"What problem are you trying to solve" - it's always great to ask this question in your head after most sentences you say...however I find it doesn't work v well when working with lawyers...they often translate it into "delaying tactics" and ask "can't we just get on with it"...

...or say (for example) "the problem is that I want to buy this piece of tech and I'm not allowed to buy it"... or "the problem is that I need everybody to work on separate word docs and then an easy way to collate them all afterwards into a big word doc"...

"What problem are you trying to solve" is great to use with people who are already bought into problem spotting...but for people who aren't, I find asking this question slightly differently to be a bit more successful...

Sometimes you have to pick around a bit and help them e.g. "so what you're trying to do is basically tell the client if any red flags exist in these contracts"...often they then tell you you're wrong...then you've got them in problem finding mode

In fact, saying stuff you know is going to get you shot down is a really great way of getting navigating conversations..."have you tried using excel for your DD report"..."oh no we havent because it's too hard to use, but I guess it would make producing charts easier"

Anyway, we all know it's so crucial to spot the problem first, but I find people not familiar with this approach may get scared if you pose things in stark terms...so I think there are some little things you can do to ease them into it. Now time for some christmas wine.