Insight #3

“Every challenge has layers—wisdom comes from peeling them patiently.”

Author: Mani Skaria, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Texas A&M–Kingsville
President & CEO, US Citrus
Location: Amman & Jordan Valley, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Production Date: August 31, 2025

Narrative

I arrived in Amman as part of a five‑member USAID team—the Jordan Valley Agricultural Services Project—seconded through Washington State University during the time of His Majesty King Hussein. My brief was citrus. In my first week, however, the Minister of Agriculture sent an urgent request: Jordan had imported certified seed potatoes from the Netherlands, and some growers were reporting that the tubers were rotting in the ground.

I knew nothing about potatoes. My first instinct—echoing a lesson from graduate school at Purdue—was to say so plainly: if you do not know, say you do not know, and seek help. I conveyed that I lacked expertise in potatoes, even adding a light joke that my experience with potatoes was limited to French fries. The humor did not land. I quickly learned an important cross-cultural lesson: this was a kingdom; when a minister asks for help, one does not decline it.

Because I was unfamiliar with potatoes, I focused on fundamentals. I asked basic questions: What exactly is a seed potato? What are the normal planting dates? What were the field conditions? I examined sacks of tubers by hand—checking for firmness, odor, and cut surfaces—and found nothing suggestive of disease. The mystery deepened.

Then a simple, non‑technical detail emerged: some farmers had planted the moment the shipment arrived, far earlier than recommended. These fields were in the Jordan Valley—the lowest land on earth near the Dead Sea—where summer heat is extreme. The ‘rotting’ tubers were not diseased at all—they were baking. It was a timing issue, not a pathological issue.

With that finding, the response became straightforward: reinforce proper planting windows; communicate that early planting during peak heat converts valuable seed into cooked potatoes; and support growers with clear extension materials and scheduling. The lesson for me was larger than potatoes. When you face the unknown, peel it like an onion—one layer at a time—and let simple questions reveal the core.

The Insight (Key Takeaways)

• Admit the unknowns early; it builds trust and sets a plan.

• Ask basic, non‑threatening questions that cut across disciplines.

• Look before you lab: hands‑on inspection can rule out disease quickly.

• Respect context and culture; adapt your communication style.

• Map authority and resources before pursuing solutions.

• Beware of calendar drift—early planting can be fatal to seed.

Applications

For Policymakers: Ensure that extension services highlight timing and context, not just technical details.

For Farmers: Follow recommended planting schedules; avoid confusing early planting with optimal planting.

For Young Professionals: Use humility and simple observation to solve unfamiliar problems.

For Scientists: Approach the unknown with structured fundamentals; peel problems layer by layer.

Quotes

Dr. Mani’s Quote
“When you meet an unfamiliar problem, peel it like an onion—observe, ask simple questions, and remove one layer at a time until the answer is too plain to ignore.”

Famous Quote
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.” – Albert Schweitzer.

Reflection Questions

• Have you ever faced an unfamiliar problem and solved it with simple questions?

• How do you react when you are asked to solve something outside your expertise?

• In what ways can respecting cultural context change how your solutions are received?

• What current challenge could you ‘peel like an onion’ today?

Closing Note

Thank you for reading this USAID lesson. My hope is that it helps you rethink challenges—not as walls, but as complex problems that can be patiently unraveled. Humility, curiosity, and methodical observation are tools that serve across nations and disciplines.

Tagline

“Unknowns are not walls; they are layers. Peel, don’t panic.”