Problems often persist not because they are hard, but because nobody's paying attention to them. These eight fictitious studies are sketches of what paying attention can look like in practice.

The Well-Dressed Intern

Aaron wanted to make a strong impression in his first week as an intern, optimizing his appearance to be taken seriously. He aimed to both fit into the office culture and subtly signal his status as an intern, making it significantly easier to ask so-called "stupid questions."

During his interviews, Aaron paid careful attention to the office's general dress code. He noted the typical button-downs and khakis, but also observed senior associates leaning towards slightly more formal attire.

Based on these observations, Aaron devised a specific strategy: a blue suit, two shades lighter than standard navy for his first day, transitioning to the office's casual norm (button-down and khakis) from the second week. He'd still wear the blue jacket into the office each morning, and leave it hanging on the back of his chair. This lighter blue was a deliberate signal, aiming for an impression of professional effort without becoming over-formal and burdensome.

The strategy worked pretty well. Colleagues modelled him as appropriately professional, yet didn't mind his approaches. When he asked basic questions, they responded helpfully rather than dismissively. Within three weeks, he'd effectively used his attire to shape initial perceptions, establishing himself as competent, and also still learning.

The Family Planners

Bea and her spouse, parents to a two-year-old daughter, were trying to decide whether to have more children. There was no miscommunication, or hidden preferences; they'd discussed it extensively and understood each other's positions perfectly, having paid close attention to each other's arguments and feelings.

One felt a strong, non-negotiable desire for another child. They loved parenting, believed their daughter would benefit from a sibling, and imagined their family feeling incomplete with just one.

The other felt overwhelmed raising just one child. They loved their daughter intensely, but found the sleep deprivation, constant vigilance, and reduced autonomy exhausting. They worried about finances, their relationship, and their capacity to be a good parent to multiple children simultaneously, and were honestly concerned about their e...

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