Solve Problems Without Force

What happens when you solve a problem by force?

It can be any kind of force that pushes people beyond their will to do something they do not want to do. It can be effectively on a short term basis, but eventually leads to side effects that are more intractable and resilient than the problem that was solved.

This includes military action, cuts to staff, reduction in wages, reduction in scheduled work hours (resulting in cuts in pay), punishing people for doing what was standard operating procedure a day ago, and on and on.

Think about a time when you were forced to make a change and had no say in it. I'm not talking about gentle changes to a process or doing things differently despite our stubborn impulses to stay in the same path. Sometimes (often) we DO need to change beyond our will. But there are ways to get people to change their will without forcing them to.

Forcing anyone to do anything creates side effects.

Solving problems by force creates new problems that are persistent and lasting aggravations.

That's not what you probably want, is it?

What's the answer?

- Involve the people who are effected by change
- Do no harm
- Stay true to your values
- Focus on what you really want
- Analyze the problem carefully
- Create great solutions
- Engage the people around you who are effected by the problem
- Empower people to help you
- Solve your problem without force

What can you do today to involve more people in a change that you are considering?

-- Doug Smith

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