According to the U.S Census, in 2023, the official poverty rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 11.1 percent. There were 36.8 million people in poverty in 2023. As poverty remains on the decline for most of my home city of Syracuse, New York has a poverty crisis. It leads the nation in extreme concentrated poverty for Blacks and Hispanics, and the city has a child poverty rate of 45.6% in estimates covering the most recent five-year period (2019 to 2023). This can be defined outright as a wicked problem.<\/p>\n
In Exploring Wicked Problems What They are and Why They are Important<\/em>, Joseph Bentley and Micheal Toth say wicked problems present us with real predicaments. They are confusing, dynamic, ill-structured, and ambiguous. They are complex, multi-faceted, and bewildering. [1] Another type of problems are \u201ctame\u201d problems which have clear parameters and solutions attached.<\/p>\n Bentley and Toth\u2019s work is inspired by former Secretary of State George Shultz’s distinction between problems you can solve and problems you can only work at. I am reminded of our Washington DC intensive, where another Washington Insider, Mack Mc Clarty, stressed the importance of building bridges and relationships in handling some of the nation\u2019s paramount issues during his time in office.<\/p>\n Bentley and Toth suggest that the recognition of Wicked problems is an idea whose time has come.[2] Poverty, by this definition, is a wicked problem. The time has come to really develop a strategic plan as the have-nots are becoming an ever-emerging population in America. From my perspective, moving poverty to a tame problem is like physically attempting to move a mountain. While there are solutions, those solutions are vast and far from clear, particularly in this current socio-economic climate.<\/p>\n Problems<\/strong><\/p>\n When we talk about problems, rather than taking a step forward, we often tend to take one backward. [3] I appreciate how the authors take a proactive step forward. In the book, they list 9 ways to move messes to problems in hopes of finding a solution:[4]<\/p>\n 1. Embrace the Mess Historically, I have found that when problems go unsolved, shelved, or awry, it is because suggestions 1 to 3 are not well practiced. Embracing, finding, and owning the problem is a huge undertaking. The major culprit in preventing numbers 1 to 3 from reaching fruition is often rooted in denial and misunderstanding. As I contemplate the wicked problem syndrome, I am left to ask how many messes and problems could be better tended to if misunderstanding and denial were not significant roadblocks? The book speaks to organizations and the endless problems they face. Drawing from the well of organizational consultation, Steven Covey shares a behind-the-scenes look at organizations. Even the best organizations I\u2019ve worked with are absolutely filled with problems. The pain from these problems is becoming more and more acute. [5]<\/p>\n I am reminded of Andrew Liveris\u2019 writing in Leading through Disruption<\/em> where he states. Business and government don\u2019t understand each other. People working in the public sector don\u2019t understand business and people who work in the corporate environment only dimly understand the corporate sector. [6] If misunderstanding and denial abounds in these major sectors how many people are left to become casualties of consequence?<\/p>\n Bentley and Toth offer another analogy called High Ground and Swamp. The high ground is where there is firm footing, good light, and useful and effective tools to work with. [7] In the swamp, there is no firm place to stand, people are in over their heads, and the light is bad, dark, gloomy, and uncertain. [8] Poverty is certainly found in the swamp if you ask many. A\u00a0good start would be elevating it to high ground.<\/p>\n Solutions<\/strong><\/p>\n Here are my 3 possible suggestions to begin moving poverty from the swamp to higher ground:<\/p>\n 1. Make a credible investment in education- Teachers are underpaid, and students must be STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) prepared to meet this present and future age.<\/p>\n 2. Housing- Housing must become affordable for all. This moves beyond merely the construction of low-cost housing and rent assistance programs, but making the price of home ownership affordable for individuals and families. This could potentially reduce homelessness and increase housing insecurity.<\/p>\n 3. Reinforce Social Safety\u2014In the wake of food insecurity, emphasizing food insecurity and assistance, childcare support, and access to healthcare could undo some of the heavy financial burdens on struggling families.<\/p>\n Moving from swamp to higher ground would certainly be a start, but seeing poverty eradicated from one of the wealthiest companies in the world would be an ultimate finish.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1] Joseph Bentley and Michael Toth, Exploring Wicked Problems: What They are and Why They are Important, (Bloomington, IN: Archway Publishing, 2020).34. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" According to the U.S Census, in 2023, the official poverty rate fell 0.4 percentage points to 11.1 percent. 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\n2. Find the problem
\n3. Own the Problem
\n4. Create the Problem
\n5. Define the Problem
\n6. Name the Problem
\n7. Identify the Obstacles
\n8. Recruit, Enlist and Engage Others
\n9. Create and Implement and Action Plan<\/p>\n
\n[2] Bentley and Toth, 18.
\n[3} Bentley and Toth, 75.
\n[4] Bentley and Toth, 81-82.
\n[5] Bentley and Toth,124
\n[6] Liveris, Andrew. Leading through Disruption: A Changemaker\u2019s Guide to Twenty-First Century Leadership. (New York, NY: HarperCollins Leadership, 2023). 164.
\n[7] Bentley and Toth, 129.
\n[8] Ibid.<\/p>\n