“Possibilitizing” – Solving Problems Creatively Tuesday, Mar 30 2010

Solving problems

Finding solutions to situations can sometimes be elusive especially when you have limited “resources”.  Limited resources could be time, access to appropriate people or inability to bring in experts to assist in the process of problem resolution.

 Today I will give an overview of a five steps process and in subsequent posts will take one or two of the steps, take a deeper dive and share a few examples.

 I call it “Possibilitizing” – the art of creating anything is possible solutions – it is developing “what is possible” scenarios to solve your challenges without boundaries.  It is limitless once you get going!

 I developed this as a brainstorming technique for many kinds of situations and more specifically to help clients generate new sales growth strategies, create leader development plans, career options, and discover new business growth opportunities.  It is highly useful in a group or on your own.  I teach the technique to my clients so they can add it to their “tool box”.

 This method has been used successfully with clients for many years. It can help get to a solution in five steps.  It is also a great process to use for expanding ideas and exploring professional options. I use a coach approach with a mind map to allow a non-linear and more productive process. By applying this method many problems can be resolved in a very short period.  You also get to identify the underlying causes, and brainstorm possibilities for prevention. 

 In the first step you work to identify the problem or situation you want to resolve. To determine this you begin by evaluating or conducting a situation analysis to look at what is still working and set that aside.  What this does is keep what is doing well out of the mix. Once you identify those things you also gain greater clarity on the true problem.

 Now you can isolate the problem, or situation, and begin to take the first action step, which is to define the actual problem.  You then create a problem statement, which becomes the core or center box in a mind map.  This helps keep the focus on the present issue and prevents digressing into other areas that won’t add value in creating the resolution. 

 The second step is to determine the desired outcome.  What do you want it to look like once this situation is handled?  Although there are many clarifying questions to really identify what you want for your outcome, this one question drives a good discussion.

 With that in mind you can go on to the next phase that I think is the most fun.  This is where the “Possibilitizing” takes place!

 The third step or the discovery phase opens up all the possibilities.  The idea in this step is to expand what is possible.  This means no boundary thinking.  “In an ideal world, this is what would make this happen.” Because you end up with so many options, the need to narrow them to three makes it easier to come to a quicker conclusion. With all the possibilities laid out, you force rank and identify the three. You explore how they can deliver the desired outcome.  This condenses and focuses the exploration. The goal will be to end up with the best new possibility. (You don’t eliminate the others; you set them aside in case you need to come back to this step in the process because it is not linear.)

 The fourth step it to create the action steps and assign the tasks that will deliver your outcome. Identify the resources needed, systems, and the people.

 The fifth step is to look at all the things that could get in the way of executing the actions.  At this point in the process you either come up with ways to make sure that none of the obstacles or potential barriers becomes a threat, or you design a system that handles those as well.  It isn’t a linear process; sometimes you have to go back to the possibility or discovery phase to brainstorm some additional solutions, yet in the end after you have cleared your barriers, you end up with an execution plan that solves the situation. 

 After you are assure the barriers are clear, you commit to the actions you created in step four, make any adjustments, verify who will do the work and begin to execute!

 If you want to know more about this process that has helped over 99 clients solve their most difficult problems, let me know.  This is the most fun I get to do! 

More to come on this…Thank you!

Kathy

“Possibilitizing”

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“Thoughts are all your own…” Wednesday, Mar 17 2010

…but words are so no more”  – Maude Eckert, Wisdom Teacher

Mrs. Eckert lived to be 100, minus one week.  I had the joy of living with her while I attended my first college. She would leave 3 x 5 index cards in a basket with my mail with bits of wisdom.  She was well advanced in her understanding of quantum physics compared to what we knew at that time.  Her messages about how you think and visualizing what you want for your life didn’t quite register at the time. She also served up practical advice like the title in this post.  These things made more sense so here is some insight on that.

Have you ever come out and said something and later wondered what you were thinking?  Or written something, sent the e-mail and realized you couldn’t get it back!

This message is about reflecting before we “say” something that could have a form of unintended consequences.  Just like thinking negatively affects outcomes, speaking before we consider who and what we are saying to someone determines results.  Both have an impact. 

There are so many mediums for “conversations” today that it becomes wise to consider how we use words.  Words have power and have a lasting impact on readers or listeners. 

