Overcome the Barriers to Problem Solving

My job is to help as many people as possible, solve as many problems a possible, as quickly as possible.

That should keep me busy for the rest of my life, don't you think.

But you can play, too. You can join in at helping to solve problems. Why not start with your own?

Or start with someone else's so that you can gain the confidence and skill you need to solve just about any any problem?

Why do you think that people have problems?

What do you think prevents people from solving problems?

Maybe it's because of one of these three things:

1. They don't know.

They don't know that it IS a problem so the situation continues. This applies to many personal and relationship problems but it could apply to just about any problem.

They don't know how to solve it. Surely we would solve any problem if we simply KNEW how to solve it wouldn't we? Usually, unless:

2. They don't care.

No one is likely to solve a problem that they don't care about. Why would some one not care about a problem? Probably because:

a. They've fully adapted -- in which case the "problem" is now part of who they are. It may not be the best that they can be, but they've gotten used to it. The problem situation will then stay around until they DO care about changing it.

b.It's what they really, maybe even secretly want. They might make noises about someday changing the situation, but something about the situation gives them exactly what they are looking for (right or wrong) and so it isn't going to change until THEY do.

Number two isn't a judgement, but it IS a reason.

3. They don't have what they think they need to solve the problem.

Maybe it's resources like time, money,or the right set of people.

Maybe it's discipline, a method for solving the problem, or a process to solve the problem.

Maybe it's a character trait or skill like courage, clarity, creativity or compassion.

Think about any problems that you're experiencing right now. Could it be one of these three things keeping you from solving it?

Think about any problem in the world right now -- could it be one or more of these three things (don't know, don't care, don't have) preventing us from solving it?

I help people identify what's keeping their problems around, to figure out what to do about it, and then to do it: solve problems.

The good news is there's plenty to keep us all busy. Together we can overcome the barriers to problem solving.

If you want to explore these ideas more, and maybe get busy solving some problems of your own, I welcome you to contact me at:

doug@frontrangeleadership.com

Start the conversation, and see where it goes...there's nothing to lose but our problems.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Comments

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It would be nice to win the game. But, do you ever feel like you're in a game that keeps shifting the rules and making it easy to make progress but impossible to win? You've probably noticed lots of game elements creeping into service. Points, incentives, expiring coupons followed by new expiring coupons, leader-boards...on an on a relentless attack on service comes from playing a game designed -- you guessed it -- to maximize profit. If the customer is happy, fine, but the point is to make money. Not to put too fine a point on it but that's a lousy point. What if there could be something better? What if customer service excellence became playing a game where the customer always wins and that makes you happy? You don't have to. "give away the store" to achieve a winning game for all of the players. Just stop stacking the rules against customers and watch how much more they will want to do business with you. -- doug smith

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Tell the Truth

There's no such thing as a little white lie when you're a leader. I'm not talking about being blunt if someone asks "does this dress make my butt look big?" because we all pretty much know how that goes. What I'm talking about is telling your team members the truth in connection with your mission, your values, your goals. When it comes to what keeps a person on the team and what gets them an invitation to find a new direction. F ar more opportunities are lost by hiding the truth then from telling it. Your competition is searching for the truth. Your team is searching for the truth. Your inner self really wants to know and share the truth, doesn't it? It always comes out anyway. Why not get to the truth faster? -- Douglas Brent Smith

Expect the Best

People sometimes disappoint. Whether it is intentional, accidental, or something in between, it happens. People also intend to do their best. Our expectations influence our team members one way or another -- positive intentions and expectations are a better match than negative expectations and whatever happens next. Expect the best from people and let them know: nothing less will do. -- doug smith

The Passion in Anger

Sometimes I get angry at the silliest things. I once got angry at a boss who said I had an anger problem. I traveled the road from denial to defensiveness to objection. It's easy to get lost on that road. People get angry for a lot of reasons, and I've managed to feel most of them. It doesn't make me an angry person (I hope) but it does mean I'm a person who gets angry. Who doesn't? Some people handle their anger better than others. That's admirable. Good for them. It can be done with therapy, will power, training, prayer, meditation or medication. We do have to handle our anger. Getting angry is acceptable, but acting negatively based on that anger is not. High performance leaders see anger as unfulfilled passion and find ways to convert it to productive use. Whether it's our own anger or someone else's, there is so much energy there! Why not channel it? Why not direct it? Why not use it for meaningful, noble, productive change? I had another...

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