Centered Problem Solvers Keep Learning

What will you learn today to help you solve tomorrow's problems?

Learn constantly. Every single day.

-- Doug Smith

It's Up To Us

Do other people solve your problems?

I have found that when I do expect solutions to come from other people, I'm usually disappointed. Other people can help. Other people are useful collaborators. Centered problem solvers work well with other people to focus, analyze, create, energize, and solve problems. But it's still up to us.

Depending on other people to solve our problems is the worst kind of useless illusion.

Other people help. Other people care. Other people support and challenge. But we are the ones to solve our problems.

-- Doug Smith

Quick Thoughts on Centered Problem Solving, Part 2

"Nobody can force you to solve your own problems, but don't you want to?"

"Problems are best solved by drawing on the limitless resources of clarity, courage, creativity and compassion."

"We are not defined by our problems but by what we do about them."

"Character grows in the efforts to solve problems, not in the solutions."

"Telling me not to see something as a problem does not solve it."

"At some level everything is a problem. the question is how will you solve it?"

"It helps to start with a problem solving framework even if you completely change it later."

"Problems exist to bring us together, not pull us apart."

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Build Strong Agreements

Are your constituents on board? Are they on your side? Will they support the solution to your problem with all of their energy and focus and support?

Have you even agreed on what the problem is?

Have you agreed on what your goal is?

Tough problems call for strong agreements.

Even though most problems are due to process issues and not people (accord to William Deming) it is thru people that we solve those problems and achieve our goals.

And that takes agreements.

Build strong agreements at every stage and every step of your problem solving. It will not only seem more centered to you -- it will be.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Quick Thoughts on Centered Problem Solving, Part 1

Sometimes a quick thought is all you need to get moving on that problem. Sometimes pondering a quick reflection can spark another idea. And sometimes, it's just fun (and necessary) to keep things short.

Here are some brief thoughts on centered problem solving. Some have been tweeted by me, and some appear here for the first time.

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Some problems are mostly a misunderstanding. Check to see if you truly share a common understanding of the situation.

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If you see it as a problem, then it is a problem.

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It takes more than an hour to solve a truly entrenched problem.

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Solving problems will give you energy and motivation -- oh yes, and then the problem is gone.

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Sometimes problem solving is accelerated change management.

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Problems require us to advance our knowledge and expand our training.

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You may not be able to solve a problem and yet can still turn it into a positive experience.

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Learning better ways to solve problems creates a sense of satisfaction that is unique and liberating.

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Centered problem solving is about making strong, informed decisions.

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There is no one magic problem solving formula but there are many useful ones. It just depends on the problem.

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Each problem solved can be a step toward fulfilling our mission.

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When others discourage you from solving your problem it just means that they don't yet fully understand its importance.


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Every problem is a test of character.

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Every problem is a reason to improve.

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Sometimes people define you by how you solve problems.

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Your problems are not waiting for solutions -- they may be perfectly happy tormenting you. Solving your problems is up to you.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Talk Your Problem Over

Can we talk about it?

When a problem is bothering you, can you share that trouble? Do you have people who will listen without judging to your concerns? Do you know a confidante who will hold your secret fears in trust long enough to hear them out?

Problems require communication. Deep communication. Listening with curiosity. Speaking with clarity. Knowing what matters and keeping focus on the clear boundaries of a larger vision. Problems are part of the journey, why not make them part of the conversation.

The bigger the problem, the greater the need for deeper conversations.

Talk your problem over. Build the relationships you need to deal effectively and with respect to the problems at hand. That's how it works best.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Curious? Explore our workshop Centered Problem Solving.

Think Before Running from That Problem

Run away! Do you ever find yourself simply avoiding a big problem? Even though you know for sure that problem is not going away on its own, it's just too hairy and slippery to figure out right now and it doesn't seem as if the effort is worth the anxiety.

But what eventually happens to our anxiety if we do nothing about our problems? It just grows bigger.

Before I run from a problem I need to ask if that's the best solution for all concerned.

How about you?

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Are you interested in helping the people in your organization to learn how to solve more problems faster and more collaboratively? Check out our one day workshop on Centered Problem Solving.

A Promise Or A Plan?

Which would you rather have -- a promise, or a plan?

I love promises. When some people make a promise to me I know that it is as good as done. They are reliable, trustworthy, hard-working creative people who keep their promises.

I'll take a promise from them any day.

Promises can be problematic sometimes, though. Some people are not so skilled or willing to keep their promises. They may make a promise to move forward in the conversation (possibly because the conversation is deep enough to cause some discomfort) and yet have no intention of keeping that promise. That's not helpful. That's not what centered leaders are looking for. That's not how centered problem solvers operate.

Promises are great and I'm also interested in the plan. What exactly are they promising to do and when will they do it? What's the plan?

Picking a promise over a plan is a risky way to solve a problem. 

Problems respond better to the actions completed in a careful and thorough plan.

So, thanks for the promise and now I'm curious -- what's your plan?

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Identify The People Effected

Sometimes grouping problems into who they effect points the way to a faster solution.

Same customers, same problems. Same people, same situation. Isn't it likely that far enough upstream the causes are the same?

Before we start creating solutions, let's be sure to analyze a problem correctly.

-- Douglas Brent Smith

Another Problem Opportunity

What do you do when your problem is with another person?

How do you react when people stand in your way?

It's possible to see this as an opportunity to work on the relationship. It's possible to move the problem forward by deepening our compassion. By slowing down to listen and accept -- without committing to any particular solutions -- we can often arrive at those solutions much faster. We can optimize our results by optimizing our relationships.

Problems provide open opportunities to respectfully express our love.

Who would ever want to miss that?

-- Douglas Brent Smith