Option Solving Blog

Faced with an initial meeting that could be delicate as well as full of possibilities, is something worth thinking about. Option Solving is a great way to prepare for such a meeting in the realization that, ‘You only get one shot at it.’ No second chances: it’s now or never.

So, perhaps, a good starting point is posing the question, “What is the best outcome to aim for in my meeting with Jack B, considering…” Now we have moved forward with the option solving technique, which requires you to form the right question at the outset. As we see above, it starts with the key point, but then goes on to flush out the considerations, such as: “…that he probably sees me as a competitor, he feels he is already covering areas I offer, he feels confident in his own shoes, and he has already filled his product schedule?

Now you have started your intuitive powers going, as they want to answer this thought provoking question. But those powers can answer your question even more by giving them an even better framework formed by two ‘bookends’, the Ying and the Yang of all the possibilities; and, by their very nature, the most extreme of all the possibilities. In my case, it worked out to be: “Allow him to continue keeping his distance,” or at the other end, “Develop a close working partnership.”

With these, your intuitive mind can now start creatively racing away to flush out all the other possibilities, such as: “Consider talking to his team about some alternative products”… see Latest Example for three out of the seven I cooked up. I naturally won’t share my outcome choice because you are not standing in my shoes and cannot possibly feel my full circumstances. Therefore, you would be likely to draw a different conclusion. However, you should now be prepared to follow the same approach to get the most out of your next important meeting: buying the book would be helpful, too. 

Please refer to the Latest Example to view the overall picture of a potential solution. If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area. 

Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Using Option Solving to decide on ‘Best option to deal with a company hornet’s nest?’”  You’re your COMMENTS or go to peter @ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

Filed under: Decision Dilemmas, Personal Decision Making |