Option Solving Blog

Our most recent Option Solving example involved the creation of an online people-motivation survey, which included gleaning participants’ comments relative to their box-check answers. As thoughts advanced, separating checked-boxes from written comments would be important. Also important was survey security to prevent users from contravening copyright requirements.

The original question was now extended to focus on original Option C through use of Peeling the Onion (PO). This extended question came through as follows: “Peeling the Onion: What is the likely best option for requesting-gleaning participants’ comments from an online survey; Option C – Give examples of each type; Then ask participants for 2-3 more of each, plus survey security features –   considering 1) comments should be anonymous, 2) they will either be positive or enhancement  ones, 3) they are added at end of survey, and 4) they will be a range of opinions rather than given facts” Again, it’s appropriate to focus on just these four considerations to reduce complexity in their eventual conclusion, when that ultimate moment arrives – despite there being many other possible considerations out there.

Once more your author decided to create yin and yang “bookends” posed by this question, to keep his programmer’s mind 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.   

These turned out to be: “Allow a free-flow format” – Tough to distill into comprehensive thoughts;and “Use a structured check-the-box format” – Not get real flavor of participant thinking. You will note the italicized detractors associated with these least likely options, which shows why they are not particularly good ideas for consideration. Even so, these bookends will now hopefully nudge your editor/programmer’s intuitive thinking into high gear to come-up with a range of realistic options – see ourLatest Worked Option Example.

He then set-out to produce at least five plus realistic sub-options – AA thru FF – that would enable him or his programmer to pursue Emotional Distancing (ED). EDwould allow him or his programmer to take a couple of hours or more for quiet reflection, or even sleep on it, beforecoming to any final conclusion. You can replace these proposed five-six options with any new ones of your own. (Note: ‘FF” was left as “other,” as an opportunity for his programmer to suggest his own ideas, thereby enhancing his involvement and commitment toward the exercise.)

Their final sub-options look quite interesting. In the circumstances, they focused on 5-6 steps AA-FF required to make Option C workable. From there they then decided which of these five sub-option-steps were the most crucial for success, which in their view was Option CC: Participant then confirms thru check-out-box: survey answers complete, then hidden from view. Once this occurs, it will prompt participants to proceed with their comments section, which will also then be hidden from view once participant has completed his/her answers – coupled with a Thank You note to encourage participants to check-out from the survey site.

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. Next time we will focus on “Optimum option for sustaining book co-authors’ commitment to book completion despite summer vacations.” Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Our next posting will be in two week’s time)Consider buying the book: “Smart Decisions: Goodbye Problems, Hello Options” through amazon.com)

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A topic that comes up on a regular basis and even more so in our highly efficiency oriented workplace environments is how executives/strategists cope with role stresses and burnout. Notwithstanding our current obsession with efficiency – our euphemism for squeezing on time and resources, finding short-cuts, minimizing elegance, and producing immediate profitability – to compensate for our overall economy’s insufficient effectiveness, we constantly strive to do more with less. Burnout is also due to our own skill and resource limitations to cope with these efficiency pressures.

So your author set about finding an optimal solution to burnout by asking the following question: “What is an executive/strategist’s optimum option for coping with their role demands to avoid burnout; considering 1) their own strengths-limitations, 2) operating in high efficiency oriented workplaces, 3) being surrounded by competent, collaborative colleagues, and 4) potentially operating in conducive market-external environments?” Again, it’s appropriate to focus on just these four considerations to reduce complexity in their eventual conclusion, when that ultimate moment arrives – despite there being many other possible considerations out there.

Your author decided to create yin and yang “bookends” posed by this question, to keep his mind 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.   

These turned out to be: “Go along for the ride; let the chips fall where they may” – Lack of focus and sense of direction can create anxiety;and “Establish highly structured, command-and-control environs” – Can induce significant extra stresses and strains. You will note the italicized detractors associated with these least likely options, which shows why they are not particularly good ideas for consideration. Even so, these bookends will now hopefully nudge your editor’s intuitive thinking into high gear to come-up with a range of realistic options – see ourLatest Worked Option Example.

He then set-out to produce at least five plus realistic options – A thru F – that would enable him to pursue Emotional Distancing (ED). EDwould allow him or a client to take a couple of hours or more of quiet reflection, or even sleep on it, beforecoming to any final conclusion. You can replace these proposed five options with any new ones of your own.

His final options look quite interesting and both he and his clients would be particularly intrigued by – Option B: Surround w/strong, talented & motivated teams (not the cheapest) as a starter and closely followed by A.Your editor should stand-by any initial, intuitive decision, as it would likely only work against him to second-guess himself once that initial decision is made…no matter the challenges ahead.

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 What is a perfectionist leader’s optimum option for minimizing their adverse impact on team members? Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Our next posting will be in two week’s time. Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com. Allow time to connect with the blogger. Also consider buying the book: “Smart Decisions: Goodbye Problems, Hello Options” through amazon.com)

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While the US would like to reduce its involvement in the Mid-East, many would like to see it take more direct action against Iran; although that is offset by Iran using proxy states to inflict damage and casualties on American forces in the region. These provocative activities are now in the hundreds testing the US’s patience to its limits. The US is being pushed to retaliate from all sides, especially after three Americans died due to recent proxy action.

It is appropriate for this author to ask the question: “What is the USA’s optimum option to warding off Iran in the Middle East; considering 1) Iran relies on proxies to shield it from direct US action, 2) Iran continues its efforts to build nuclear weapons, 3) Iran provokes hate toward the US, and 4) Iran is reliant on exporting oil for economic stability?” Again, it’s appropriate to focus on just these four considerations to reduce complexity in your editor’s eventual suggestion, when that ultimate moment arrives – despite there being many other possible considerations out there.

He decided to create yin and yang “bookends” posed by this question, to keep his mind 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.   

These came to be: “Establish a new trade treaty with Iran” – Unlikely. Too much bad blood to help;and “Cut a conducive deal with China to supply it with oil instead” – China likes to work with Iran to irk  the US. You will note the italicized detractors associated with these least likely options, which shows why they are not particularly good ideas for consideration. Even so, these bookends will now hopefully nudge this editor’s intuitive thinking into high gear to come-up with a range of realistic options – see ourLatest Worked Option Example.

He then aimed to produce at least five plus realistic sub-options – A thru E or F – that would enable US leaders to pursue Emotional Distancing (ED). EDwould allow them to take a couple of hours or more of quiet reflection, or even sleep on it, beforecoming to any final conclusion. You can replace these proposed five options with any new ones of your own.

His final options look quite interesting and he was particularly intrigued by – Option B: Pressure proxies to stay out of   situation – embargos, choke financials, no trade, military action, etc. The US leaders should stand-by any initial decision, as it would likely only work against them to second-guess themselves once that initial decision is made…no matter the challenges ahead.

If you have an example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area or contact him at peter@ileadershipsolutions. What is the optimum option for Western nations to pursue against Russia to protest Navalny’s unfortunate death? Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Our next posting will be in two week’s time.Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com. Allow time to connect with the blogger. Also consider buying the book: “Smart Decisions: Goodbye Problems, Hello Options” through amazon.com)

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