no good to hear it.

L: Why is that?

M: Because the very instant that I mention the problem, you will begin to think of a solution.

L: But problems are meant to be solved.

M: Perhaps if you are playing trivial pursuit. But the real problems in business are not trivial pursuit. Nor are they “business” problems. They are human problems.

L: And how do we solve these human problems in our business?

M: This requires a different quality of search. A search for the end of all problems.

L: The end of all problems?

M: Yes.

L: Is there such a thing?

M: May I ask you a question?

L: Yes.

M: You ask if there is such a thing as an end to all problems. I ask you if there is such a thing as a solution to a given problem.

L: Can you please explain?

M: For how many years have you been doing this?

L: Searching for solutions?

M: Yes.

L: Forty-two years.

M: And after forty-two years, each problem that you have solved has been followed by another problem. Is this not correct?

L: Yes.

M: You question the practicality and possibility of arriving at an end to all problems. A concept that you have never considered. But the approach with which you have forty-two years of experience leaves you endlessly spinning your wheels. And that approach you do not question at all.

L: I’m not sure what to say to that . . . This is just the way it has always been done.

M: I understand.

L: What you are then saying is that the problem is not the problem.

M: This is indeed what I am saying.

L: Why do we do this?

M: You have asked a sincere question. I will give you a sincere answer. The reason that humans do this is because they have little interest in permanence.

L: Permanence?

M: Yes. They have very little interest in arriving at the Ultimate.

L: Why?

M: If you live within a particular river, you become swept along by the momentum. It would be counterintuitive to question this river. It would be abnormal to question the momentum.

L: What does the river signify?

M: The culture in which you live. The society that you call home. The environment that has shaped your momentum.

L: What you’re saying is to do things differently than everyone else. Which is something I’ve always done. And it’s led me to the accomplishments I’ve garnered.

M: I understand. And you are not incorrect. But you have done things differently only with regard to the details within this river. Consider this. If you have garnered this level of success by changing only the details, what would be the result of changing the direction of its entire flow?

L: This would be a game-changer.

M: Is this not what you seek?

L: Absolutely . . . It’s funny, I’ve always been told that I’m too ambitious. But, ironically, what you are saying is that I’m not ambitious enough!

M: The question of whether ambition serves a man or hinders him is a matter for another time. But if one does subscribe to ambition, is he not a pretender if he does not take this ambition to its ultimate heights?

L: Absolutely. I’m all-in. Where do we go from here?

M: What is it that you want?

L: Everything.

M: Then we will approach matters from the standpoint of permanence.

L: Meaning, not to find the solution to one problem, but to all problems?

M: Yes.

L: Now that I consider this idea, why wouldn’t everyone want put an end to all their problems?

M: Because without problems, the room of one’s life becomes intolerably empty.

L: But empty in a good way.

M: Empty in a disarming way. Freedom is welcomed by a few. But frightening for most.

L: For me, the very prospect of bringing an end to all my problems is a Utopia. Just thinking about it makes me inspired.

M: We will begin tomorrow.

L: Excellent. But would you mind giving me a sneak preview of how we will begin?

M: We will begin with the mother of all your problems. The one that has been eroding your base foundation for most of your adult life. You know of the problem of which I speak.

L: Yes I do.

Namaste.