In lunch meetings, coaching sessions and workshops, I hear phrases like:
- I don’t have enough information to do my job.
- They won’t ____ (fill in the blank).
- They are making me feel _____ (fill in the blank).
- There’s nothing I can do about _____ (fill in the blank).
- I’ve tried and tried and nothing works.
- I have no control.
Okay – I’ll admit it. I’ve heard the same phrases in conversations with myself.
We have no power. We might as well give up or give in.
Please don’t give up OR give in!
Post this week’s quote as a reminder that we all have power.
We might just need a little help finding it and using it.
Tools for both below.
Thought/Discussion Questions
- What is your goal, desired outcome or definition of success?
- What do you need to do to achieve it?
- What is standing in the way?
- What can you not change?
- What might you do to get over or around this block?
- What if you look at it from a different angle?
- Who could help you?
Print the PDF version using this link.
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The most crucial element in managing a solution is to first clearly define what needs to be resolved Many people often refer to the problem as ‘they’ or ‘it’. This makes it difficult to create a workable dialogue that is more than emotional response.
Hi Karen –
Yes – agreed.
Defining the problem or situation first is critical.
As for “they or it” – are you referring to ownership of the problem or situation?
Jan
both–Both ownership and/or the problem can be ill defined. Blaming ‘they’ keeps the conversation moving alright, but never toward a solution. ‘They’ separates rather than brings together. ‘It” is like ‘cousin It’ in the Adams Family–describable maybe, yet undefinable–(sorry if you’ve never heard of the Adams Family-)
Yes – just loved IT. Thanks for the reminder. And for the clarification about ‘they’ and ‘it’. Both do have a way of separating rather than bringing together. Love the way you put that.