Naming the Unknown
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When I walk my dog, people often ask, “What kind of animal is that?”
They’ve made some wild guesses, such as:
- Wolf.
- Hyena.
- Raccoon.
Can you imagine? It’s easier for them to believe a wild animal is roaming the city than to think it’s a rare breed of dog.
These moments remind me how we can get lost in our own illusions. In new situations, people often choose the absurd but familiar option, even if they’ve only seen a hyena once in a movie or zoo.
The same thing happens in business when people encounter something new. They rush to label the problem with something familiar from a known list.
As Confucius said, it’s hard to find a black cat in a dark room, especially if it’s not there. Mislabeling a problem guarantees wasted time, nerves, and money.
It’s important to learn to tolerate what’s unclear and uncertain.
The goal is to name the problem as precisely as possible. Sometimes you have to find the answer in the exotic corner, and sometimes you have to invent a name.
In any creative process, defining the problem right is the first step.
Sincerely yours,
-Alexander
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