Solve the Right Problem: How Shared Language and Values Unlock Better Solutions

You know the meeting I’m talking about.

It starts with energy: “Let’s solve this together!” Everyone nods. Five minutes in, the wheels start wobbling:

• One person’s optimizing for speed.
• Someone else insists on cost savings.
• And that quiet teammate? They’re pretty sure none of this makes sense, but they’ll just keep taking notes.

Thirty minutes later, the meeting ends with no solution, mild frustration, and a vague plan to “circle back next time.”

Here’s the real problem: You weren’t solving the same problem because you weren’t speaking the same language.

If you don’t define what you mean—and what matters most—you’ll keep debating good vs. bad when you should be asking: “How well does this solution fit what we value?”

In this post, I’ll show you how to:

1. Align on shared definitions to avoid invisible mismatches.
2. Agree on solution values so priorities are clear.
3. Evaluate solutions based on alignment, not opinions.

Ready? Let’s fix those messy meetings.

Why Shared Language Is Step One

“We need a world-class solution.”
Sounds great… but what does “world-class” actually mean?

I once worked with a team who used this phrase like gospel. When I asked them to define it, one person described an automated, seamless experience. Another imagined personalized, concierge-level support.

See the problem? They thought they were aligned because they were using the same words, but their mental models were miles apart.

Your Move: Define Key Terms
Before diving into solutions, ask:

• “What does that mean to you?”
• “How will we know when we’ve achieved it?”

Write these definitions down in a shared workspace (Miro board, Google Doc, whiteboard). This keeps everyone on the same page and frees up mental energy for solving problems, not holding definitions in memory.

Real-World Example:
Team debate: “We need the app to be scalable.”

• Person A: “It should handle 10,000 users next month.”
• Person B: “It should work for 10 million users in two years.”

Solution: Write a shared definition: “Scalable means supporting 10x growth in the next 6 months while maintaining performance.”

The result? Everyone’s solving for the same thing.

Align on Solution Values—What Matters Most?

Before brainstorming ideas, ask:

• “What’s most important about this solution?”

This is where the team identifies priorities like:

• Scalable: Can we handle growth?
• Resilient: Will it work reliably over time?
• Accessible: Is it usable for everyone?
• Cost-Effective: Can we deliver it without breaking the budget?

Then ask:

• “Of these, what’s MOST important?”

Why This Works:

1. Aligning on values creates an anchor for decision-making.
2. Instead of fighting for personal preferences, the team evaluates ideas against what they agreed really matters.

Real-World Example:
You’re building a new platform. The team agrees the solution needs to be:

1. Scalable
2. Accessible
3. Cost-Effective

When the ideas come in:

• Solution A scales well but needs more budget.
• Solution B is affordable but won’t handle growth.

By revisiting the agreed values, the team can say:

• “We prioritized scalability first, so Solution A is the better fit.”

Bonus: This avoids debates about whether something is “good” or “bad”—it’s simply about fit.

Evaluate Ideas—Two Simple Approaches

Once you’ve brainstormed solutions, evaluate them based on alignment with your values. Here’s how:

Option 1: The Values Scorecard

Use a simple scorecard to rate each solution against your prioritized values:

Why It Works: It’s objective, measurable, and easy to compare.

But: If scoring feels rigid, move to Option 2.

Option 2: Qualitative Alignment Discussion

Sometimes, numbers aren’t helpful. Instead, list how each solution aligns with—or falls short of—the team’s values:

Ask:

• “In what ways does this solution align with what we value most?”
• “Where does it fall short?”

The conversation stays constructive, and the team can identify ways to refine solutions further.

Bringing It Together—The Full Framework

Here’s your step-by-step process for unlocking better solutions:

1. Define Key Terms: Agree on shared definitions before you start.
2. Align on Solution Values: Decide what matters most.
3. Brainstorm Ideas: Use prompts like “What alternatives can we consider?”
4. Evaluate Solutions: Use a scorecard or qualitative alignment discussion.
5. Choose and Refine: Anchor your decision to shared values.

Conclusion

Teams don’t get stuck because they lack ideas. They get stuck because they’re solving for different things.

By aligning on language and values first, you avoid unnecessary debates, focus on what matters, and leave with solutions everyone can stand behind.

Next Step: At your next team meeting, ask:

1. “What do we mean by [key term]?”
2. “What’s most important for this solution?”

The results will surprise you.

What techniques have worked for you when aligning teams? Let me know in the comments, or connect with me for more leadership insights.