What Is Not an Example of a Solution
Here's a scenario that plays out in offices, homes, and group chats everywhere: someone presents an idea, calls it a solution, and everyone nods along — until problems persist. The "solution" didn't actually solve anything. It just looked like one It's one of those things that adds up..
This happens more often than you'd think. And it matters, because mistaking non-solutions for actual fixes wastes time, money, and energy. Worse, it lets the original problem fester while everyone feels like they're doing something productive And it works..
So let's get clear on something: understanding what isn't a solution is just as important as knowing what is. Here's why.
What Is a Solution Anyway?
Before we talk about what doesn't qualify, let's ground ourselves in what actually does. A solution is something that resolves a problem or achieves a desired outcome. That's the core definition — simple, but important.
But here's what trips people up: not everything that addresses a problem is a solution. Still, there's a difference between activity and progress. There's a difference between acknowledging an issue and fixing it. And there's a huge difference between something that looks like it solves a problem and something that actually does.
A real solution has a few key traits. It directly targets the root cause. It produces measurable results. It holds up over time, not just in the moment. And when you remove it, the problem comes back — which proves it was actually doing something Less friction, more output..
The Difference Between Solutions and Palliatives
One of the most useful distinctions is between solutions and palliatives. A palliative is something that makes you feel better without actually fixing the underlying problem. It's comfort, not cure The details matter here. Turns out it matters..
Take a headache. Is the pill a solution? The pain came back, didn't it? You pop a painkiller — and the headache goes away. Well, if your headache was caused by dehydration, the pill masked the symptom while the actual problem (your body needing water) remained. That's a palliative, not a solution And it works..
You'll probably want to bookmark this section.
This matters because palliatives feel like solutions. On the flip side, they produce immediate relief. They let you check a box. But they're not actually solving anything — they're just making the symptoms bearable enough that you stop paying attention.
Why Understanding Non-Solutions Matters
Why should you care about distinguishing real solutions from fake ones? Three reasons.
First, efficiency. Still, when you mistake a non-solution for the real thing, you keep circling back to the same problem. Also, you think you've handled it. You move on. Then it resurfaces, and you start from scratch. This is exhausting and wasteful Small thing, real impact..
Second, trust. If you're the one constantly offering "solutions" that don't actually work, people stop taking you seriously. There's a credibility cost to repeatedly missing the mark.
Third, opportunity cost. So every minute you spend on a non-solution is a minute you're not spending on something that would actually help. The cost isn't just the failed attempt — it's everything else you could've been doing instead.
The Real-World Impact
This isn't just theoretical. Now, in business, non-solutions show up as band-aid fixes, temporary workarounds, and process changes that check a compliance box but don't improve anything. In personal life, they're the diets that don't address the relationship with food, the arguments that don't touch the actual conflict, or the "I'm fine" that doesn't make anything fine No workaround needed..
In each case, there's a cost. Sometimes it's small. Sometimes it's massive.
Common Non-Examples of Solutions
Now let's get specific. But what exactly doesn't qualify as a solution? Here's a rundown of the most common offenders.
1. Symptoms Treatment
Treating symptoms is the classic non-solution. You're not addressing why the problem exists — you're just dealing with the visible effects Simple, but easy to overlook..
Your team is constantly missing deadlines. The "solution"? On the flip side, add more check-ins. Practically speaking, more meetings. More oversight. But if the real problem is unrealistic timelines or unclear priorities, more check-ins won't fix anything. They'll just create more busywork and more frustration.
That's a symptom treatment. It feels proactive. It looks like action. But it's not touching the actual cause.
2. Activity Without Outcome
Sometimes people confuse motion with progress. They confuse being busy with being effective.
"We had a meeting about the problem." That's an activity. Maybe. Did it solve anything? But the meeting itself isn't the solution — the decisions made and actions taken because of the meeting might be Worth keeping that in mind..
This is where a lot of well-intentioned effort goes to die. Teams spend hours discussing issues, planning responses, mapping out strategies — and then never actually implement anything. Here's the thing — the activity feels productive. The problem remains And that's really what it comes down to. Which is the point..
3. Temporary Fixes That Become Permanent
Quick patches aren't inherently bad. Sometimes you need something to hold things together while you find a real fix. The problem is when the patch becomes the permanent state But it adds up..
You're short-staffed, so everyone works overtime. Which means that's a temporary response to a temporary problem. But if it becomes the norm — if overtime is just how you operate now — then you've stopped solving the staffing issue. You've just accepted a worse reality and called it normal.
4. Solutions to the Wrong Problem
This one sneaks up on people. Here's the thing — you identify a problem, come up with a solution, implement it — and nothing improves. That's because you solved a problem that wasn't actually the problem.
Your sales are down. Even so, you assume it's because your product isn't competitive, so you revamp the product. But the real issue was that your sales team wasn't following up on leads. The product overhaul didn't help because it wasn't addressing what was actually broken.
5. Solutions That Create New Problems
Sometimes the "fix" is worse than the original issue. You solved one thing but created three more It's one of those things that adds up..
