PROBLEMS.

Problems! Who has problems?

You?

Me?

Of course...we all do!

"The secret to problems is not the problem but how we choose to view the problem" (Beverly Peterson, 2021). You can quote me on that one.

Here's another quote "Inside of every problem lies an opportunity" (Robert Kiyosaki).

I was recently inspired by one of my team members when we were doing the an icebreaker during a staff development meeting. We do these meetings weekly as a collaboration between our major gifts and planned gifts teams. It's virtual team building at best.

We decided to have an organic meeting of the minds where every week a different person opens in prayer (yes, I work for a religious non-profit), facilitates the ice breaker, presents on a topic, and closes in prayer. We have a rolling agenda so that if discussion pursues and we don't end in an hour it can roll into the next week's meeting.

A few weeks ago it was my turn for the icebreaker question, so I asked, "What are you passionate about?"

I asked this question to find out what motivates the individuals on my two highly significant fundraising teams. While many of them mentioned working for a Christian organization or working with donors, one team member brought into view of his camera a Rubik's Cube. He said I'm passionate about learning new things. He proceeded to tell us that he bought this cube to learn how to master it. It took him a few tries, but he did.

At that moment, I thought what a wonderful unique answer and perspective. It inspired this post!

Problem solving can be complicated, frustrating, and disconcerting bringing on harsh discussions, heated emotions, sleepless nights, and restless days. Have you experienced those moments? What do you do?

I speak from experience when something bothers me that I can't seem to solve right away. While being a woman of prayer, I'm also human, so my daytime thoughts become my nighttime dreams. Believe me they are not pleasant dreams, but very restless, sleepless nights.

The good news is there are better ways to solve problems and sleep better in the process.

According to Forbes, there are 4 effective ways that leaders can solve problems:

1. Transparent Communication

Problem solving requires transparent communication where everyone’s concerns and points of view are freely expressed. I’ve seen one too many times how difficult it is to get to the root of the matter in a timely manner when people do not speak-up.

2. Break Down Silos

Transparent communication requires you to break down silos and enable a boundary-less organization whose culture is focused on the betterment of a healthier whole. Unnecessary silos invite hidden agendas rather than welcome efficient cross-functional collaboration and problem solving.

3. Open-minded People

Breaking down silos and communication barriers requires people to be open-minded. In the end, problem solving is about people working together to make the organization and the people it serves better. Therefore, if you are stuck working with people that are closed-minded, effective problem solving becomes a long and winding road of misery.

4. A Solid Foundational Strategy

Without strategy, change is merely substitution, not evolution. A solid strategy must be implemented in order to solve any problem. Many leaders attempt to dissect a problem rather than identify the strategy for change that lies within the problem itself.

(For full article, visit https://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2013/11/04/the-4-most-effective-ways-leaders-solve-problems/?sh=2649b9b74f97)

I encourage you to read the full article from Forbes as it provides insights we may have not thought of in leadership development. Problem solving is a critical leadership skill that provides opportunity for engagement, team building, and conflict resolution.

It can also help you with mastering a highly effective tool like the Rubik's Cube.

What She Said ~ Beverly

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#rubikscube

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