How to discuss challenges and find answers together
The Hook: Every Business Has Problems
What's the difference between a good manager and a great manager?
How they talk about problems.
Problems happen in every business. Deliveries are late. Customers complain. Technology breaks. Budgets are too small. The question isn't IF you'll have problems - it's HOW you discuss them.
70%
of workplace problems get worse because people don't talk about them clearly. They complain but don't propose solutions. Or they stay silent and hope the problem goes away.
Source: Harvard Business Review, 2023
The Complainer vs The Problem-Solver
The Complainer
"This is terrible. Nothing works. Why does this always happen?"
Result: People feel negative. No action.
The Problem-Solver
"The issue is X. One solution could be Y. What if we tried Z?"
Result: Clear thinking. Action happens.
3x
Employees who propose solutions (not just problems) are three times more likely to be promoted within two years.
Source: LinkedIn Workplace Report, 2024
David's Story - Project Manager, Dublin
David's team was behind on a project. In the meeting, he said: "We have a problem. We're two weeks behind." Then he stopped talking. His manager asked: "OK, so what do you suggest?" David had no answer. He looked unprepared.
David learned: "Never bring a problem without at least one possible solution. Even if your solution isn't perfect, it shows you're thinking, not just complaining."
Sofia's Story - Sales Manager, Lisbon
Sofia noticed that customer complaints were increasing. In the team meeting, she said: "The issue is that response times are too slow - customers wait 48 hours for answers. One solution could be to hire a part-time support person. Or, what if we created FAQ videos so customers can help themselves?"
Result: Her manager was impressed. Sofia got promoted six months later. She said: "The key was showing I understood the problem AND had ideas to fix it."
The Professional Approach
Good problem-solving in English follows a simple pattern:
Name the problem clearly - "The issue is..."
Suggest possible solutions - "One solution could be..."
Invite other ideas - "What if we...?" / "Have you thought about...?"
Agree on action - "Let's try... and see what happens"
In this lesson, you'll learn 5 phrases that make you sound like a problem-solver, not a complainer.
Phrases A: Naming Problems and Offering Solutions
Click each card to learn the phrase, then practice with "Now You Try."
1 "The problem is..." / "The issue is..."
Click to learn more
When to use it
To clearly identify what's wrong. This is step one - name the problem directly. Don't hide it or use vague words.
How to say it
The PROBLEM is... or The ISSUE is...
"Issue" is slightly softer than "problem" - good for sensitive situations.
Examples
"The problem is that we don't have enough staff for the busy season."
"The issue is that our website is too slow - customers leave before buying."
"The main problem is communication between departments."
NOW YOU TRY
Situation: Your company's delivery times have increased from 3 days to 7 days. Customers are unhappy. Name this problem clearly.
Start with:
The problem is...The issue is...The main problem is...
Complete the sentence:
...that delivery times have increased to 7 days....that customers are waiting too long for their orders.
2 "One solution could be..."
Click to learn more
When to use it
After naming a problem, offer a possible solution. "One solution" shows you have ideas but you're open to other suggestions too. It's humble but helpful.
How to say it
One solution COULD be...
"Could" is important - it shows this is a suggestion, not a demand.
Variations
"One option could be..."
"One idea is..."
"One way to fix this could be..."
Example
"The problem is we're over budget. One solution could be to delay the marketing campaign until next quarter."
NOW YOU TRY
Situation: Your team has too many meetings - people can't do their real work. You've named the problem. Now suggest a solution.
Start with:
One solution could be...One option could be...One idea is...
Possible solutions:
...to have fewer meetings each week....to make meetings shorter - maximum 30 minutes....to have one "no meeting" day per week.
3 "Have you thought about...?"
Click to learn more
When to use it
To suggest an idea politely, especially to someone senior or when you want to be diplomatic. This is softer than "You should..." or "Why don't you..."
How to say it
Have you thought about + -ing...?
Use the -ing form after "about".
Examples
"Have you thought about hiring freelancers for the busy period?"
"Have you thought about moving the deadline?"
"Have you thought about asking the IT team for help?"
NOW YOU TRY
Situation: A colleague is stressed because they have too much work. Politely suggest that they could ask for help from another team member.
Start with:
Have you thought about...
Complete with -ing:
...asking Maria to help with some tasks?...sharing the work with someone else?...talking to your manager about the workload?
Phrases B: Brainstorming and Taking Action
These phrases help you explore ideas and agree on next steps.
4 "What if we...?"
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When to use it
To suggest a creative idea or explore possibilities. "What if" is great for brainstorming - it opens discussion without committing to the idea.
How to say it
What if we + past simple...?
Use past simple (tried, changed, asked) even though you're talking about the future. This is the second conditional form - it sounds hypothetical and less pushy.
Examples
"What if we changed the process completely?"
"What if we offered customers a discount for waiting?"
"What if we tried a different supplier?"
NOW YOU TRY
Situation: Your company website looks old. Sales are going down. Suggest a creative solution using "What if we..."
Start with:
What if we...
