On 7 July 2005, four suicide bombers struck London’s transport network, killing 52 people and injuring over 770 others. Shortly after, I met up with an old friend who worked in counter-terrorism in the UK. As always, there was very little he could share about his work, but one thing he did say has always stayed with me was that whilst they did not prevent these attacks, “You do not see, nor will you ever know, about those that we do prevent”. Now, what he did talk to me about often (though in generalities, of course) was the deep work that could be done in order to “prevent rather than solve”, such as to reach young men such as these suicide bombers before they could become radicalised.
In business, all too often I see people solving the immediate problem, often as they are rushed and want to “get results”. Often though, taking time to pause, to really assess what could prevent future problems, can be an example of “10x” thinking that creates far longer-lasting value than simply solving the current one. One thought is to start by asking what our system of rewards is, and whether we reward solving currently visible problems more than we reward those who prevent problems before they ever occur.
Hat tip to Shane Parrish of Farnam Street for reminding me of this clip, showing two alternate ways a scene was filmed in Superman II. The setting is Niagara Falls, and Clark Kent is with Lois Lane. The scene is filmed in two different ways. The first version has Clark seeing a young boy climb over the railings and the parents not paying attention. He rushes over, and makes sure the boy doesn’t fall. Problem prevented. No drama, Clark carries on unnoticed. The second version, however, has the problem failing to be prevented, so the boy falls towards the tumult of Niagara Falls. Clark slips away, and then Superman appears and saves the boy. Problem solved, Superman becomes the hero once more.