Option Solving Blog

Just over two weeks ago, I found myself with a small group of salespeople who were sharing business development experiences. One person in particular shared how he seemed to be shut out from an important prospect after an initial meeting which obviously went wrong. He was seeking advice on how he might change the situation, especially as he was at a recent reception where he met certain people from organization X who were wondering why there wasn’t a working relationship with him. This salesperson knew the company principal , but he was not in favor with the buyer S.

I took it upon myself to introduce this group to the concept of Option Solving for resolving difficult situations. After sharing the necessary steps, I encouraged them to come up with a question that would challenge their intuitive minds to develop some alternative solutions. Their question started out with:  What is the best immediate option to get a second chance with S: considering…?

They came up with a list of ten considerations, but decide to focus on 50% of these (or 5), which included: “The failed first attempt, non-response since (despite extra efforts), S’s boss had reintroduced A (the salesperson), the people at X lamented the lack of A’s involvement, and the need to do better next time around.” You will find the full question in the blog’s Latest Example.

With this question in place, they set about arriving at two “bookends”. These were to be two extreme, “yin and yang” options that would provoke their intuitive mind’s to push them away in preference for more plausible options. They would also set boundaries on the range of alternative possibilities. Following some lively deliberations, they produced two: “Sit and wait for S to call (she may never do so),” and “Do something bizarre to catch her attention (this may invoke more difficulties).” Note how each bookend was qualified as to why it wasn’t a viable option.

 Since the group couldn’t work with these extreme options, they rapidly started exchanging alternatives.  Ultimately they created 5, two of which were: “Wait for 2 weeks and nudge her boss again,” and “Send something special to S in the mail” You will find their three other thoughtful options in our Latest Example.

Now we adopted some “emotional distancing” for the next 10-15 minutes, where we talked about other sales challenges. We covered up their option picture in the meantime, so that the group’s “innate common sense” or intuitions would work their incredible magic, in an instant, once they returned to it. During this emotional distancing, their minds would subconsciously chew over all their similar experiences and ideas.

At the 15 minute mark, the option picture was uncovered and participants were requested to confidentially write down the alphabet letter that corresponded to their choice.  It only took a few moments for them to hand over their “ballot” choices. Once the tally was in, a primary choice emerged: even though there were other suggestions. ‘A’ decided to pursue this suggestion, since it was the “wisdom of the crowd.” We can tell you it was the right choice: you can take your own guess.

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: ‘What can we do to woo someone our way?’  Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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Recently I was drawn into a discussion about a learning disabled person having access to the Internet for his new iPad. Since the person concerned was resident in a group home for other learning disabled people and the vagaries of the internet are tough to control, the subject was creating quite a dilemma for the house manager and parents of the resident involved. As a way of being helpful, I introduced them to option solving.
Together we started to develop the best question, which began with: “What is our best alternative for allowing a learning disabled person access to the Internet with his new iPad, considering…” We then waded into developing some appropriate considerations – both constraints and opportunities – that included: “Access to inappropriate sites, possibility of uncontrolled purchases, allowing him to enjoy his new toy, and giving him the pursuit of Internet happiness.” My Latest Example shows the full question.
Now I introduced the group to the idea of “bookends”: those two extreme, “yin and yang” options that would frame their overall option picture, as well as really engage their intuitive minds to spring into high gear. Our intuition doesn’t like non-realistic options, so naturally sets about searching for the most plausible ones. With a degree of thought and discussion, two emerged: “Unlimited access, with the very real concerns of impacting his mental health,” and “No access and denying him the pleasure to explore.” Neither was appropriate even though they were clearly options.
With these in place, we began to produce five potential options, which can be viewed in our Latest Example. Their most interesting choice was their fifth one: “Buy back his iPad and replace it with a new laptop which would have far more possibilities for Internet controls.” It’s amazing how option solving flushes out less obvious choices owing to its requirement for coming up with at least 5 options, and brings “buy-in” to disparate interests. You can find their other four options in the Latest Example.
It didn’t take long to persuade them to sleep on this decision picture to allow for some “emotional distancing.” I encouraged them to review it prior to falling asleep, which would allow their intuitive minds to dwell on it overnight, make the trade-offs, and search their experience base for the best option while sound asleep. I encouraged them to share their choices the following morning and then map out their “next steps” while the exercise was still much on their minds.
Their choice is not important because it would be unfair for you to second-guess them, since you were not in their precise situation. Their “peace of mind” was solid when I spoke with them a couple of days later because they had looked at all reasonable options and were happy with their choice. No second-guessing was required.
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 ‘What is our best option for still holding a workshop with time running out?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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Yes, I often find myself with personal dilemmas and I use Option Solving frequently because it enables me to make much more savvy decisions, especially when there’s not an easy answer. This application was prior to a recent trip, where I was facing three different flights on a fairly lengthy round trip. I knew because of the forthcoming events and the time spent away from home my bag would be on the heftierside. Being a tall person means I’m penalized when it comes to clothes and weight.

