#293 Freedom to explore

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A problem is easier to solve if you have some idea of how you will solve it. What if you have no idea how to solve a problem? What if your problem is that you don’t know what the problem is?

Problem definition is easier if you can describe reality without embellishment and without fear. If you are afraid for any reason when defining the problem, you will do a poor job of describing it. Defining a problem accurately does not commit you to solving it, nor does it mean you are to blame.

Accepting the above will lift a lot of weight off your shoulders. After you have stated the problem, accurately and clearly, without fear, you now have to solve it.

If you do not know how to solve it, well, treat that like a problem, rinse and repeat. You may choose not to ask questions that are hard to answer because you may be afraid that you will be called upon to answer the question. If you have the tools or capabilities to solve a problem, you may ask more questions, because now you are ready to answer the questions.

This is a problem, because you are concerned about looking good, concerned about loss of face, and not focused on uncovering a creative solution. Setting the right expectation will remove the remaining weight from your shoulders. You need to set about solving the problem to the best of your abilities, and not worry about success or failure or its consequences. Be aware of the anxiety of your co-workers, but it is not necessary to succumb to them.

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#292 Winds of change

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A light breeze is welcome on a hot day. A wind can raise concern at low speed and be positively disruptive and high speeds. The natural tendency is to expose oneself to a light breeze but protect against high speed winds.

In the workplace, abrupt change can be disruptive. It is like an unexpected storm that arrives without warning. There is no shortage of literature on change management, but somehow those in leadership situations don’t seem to remember the lessons or know how to apply it. He or she causes more pain than necessary in the effort to drive change. But you are a leader as well, what will you do?

One option is to hunker down, wait till the storm subsides. This is not a bad strategy, but it may paint you as defensive and conservative. A second option is to voice your displeasure at how the change is being handled. With tensions running high, and nerves on edge, your tirade is not going to win you a lot of friends.

The key to getting thru winds of change at work is be on top of your role and responsibilities. It is not necessary to strive for perfection, but be prepared to explain what the issues are and how you plan to address them. There will be a lot of things outside your control, the dependencies can cause you frustration, but the key is not to look helpless or try to look perfect.

At the end of the day you can do only so much and strategically, for now, you might be in a losing position. Emphasis on for now. It is all impermanent, and you have to prepare and be ready for when the tide turns.

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