Complicated

You could think of it as the ostrich effect - putting your head in the sand to avoid a danger. You can't see it anymore, you don't notice the discomfort, but it's still there and you're still exposed.

Overlooking the complexity of a problem does not simplify it -- or solve it. 

As uncomfortable as it may be, we need to face our problems with courage, deal with them using our creativity, focus on our goals with clarity, and show compassion for anyone effected by our course of action.

When problems are complicated we need not hide. It's better to rise.

-- doug smith 

Emotional Options

What's the strongest emotion for you? 

What's the one emotion that more often than not seems to run you instead of you running the emotion?

If the answer is "none" then good for you, and maybe share how you got there because it sure is hard for most of us. Emotions once activated send all the right chemicals thru our bodies to keep us in that elevated emotional state. When we need that flush of energy it's worth experiencing the rush. When we don't, it gets in the way.

We can choose.

We have the ability to take emotions out of problem solving if we are willing to. 

Are you willing to?

-- doug smith 

Bad Solutions?

You do not need to accept a solution that is forced on you. You might well be better off with the problem still in place.

Speed is great, until it isn't.

-- doug smith

 

Hard Work

Collaborative problem solving makes conflict resolution just and fair.

Resolving conflict and solving problems are not the same thing, but they do share much in common and can unify efforts toward better solutions.

Work together. Talk about it. Share concerns. Consider (always) the needs of others.

It's not magic, it's hard work.

-- doug smith