Why context is so important

I prefer the word "structure" in place of "context" because people seem to have a better understanding of what that means and why it's important.

Whether we're talking about words (the context of a politician's remark) or experiences (the context of a startup founder's dilemma), these things do not exist on their own. They have a history. They relate to other words and other experiences. There are sometimes complex interactions between different pieces.

The key to understanding context is doing good research. Ask the right questions, look for the right pieces of information, uncover the important players. Read or listen carefully, taking notes if you have to. Follow where your research leads even if it's unexpected. Once you've got a solid grasp on the subject (and not before), you can make a plan for going forward.