Option Solving Blog

As this blog goes online, our President-Elect Trump has still not chosen his future Secretary of State; so maybe the use of Option Solving can help him. He has interviewed all the six prime candidates and therefore has a feel for each one. He has plenty of rational and media advice from those around him, consequently has a lot to contemplate and this is where his intuition can be exceedingly helpful.

We would advise him to use a question as follows: “What is President-Elect Trump’s optimal choice as Secretary of State; considering 1) needs someone highly conversant with international affairs, 2) someone who would will bring a lot of credibility with other world leaders, 3) someone who can handle punishing international travel, and 4) should be someone with strong credibility at home?” He will no doubt have other consideration possibilities, too, but by keeping to these top four choices it will not overly complicate his dilemma question.

Now his question is ready, we will encourage him to produce two yin and yang “bookends” for focusing his intuitive mind to determine his most viable option. Our suggested bookends will be as follows: “Stay with current incumbent – John Kerry” and “Pick Presidents Obama or Bill Clinton.” These unlikely option framers are designed to focus our fickle but brilliant intuitive minds on figuring out our most likely and realistic options – see our Latest Worked Example.

Then we would challenge him to formulate at least five realistic options for ultimate consideration. Option solving practice has found that when you produce a minimum five options, it stimulates the broadest, genuine thinking.  When you look at our Latest Example, you will see that we have produced his six named alternatives – one is: “Option C: Current Chair of Senate Foreign Relations – Bob Corker.” By showing him this “pictogram,” since he’s already devoted a lot of time to emotional distancing, he should be in a good position to make the right intuitive choice. Emotional distancing is the time that he has been pondering his choices and the pictogram will focus his intuition to make an optimum choice.

Once his choice is made, he should immediately set the decision in motion while everything is still top-of-his-mind. Which option would you have chosen, if you were in his shoes?

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.  Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting will be in two weeks time: “What is Board Member’s best option for interacting with the Executive Director at their next meeting?” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger. Also consider buying the book: “Smart Decisions: Goodbye Problems, Hello Options” through amazon.com)

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