A very few quick tips -

• Before you begin crafting your e-mails, your blogs or your newsletters, consider how your audience will receive what you are saying.
• What is the message you want to convey?
• Who will be reading what you write?
• Consider where you are headed on your career path and determine how this will advance your goals.
• Check spelling and incomplete words
• Consider doing a “conversation planner” to lay out what you want to say when it is a face to face “serious” discussion…like asking for a promotion or a raise!
• Speak or write in your authentic voice

“Know thyself” was written over the portal of the antique world.  Over the portal of the new world, “Be thyself” shall be written” – Oscar Wilde

What else do you consider before you blog, or write your newsletter that you can add to this? 

What tips can you offer?

Many thanks,

Kathy

 

 

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A Bit of a Query on Organizational Underperformance Wednesday, Mar 10 2010

 

A shift today to something that raises my curiosity…this post contains as many questions as it offers possible solutions with the intention to stimulate ideas for your organization.

Is Your Business Underperforming?

If businesses have the vision, the systems in place to support executing the vision, and the right people – why do they underperform?

People run businesses – they execute actions that support the goals for growth. So, why is it that so many businesses don’t reach their full potential?

Is it how they treat their employees? Is it their management style? Are they flexible? Supportive? Do they innovate frequently to stay ahead of their competition, both internally and externally? Do they listen to the ideas of their people across all levels of the organization?

How many companies use the ideas of their people and explore the possibilities? How many people who have ideas take the time to demonstrate how they think the idea will impact the company?

This brief is designed to stimulate looking at how things are getting done; who is doing them, what areas are excelling and what areas require attention.

“Great minds must be ready not only to take opportunities, but to make them.” Colton

Identify where the company is stuck. Look at the systems and structures that support the area in question. If they aren’t functioning or performing at optimum – ask the people in that area what is working for them? Ask them what they see as obstacles to their workflow or progress. Ask them what they think needs to change. Ask them what solution they would offer. Then ask them how they are with what they have to do every day. You might be surprised, grateful and appreciative of their responses.

More Questions! – Do they know how their specific job or function contributes to the growth or structure of the company? Are they contributing from their strengths? Do they have aspirations to be someone else somewhere else in the same company? Do you have programs that facilitate their growth and learning? Do they feel good about you and how they are treated? Are they willing to change if they are not part of the solution? Are you?

The majority of the solutions to the underperformance of any organization lie within the brilliance of the people who work there. External factors may play a very small role compared to the internal disturbances that go unnoticed every day. The genius of an organization that has a good structure, a grand vision and an execution plan lies with the people who perform the requirements.

Although there are a multitude of additional factors that contribute to a stalled or stuck organization, one of the first places to begin is with a deep inquiry of the people who work there. The results may be the engine that propels your success. Are you ready?

Enjoy the brain challenge of the day!

Kathy

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Happy Friday :) Friday, Mar 5 2010

Sunset Delight

As we enter the weekend I thought it might be fun to be a bit light and cheery today!  Many of you may be coming off a tough week having made great headway on your projects, goals or quotas.  Others may wonder how Friday got here before you had a chance to even get started…  Whatever your experience, at the end of today, set it all aside and think of the grand possibilities before you for this wonderous March weekend…

Amuse yourself! 

“Amusement is your inner laughter.  It’s about laughing with yourself in what ever condition you find yourself”  Michael J. Tamura

Will you hike, or fish, or camp, walk along a beach or head to the mountains to ski?  Is it a weekend filled with fun family activities, parties and celebrations?  Will you paint or write or get lost in an incredible novel? Or will you go with the energetic flow of your being and choose as your “spirit” moves you…

I like to create a list of possibilities to prevent inaction or indecision.  I have found that by doing that I have options to explore many things which suit any of the many moods I may choose to have.  I also like to get all the “chores” done on Friday so I have the rest of the weekend to focus on creativity, connection and fun.

“Always leave enough time in your life to do something that makes you happy, satisfied, even joyous. That has more of an effect on economic well-being than any other single factor.”  Paul Hawken

Whatever your weekend plans, this brief report is to remind you to step back, relax and enjoy some intimate time with the world around you.  Get to know it and the people you share it with on a different level.  Be in joy for the life you are living!  You are at choice to feel whatever you desire.  Isn’t it a grand time to be alive!

Warm Regards!

Kathy

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On The Edge of YOUR Greatness… Tuesday, Mar 2 2010

On The Edge of Greatness…

What would make it easy for you to go to the edge to reveal your greatness?

Yesterday was all about doing something every day that scares you using courage as a starting point.  What else could help you get to where you want to go?

Confidence!

