Problems Are Often Conflicts of Interest

Problems come in many forms but often they represent conflicts of interest. People can disagree on what they want and clutch onto what they have in ways that create shortages and unnecessary competition over resources, people, and ideals.

When there is competition over resources it can slow a team down. What's a leader to do?

Start the conversation. Create the dialogue. Centered leaders uncover what's hidden to probe more deeply into the causes of a situation. Maybe it really is a problem -- or maybe it is a misunderstanding or misperception. Misunderstandings can often be negotiated out of. Misperceptions can be clarified.

Problems are often conflicts of interest. Solving the problem requires sorting out and dealing with each conflict and each interest.

What conflict of interest are you currently experiencing? Who can you talk to about it?

What interests might you share? How could that lead to a solution?

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Learn more in the workshop: Solving Problems

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