Option Solving Blog

Faced with a crucial phone conversation with the Executive Director of a well known public association, a friend of this editor was inviting input on her optimum option in light of an imminent phone call. It was natural to encourage her to use Option Solving to clarify her best approach to the situation.

Her best question attempt turned out to be: “What is our optimum option for building a positive relationship  with XYZ  organization; considering 1) first time contact by phone, 2) may be a lack of trust from communications so far, 3) sensitive cultural challenges right now, and 4) could be a very helpful relationship if done right?” She was encouraged to stick with only four considerations to reduce the complexity of any eventual decision, when the moment arrives: despite there being other possibilities out there.

She was then encouraged to develop two appropriate yin and yang “bookends”,as these would help keep any panel’s intuitive minds focused. Bookends such as these are vital for preventing our fertile intuitive minds from wandering and losing concentration. We are mostly unaware of how powerfully valuable but foot-loose our intuition can be unless we can keep it properly focused on such occasions.   

The two bookends that came to mind were: “Be quite direct in response” –could torpedo relationship;and “Lay out principles for a working relationship” – could backfire relative to sensitivities. You will note the italicized detractors associated with these least likely options, which help to shut such options out of consideration. Even so, these bookends will now nudge her intuitive thinking into high gear – see ourLatest Worked Example.

It would then be vital for her to come up with at least five realistic options, although she may ultimately come up with six within a decent amount of time. She could  then pursue emotional distancing, which is a form of objective thinking, before making her choice sometime after that …perhaps after 2 hours, later in that day, or first thing the following morning. You can replace her proposed options with any of your own. While they all resonated to some extent, she was initially drawn to: Option F: Suggestions to make our corporate membership as constructive as possible: might show the most immediate promise for building a positive relationship. Then consideration should be given to picking off any of the other possibilities.  

If she decides to stick with that initial thought, after some due emotional distancing; she can then put together an action initiative to help build the relationship onward. Pursuit of Peeling the Onion will then be the next natural step – see below.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area or contact him at peter@ileadershipsolutions.com .  Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Our next posting will be in two week’s time: “Peeling the Onion: What is our optimum option for building a positive relationship with XYZ organization?” 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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In a post-national 2020 election scenario, there is tremendous national uneasiness within the US about the way forward. Given the right circumstances, it would be useful to gather an appropriate bi-partisan panel together to consider the country’s options for rebuilding national unity. Your editor decided to have a stab at what those potential options might be. This meant starting out with a helpful question.

A likely question turned out to be: “What should be the optimal priority for rebuilding US national unity; considering 1) current deep societal divisions, 2) lack of faith in democratic institutions, 3) country wealth and culture in decline, and 4) tap into desire for constructive and insightful change?” It was proposed to stick with only four considerations to reduce the complexity of any panel’s eventual decision-making when the moment arrives: despite there being other possibilities out there.

Your editor needed to develop two appropriate yin and yang “bookends”,as these would help keep any panel’s intuitive minds focused. Bookends such as these are vital for preventing our fertile intuitive minds from wandering and losing concentration. We are mostly unaware of how powerfully valuable but foot-loose our intuition can be unless we can keep it properly focused on such occasions.   

The two bookends that came to mind were: “Let current divide continue as is” –potential civil strife;and “Divide US into proportional domains: A-A, Asian, Caucasian, Indigenous, Latino” – too much societal upheaval. You will note the italicized detractors associated with these least likely options, which help to shut such options out of consideration. Even so, these bookends will now nudge a panel’s intuitive thinking into high gear – see ourLatest Worked Example.

It would then be vital for this panel to come up with at least five realistic options, although it may ultimately come up with six within a decent amount of time. It could  then pursue emotional distancing, which is a form of objective thinking, before making his choice sometime after that …perhaps after 2 hours, later in that day, or first thing the following morning. You can replace this editor’s proposed options with any of your own. While all of these should be considered in some form or another going forward, this editor felt that: Option A: Bi-partisan election integrity commi-ssion: for both Federal and State: might show the most immediate promise in terms of reducing tensions. Then consideration should be given to picking off the other possibilities  

If the panel were to agree, they would then immediately set about formulating and setting out a timetable for this commission to be put together. Fresh groups of bi-partisan representatives would be put together to consider prioritizing and producing optimal approaches for the other suggested unity initiatives.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area or contact him at peter@ileadershipsolutions.com .  Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Our next posting will be in two week’s time: “What is my optimum option for building a positive relationship with a crucial contact?” 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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