I immediately buckled down to developing the right question, which started with: “What is my best option for minimizing air baggage fees, considering…” This was closely followed by inserting appropriate considerations that included: “Slower travel alternatives, I don’t wish to pay this ransom, I need 11 days of clothing, want to minimize baggage weight, and I need heavier items to attend certain formal functions.” You can see my total question in the Latest Example.

With what now looked like the right question, I then had to come up with two “bookends”…these would be two extreme options that would frame my overall option picture. It took a little thought before I found what seemed like the most fitting ones: “Just take everything I need; don’t worry about bags or weight,” and “Stick with hand baggage; minimize clothes.” Neither made much sense even though they are clearly options. As extreme options my intuitive mind just couldn’t accept it naturally started searching for more plausible ones.

I then began to flush out what would eventually be six potential options, which you can view in our Latest Example. My third choice was: “Share the cost with spouse – share our luggage.” This was an option I hadn’t considered before, even though I see more couples doing it. You can find my other five options in the Latest Example.

I then decided to sleep on this picture to allow for some “emotional distancing.” I reviewed this picture prior to falling asleep, which seems to be an excellent way of allowing ones intuitive mind the space to mull over the alternatives and make a worthy judgment of the best option while sound asleep.  I believe our intuitions are sometimes clairvoyant, so they can foresee outcomes that we cannot. In a situation like this, I often find myself in the REM sleep phase – that pre-awakening moment – where the option has already been decided and I’m figuring out the “how.”  So it was with this case.

I won’t share my choice because it related to my special personal circumstances, where you are not in the same position. You can sense my “peace of mind” with my chosen option because I had considered all the other five and picked the optimum solution that would work for me. No double-guessing required.