Possible ideas (use past simple):
...redesigned the whole website?...hired a professional designer?...asked customers what they want to see?...looked at what our competitors are doing?
5 "Let's try... and see what happens."
Click to learn more
When to use it
To move from discussing to action. This phrase is perfect for ending a problem-solving discussion. It shows you're ready to test a solution, but you're realistic - you'll check if it works.
How to say it
Let's TRY... and see what happens.
Stress "try" - it shows you're experimenting, not promising a perfect result.
Variations
"Let's test this for a month and see what happens."
"Let's try it and review in two weeks."
"Let's give it a try and see how it goes."
Example
"OK, so we've discussed several options. Let's try the shorter meeting format for two weeks and see what happens. We can always change it if it doesn't work."
NOW YOU TRY
Situation: Your team has been discussing how to improve customer service. You've agreed to try responding to all emails within 4 hours. Close the discussion with action.
Start with:
Let's try...Let's test...Let's give it a try...
Add the timeframe:
...for one month and see what happens....this week and review on Friday....and see how customers respond.
Quick Summary: All 5 Phrases
"The problem/issue is..."
Name it clearly
"One solution could be..."
Offer an idea
"Have you thought about...?"
Suggest politely
"What if we...?"
Brainstorm
"Let's try... and see what happens."
Take action
Your Turn: Discussion Practice
Choose 2-3 cards. For each one, identify the problem AND suggest at least one solution!
1
The Unhappy Customer
A big customer is unhappy with your service. They're thinking about leaving. Your team needs to discuss what went wrong and how to keep them. What's the problem? What solutions could you suggest?
Try: "The issue is..." + "One solution could be..." + "What if we...?"
2
The Budget Cut
Your department's budget has been cut by 20%. You still need to do the same work with less money. How do you discuss this with your team? What's the problem? What could you try?
Try: "The problem is..." + "Have you thought about...?" + "Let's try..."
3
The Late Project
A project is two weeks behind schedule. The client is expecting delivery next Friday. This is impossible. How do you discuss this problem? What options do you have?
Try: "The issue is..." + "One option could be..." + "What if we...?"
4
The Team Conflict
Two people on your team don't work well together. It's affecting everyone. As the manager, how do you discuss this? What's the real problem? What could help?
Try: "The problem is..." + "Have you thought about...?" + "Let's try..."
5
The Quality Issue
Customer complaints have increased 40% in the last three months. Something is wrong with quality. How do you discuss finding and fixing the problem?
Try: "The main issue is..." + "One solution could be..." + "Let's test..."
6
Your Real Challenge
Think about a real problem at your work right now. Describe the problem clearly. Then suggest 2-3 possible solutions. Which one would you try first?
Use all 5 phrases to discuss your real situation!
Deep Dive: Extended Speaking Challenge
Choose ONE challenge and speak for the full time. Use the timer!
3:00
Challenge A: The Problem-Solving Meeting
You're leading a meeting about falling sales (down 15% this year). Walk through the whole discussion: name the problem clearly, suggest 2-3 possible causes, propose solutions, and decide what to try first. Your teacher will play the role of a team member asking questions.
Goal: Use all 5 phrases from today's lesson naturally.
Challenge B: Coaching a Colleague
A junior colleague always complains about problems but never suggests solutions. Their manager is getting frustrated. Give them advice: How should they bring up problems at work? What language should they use? Give examples.
Goal: Explain the "problem-solver vs complainer" approach with specific phrases.
Challenge C: The Difficult Decision
Your company has a problem: sales are good, but you can't deliver fast enough. You have two options: (1) Say no to some customers, or (2) Invest money to expand capacity (but this is risky). Discuss both options. Which would you choose and why?
Goal: Use problem-solving language + opinion phrases from Lesson 3.
Challenge D: Learning from Failure
Think about a time when you tried to solve a problem at work, but your solution didn't work. What was the problem? What did you try? Why didn't it work? What did you learn? What would you do differently now?
Goal: Tell a real story using today's phrases + reflection.
Wrap-Up: Today's Key Phrases
Don't just bring problems. Bring problems + solutions.
Your 5 New Phrases
"The problem/issue is..."
Name it clearly first
"One solution could be..."
Offer a humble suggestion
"Have you thought about...?"
Suggest politely (+ -ing)
"What if we...?"
Brainstorm creatively
"Let's try... and see what happens."
Move to action
Remember David and Sofia?
David named the problem but had no solutions - he looked unprepared.
Sofia named the problem AND suggested solutions - she got promoted.
The difference? Being a problem-solver, not a complainer.
The Problem-Solver's Formula
Step 1: Name It
"The issue is..."
Step 2: Solve It
"One solution could be..."
Homework Suggestion
This week:
When you notice a problem at work, write down 2 possible solutions before you mention it to anyone
In your next meeting, use "What if we..." to suggest at least one idea
End one discussion with "Let's try... and see what happens"
Excellent work today!
Next lesson: Closing Meetings and Following Up Lesson 6 of 6 - Final lesson!