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience which you must stop and look fear in the face…You must do the thing you think you cannot do.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Frequently we get to the place of making a decision that can change our life course, can deliver to us the life we want to lead, the promotion we seek, or the new career of our dreams. What stops us in our tracks is the fear of the unknown.  For just a moment our doubter shows its face and the unconscious belief rears its head and we cave.  We end up going back to what we were doing before, to the place of our comfort.  That experience seems safe.  We rationalize and watch as someone else gets the promotion. Or the next phone call from our friends, peers, or colleagues reveals exciting news of a goal met.  Has this ever happened to you?

Confidence helps you move to the edge and over.  It frees you up to focus on what you want to have happen while totally letting go.  I’m talking about unwavering self-confidence.  This means belief in you, your passion, and your next steps.  If you firmly believe in yourself, your strengths, and your capabilities then it makes it so much easier to get to the edge and leap.  Confidence means leaving behind your doubts, your fears, and insecurities. It lets you face the unknown.  Courageous actions require a confident approach.  This means you don’t have to think about the outcomes.  You know no matter the outcome you will have arrived at a new inner dimension of your greatness.  This action gives you fuel to “risk” again and again.

 What if you find yourself at one of these threshold places where you know if you crossed over it would make all the difference in your life?  How do you tap into your inner confidence to boldly take this step? 

 What are some of the confidence builders?

• Read everything everyone ever wrote about you, your performance, and your strengths.
• Write out all your life long accomplishments including personal, recreational, hobbies, travel and education.
• Call a trusted advisor and ask them to mirror your strengths.
• Ask yourself what this experience can bring you.
• Think about your life at age 100 and ask yourself if taking this action made a difference.
• Write out why you want to do this and then write out the why to the why five levels deep.
• Write out a vision of what your life will look like by having taken this action. Then stand in that end place, feel what it is like, and take action.

I guarantee by the time you do one or two of the things listed above you will discover more confidence than you knew you possessed.  Get off the edge, out of the bleachers and into the game of your life. 

Have an awesome day!

Kathy

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“Do one thing every day that scares you” – Eleanor Roosevelt Monday, Mar 1 2010

“Do one thing every day that scares you” – Eleanor Roosevelt

 Have you ever wondered what would happen if you decided to take a step into thin air?  Does the idea scare you? Do you believe a stepping stone will appear?

Courage to go after what you want frequently requires such action.  Whether you decide to take a leap or a stride, the idea is to consider what might make you want to do anything.  What burning desire within remains unfulfilled?  Ready to move on it?

 You don’t have to do this journey alone.  Join me! 

I have set a few targets I want to reach that require I take leaps that raise my heart rate and make the hairs on my arms stand on end.  They are small steps that feel like a leap to me.  I plan to do other things that don’t increase adrenaline – they are the things that will open my mind to think in a new way, to look at things from a different perspective.  By doing both the hair raising things and the low adrenaline items I expect to expand my brain and alter some of my neural pathways.  I intend to experience unexpected delights, personal and professional growth!

For example, today when I did my morning walk I reversed my route. I was surprised at what I saw.  I even walked on the other side of the street and encountered different people engaging in their morning routines.  I noticed how the quality and direction of the sunlight changed the landscape. I thought less and observed more.  And it was fun!

 “Man’s mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions” – Oliver Wendell Holmes

I took a leap last week and walked into a place I hadn’t been before and made a declaration about myself and my business that surprised me, yet it was true.  What followed was a series of steps to get me in front of a “decision maker” and all the way to their office without an appointment. I did get to put my head in the door and smile. It was a good beginning.  I later learned that the first gate keeper usually barricades all entry and I made it through three.  Something changed when I made my additional declaration. I empowered myself.

 What’s a leap for you? 

 Whether you want a new job, have a dream to start your own business, desire a promotion, have an innovative idea to change things in your organization, or want to start all over again doing something that fuels your passions; it all begins with one step.  Think about one action you can take now and go for it.  (Dare to expand your “limits”!)

 A not so hair raising thing to try –

A fun exercise is to pretend you are an alien on this planet and walk through the world you inhabit, notice the things you habitually do and challenge yourself to think about them differently.  Ask yourself why do this?  Why do I do it this way?  Do I like this?  How does it make me feel?  Move your furniture around; change the orientation of your desk (if you can), dress differently.  Park in a new spot; talk to someone new; ask a different morning question; give a new greeting.  Smile a lot!

March is the beginning of the end of the first quarter and this message is about how to keep the flow in your 2010 intentions.  It’s an idea that can deliver extraordinary results if you are willing to risk shaking up your world a bit to get what you want. Step out into the air and watch the earth beneath you carry you on your way.

 …”Strong convictions precede great actions.” – J. F. Clarke

 Happy March 1^st!

Kathy

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