We all watched the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian this past week. For local residents and those coming to the rescue, it may have seemed almost impossible to judge the condition of different areas. Was water available? Was the power on? Were communications and the internet up and running? And on and on and on. But there is one rough guide that first responders have learned to use as a benchmark in assessing the condition of different locales – the Waffle House Index. And there is a lesson in this for all of us.
The Waffle House index was coined by former FEMA administrator, Craig Fugate who noticed that Waffle House locations able to quickly reopen after storms, became a sign of how much damage that community had sustained. Over time, this index has been adopted as a benchmark for rescue personnel to determine where their efforts need to be focused the most.
Why has the Waffle House Index caught on? Because it is relatable. Everyone knows what a Waffle House is. And if the Waffle House in your area has a green sign, it is offering a full menu and the surrounding community is probably functioning as well. A yellow sign means a limited menu and limited power. A red sign means the store has closed and has suffered significant damage.
The keyword here is “relatable.” When posing a problem, it is critical that we explain it in such a way that people think, “Oh! I get what you mean.” In many cases, the explanation begins with the phrases, “It’s just like . . .” or “It’s kind of like.” If you see recognition in their eyes, you know you can move toward solving the problem.
Think about a problem or concept that you have to explain to others. If you begin with the words, “It’s sort of like . . .” what example would you use? People don’t solve problems until they relate to them on their terms. Make this a practice and you’ll see better results.