Pattern… This is a pattern where the person doesn’t share what exactly they are referring to when making a statement such as, “it doesn’t work.” Because there’s
no reference for you to know what’s contributing to the problem, the next step is to dig a little deeper with your response.
Response… The next step is to help the listener to uncover what or who is
creating the problem (or adding to it). Following the above statement, you could
say something like, “what exactly doesn’t work?” This will allow the listener to dig a little deeper and find out exactly what’s contributing to the problem.
Outcome… As soon as the listener is able to identify with what exactly may be creating (or at least contributing) to the problem, they will be able to start to sort for solutions. This will add another perspective that the listener perhaps once did not have prior to your response, and will initiate a newer awareness around how
to deal with the problem, or find the source of the issue.