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 ‘What is my best alternative for allowing a learning disabled person to access the Internet?’”  Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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Shortly before the recent end of year holidays an acquaintance was talking with me about how to handle her holiday quandary. It would be her first holiday party with this team and she would be the only female in a historically male dominated work unit. Her commute was pretty long so she was also concerned about potentially making a double trip. Her day would finish during the early afternoon, although the party would not start until mid-evening. She did not want to send bad vibes to the group after a pretty good start.
Once we got through understanding her situation, we quickly got down to formulating an appropriate question, which started out something like this: “What is my best option for handling my unit’s holiday party, considering…”
She now had to pinpoint the right considerations to accompany this question, which included: “Having limited funds to pay for it; it could mean a double journey; I will be the only female; having to return home late at night; and I do not wish to alienate my colleagues.” Her ultimate full question can be viewed in the Latest Example.
With this question in place, she now had to select two “bookends”…these would be her extreme options that would frame her overall option picture. She considered several bookends, but eventually narrowed it down to two: “Just don’t turn up,” which would imply ignoring her colleagues and “Make a full night of it” …equally unlikely. Her intuitive mind immediately wanted to reject these extreme options, but at the same time readied her to derive more plausible ones.
Ultimately she came up with five options; to be viewed in the Latest Example. Her fourth one was: “Go to the movies between work and the party, to spare me the extra trip.” Take a look at her four other options in our Latest Example.
Given that she had a few days to decide, she decided to sleep on her five options. That sleep time provided some “emotional distancing,” which is the art of stepping away from one’s choices to allow a certain amount of objectivity and intuitive activity to occur. Emotional distancing allows time for one’s intuitive mind to search through our inner database of past experiences to find similar scenarios and successful outcomes. The option picture she laid out was especially appealing to her intuitive mind because it loves to interpret pictures.
We won’t reveal her choice because that was something personal, based upon her own unique circumstances. Her final choice gave her “peace of mind” because she had now considered her most reasonable options and chosen an option that suited her best: a big advantage with option solving.
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 ‘What is my best approach to motivating my team right now?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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A team of executives had recently completed a retreat to formulate a strategic framework, followed by different initiative teams that would put together appropriate activities to move things forward. That done, it was now time to share the overall picture companywide, so that everyone was on the same page and fired up to participate to their best ability. The key team’s challenge: to communicate this picture in the most effective way.
This key team got their heads together to create the right question that would engage their collective intuitive minds…a collective wisdom resource so large, between the seven of them, that it’s virtually impossible to define it. That question started with: “What is our best means for conveying our important company strategic initiatives, considering…”
Finding the right considerations to accompany this question was going to be vital, since these factors would challenge their intuitive mind to search life-experience data bases for similar situations and outcomes. These turned out to be: current budgetary restrictions on company travel, the need to get everyone’s “buy-in,” make any presentation as simple and engaging as possible, and to encourage ongoing participation by everyone. You can see the full question in the Latest Example.
Their next step was to find two “bookends”…almost non-starter options that would help frame the option picture. Ones that immediately came to mind for them were: “Just send everyone a copy of the strategic materials,” which would imply no personal introduction or explanation and “Give everyone a personalized overview of strategic materials” …equally unlikely. Team intuitive minds would naturally reject these extremes, but then come up with more plausible options.
With these in place, they now exercised their collective intuitive minds to produce a more plausible range of options between these two extremes. The third was: “Key team make a video presentation and distribute to all company areas.” You can now take a look at the four other options in our Latest Example.
At the moment their option solving picture was complete, they ventured into some “emotional distancing.” Such activity included reviewing some other unrelated matters for about 10-15 minutes. Emotional distancing makes time for peoples intuitive mind to subconsciously consider past experiences and make trade-offs on each option. Pictures are such a good way of engaging our intuitive mind and sorting out all the implications. It does so with the speed of light. It is incredibly fast. Our intuitive minds also cannot resist answering questions, which nature has trained them to do.
Our group of 7 was now in a good position to make its choice, which it did without any fuss. We won’t reveal this choice because you would end up second guessing them rather than focusing on this great technique. Needless to say, they were happy with their choice. They also had “peace of mind” knowing they had looked at all their other options, therefore were content with their choice. Happy holidays.
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 ‘What is my best option for handling my team’s holiday party?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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Quite recently I was talking with an executive about his current career dilemma. He had been in discussion with some potential business partners for some good length of time about joining them. Two of them had recently made their first move and things were beginning to develop rather rapidly. He had no immediate successor. The one woman who could have replaced him left a few months back for another better paid opportunity. He was now wrestling with what to do.
It was natural for me to introduce him to Option Solving, a great way to resolve career dilemmas. So, needless to say, we quickly set to work creating the right question that his rational mind could use to tap into the significant wisdom of his intuitive mind. The question started to build like this: What is my best career move right now, considering…?”
Picking the right considerations was going to be important, since they would challenge his intuitive mind to search for many similar experiences over the course of his school and professional life. He ultimately came up with four: I don’t have an immediate successor, I have outside partners nudging me to join them, my current organization has stood by me for the past four years, and I don’t wish to alienate anyone (especially important when leaving a job).
His next step was to frame things further with two “bookends.” These were the “yin and yang” extreme possibilities that would come to mind from his overall question. The ones that immediately came to mind for him were: “Play along with the situation” and “Build my own empire within XYZ” – in other words, not leave but continue to build on what he had developed so far. It was clear neither of these were appropriate in the circumstances, but they would stir his mind into far more creative activity.
Now these were in place, his intuitive mind was already whirring to come up with a more plausible range of options between these two extremes. The second was: “Make a proposal to XYZ for 25% more resources.” You can find the other four in our Latest Example.
Once all five were in place, we turned this picture over for some “emotional distancing.” We began discussing some other unrelated topics for about 10 minutes. This permitted time for his intuitive mind to subconsciously dwell on the picture of options we had created, as well as make the appropriate trade-offs. Everyone’s intuitive mind does so well at assimilating and evaluating pictures, especially when they have questions attached to them. Our intuitive minds cannot resist questions.
He was now primed to make an optimum choice, which he did pretty readily. We’ll not divulge his optimum choice but leave you to pick the one that you feel best meets his situation. Suffice it is to say, he was happy with his choice, in addition to having that “peace of mind” knowing he had solved another quandary.
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 ‘What is our best means to convey an important company message?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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A topic that seems to come up on a frequent basis is how to handle one’s boss. In fact it came up in an option solving session with a group of executives the other week, so we set about using the technique as a way of finding an optimum immediate answer.
Quite naturally I worked with the group to formulate an appropriate question, which started with: “What is my best action going forward, considering…” Note the question starts with “What,” which is designed to engage our intuition. Our intuition is a gift we’ve been given to answer questions like this.
Now we needed to pick the right considerations, since they would further provide input to my audience’s intuitions through important factors to help sort out an optimum option. The ones we came up with included (since there were others): ‘Differences in personal orientation,’ ‘Current mutual concerns,’ and ‘Lack of confidence in each other.’ You can now view the final complete question under the Latest Example tab.
However, it’s worth noting at this point that the first consideration (differences in personal orientation) is a common issue with most “boss” difficulties. Too often people don’t take sufficient time to really understand their “boss,” in exactly the same way that they expect their boss to understand them. (Note: Recently I was dealing with multi-media professional who was experiencing difficulty winning his boss over. It turned out that his boss was a total numbers guy, who would look on multi-media as a “black art.” Hence the multi-media professional had to do a much better job of translating his work into numbers, so that his boss could relate to it.)
The next thing my group needed to do was frame things further with two “bookends.” These were the “yin and yang” extreme possibilities that come to mind from our comprehensive question. Ones that particularly came to mind were: “Do nothing” and “I need to take charge.” It is clear neither of these were particularly suitable, but they were more extreme options which helped to stimulate the group’s minds into creative activity.
Once these were in place, the group’s intuitive minds were now challenged to develop a range of plausible options between the two extremes. The first one that popped into people’s minds was: “Ask for a meeting to discuss options/meetings.” You can find the other four in our Latest Example.
With these five in place, I called for some time out for “emotional distancing.” We took to discussing some other unrelated topics for about 10 minutes. This allowed time for their intuitive minds time to subconsciously dwell on their picture of options and make the trade-offs, while focusing on other issues. Our intuitive mind does particularly well with assimilating and dissecting pictures.
They were now primed to make their best choice on behalf of their group colleague. As a group of well-informed participants, they were in a great position to add decisive wisdom through a confidential poll; which gave it even more credence. We’ll leave you to pick the one that you feel best meets the situation.
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 ‘What is my best next career move?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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