You streamline a process to save time, but now quality has dropped. In practice, you cut costs to improve profitability, but now morale is in the tank and people are leaving. You implement a new tool to increase productivity, but now everyone spends more time fighting with the tool than actually working Took long enough..
If your solution creates problems of similar or greater magnitude, it's not really a solution. It's a trade — and often a bad one.
6. Wishful Thinking
Here's one that doesn't look like a non-solution until you point it out: hoping the problem goes away on its own Not complicated — just consistent..
"We're optimistic that demand will pick up.Think about it: " "I'm sure they'll figure it out. " "Maybe it won't be as bad as we think Which is the point..
That's not a strategy. That's not a solution. That's just avoidance dressed up in positive language.
What Makes Something NOT a Solution — A Closer Look
Let's dig deeper into what separates actual solutions from everything above.
A real solution must be targeted. It has to actually address the specific problem, not just something related to it. If your problem is X and your solution addresses Y (even if X and Y are connected), you're probably not solving anything.
Counterintuitive, but true.
A real solution must be effective. That's why it needs to produce the intended result. Not a similar result. Not a partial result. The result. If your solution reduces the problem but doesn't eliminate it — and if that reduction is within normal variation anyway — you might just be fooling yourself The details matter here..
Easier said than done, but still worth knowing.
A real solution must be sustainable. It has to work over time, not just in a controlled test or a one-off scenario. If your solution requires perfect conditions or constant maintenance to function, it's not really solving anything. It's just creating more dependencies.
And a real solution must be verifiable. You should be able to tell whether it's working. Because of that, if you can't measure the impact, you can't know if you've actually solved anything. This is where a lot of "soft" solutions fall apart — the ones that are supposed to improve culture, collaboration, or engagement but have no measurable indicators.
Practical Ways to Identify Non-Solutions
So how do you avoid falling for non-solutions? Here's what actually works.
Ask what actually changed. Not in terms of activity, but in terms of outcomes. Did the problem get resolved? Can you prove it? If you can't point to something concrete that improved, you might be looking at a non-solution.
Check the root cause. Does the solution actually address why the problem exists? Or is it just doing something about the symptoms? This requires honest analysis, which is sometimes uncomfortable — but it's necessary.
Look for unintended consequences. A real solution doesn't create new problems of similar magnitude. If your fix is creating its own set of issues, it's probably not a solution. It's a new problem Less friction, more output..
Set a timeline. When should the solution show results? If the answer is "we'll see" or "it's a long-term thing," that's often a sign that no one actually knows if it works. Real solutions tend to show impact within a predictable timeframe.
Test it. Can you remove the solution and see the problem return? That's actually a good sign — it means the solution was doing something. If the problem stays gone even without the "solution," then the solution probably wasn't doing anything in the first place It's one of those things that adds up..
FAQ
Can a temporary fix ever be considered a solution?
Yes — if it's explicitly temporary and there's a plan for a permanent fix. In real terms, the issue isn't the temporary nature; it's when temporary becomes permanent without anyone acknowledging the shift. A stopgap that bridges you to a real solution is fine. A stopgap that becomes your operating model is a problem Worth keeping that in mind. Surprisingly effective..
What if the solution works but creates a small new problem?
This is normal. Because of that, the key question is: is the new problem smaller than the original problem was? If yes, you probably have a real solution. Does it have its own solution? Most real solutions come with some tradeoffs. Plus, is it manageable? If the new problem is comparable to or worse than the original, you've just shifted problems.
How do I know if I'm solving the right problem?
This is where honest diagnosis matters. Sales are down — why? Because our development cycle is too long. In real terms, because their product is newer. Why? Because we're losing to competitors. One way to test: ask "why" multiple times. Now you're getting somewhere. Consider this: you need to ask whether you've actually identified the root cause or just the most visible symptom. Why? The surface problem (sales) and the real problem (development speed) might need different solutions.
Is it possible to have multiple solutions to one problem?
Absolutely. Some problems can be solved in multiple ways. The key is that each actual solution resolves the problem — not that each attempt at a solution fails and you just keep trying different things hoping something sticks. That's trial and error, not solution-finding Not complicated — just consistent..
What should I do if I've been using non-solutions?
First, stop. Which means second, diagnose again — honestly this time. This leads to recognize that what you've been doing isn't working. Even so, fourth, test it and measure. What's the actual problem? Third, design something targeted. If it's still not working, go back to diagnosis. This process isn't failure; it's how you actually solve things And that's really what it comes down to..
The Bottom Line
Here's what it comes down to: a solution solves a problem. Everything else is just something that feels like it does.
The world is full of activities that look like problem-solving. That said, meetings, plans, initiatives, overhauls, new tools, new processes. Some of these are real solutions. Many aren't. The difference isn't always obvious — which is exactly why people get fooled.
But now you have a framework. That's why produce measurable results. Target the root cause. Make it sustainable. Verify it works.
Anything less? That's not a solution. That's just something else wearing a solution's clothes.
