"I'm Not Asking You to Move Stones, But If I Were…": A Thought-Experiment in Problem-Solving

[dudo]

Sometimes, to illustrate the difference between rote physical labor and truly thoughtful work, it helps to borrow a vivid metaphor. Consider the phrase: "I'm not asking you to move stones, but if I were…" This isn't a common idiom or a well-known saying, but it's a powerful way to prompt more reflective, strategic thinking.

By evoking the image of "moving stones"—a straightforward, backbreaking task that usually requires little analysis—you invite people to compare that purely manual approach with the more complex challenges you might actually be dealing with. If you were literally asked to move stones from one place to another, you might do it without questioning why the stones are there in the first place. But since that's not what's being asked, it's worth pausing and asking deeper questions.

Shifting from Doing to Understanding

Picture a pile of stones dumped at the edge of a worksite. If your only instruction was to move them, you'd likely just pick them up and transport them where you're told. But let's challenge that by asking a series of "why" questions, much like the familiar "Five Whys" technique used in root cause analysis:

1. Why are these stones here to begin with?

   1. Did someone deliver them intentionally?
   2. Did they tumble down due to a landslide?
   3. Were they placed here as a temporary measure?

2. If they were placed intentionally, why this specific location?

   1. Was it chosen for convenience?
   2. Out of habit?
   3. Because no one questioned it before?

3. Who decided they should be placed here, and what was their original purpose?

   1. Is there a decision-maker or process behind this choice?
   2. What need were they trying to address?

4. What problem arises from leaving them in place or moving them without question?

   1. Are the stones obstructing construction?
   2. Wasting labor?
   3. Causing inefficiencies in the workflow?

5. What would the ideal outcome look like if we address the root issue rather than just hauling stones around?

   1. Can we place the stones directly where they're needed?
   2. Do we need to reinforce that neighboring mountain?
   3. Could we improve communication and coordination so that stones don't need to be moved twice?

From Simple Task to Systemic Thinking

By swapping out brute force "moving stones" for thoughtful inquiry, you're elevating the conversation. Instead of accepting an inefficient status quo, you're pushing for systemic improvements. You're not just a laborer responding to instructions—you're a problem-solver uncovering root causes and seeking more elegant solutions.

This shift in perspective highlights why it's important to ask questions before rushing to act. It's not about refusing to carry stones; it's about recognizing that the bigger win comes from understanding why they're there at all. In doing so, you prevent unnecessary effort and pave the way for more thoughtful, efficient processes—turning a simple metaphor into a powerful tool for strategic thinking.