Option Solving Blog

Over a recent lunch I found myself talking to a senior executive about his next career move. He has done a stellar job with his present company over the past five years, but now felt it was time for him to move on to something else…although wasn’t quite sure what that was to be. We naturally turned to looking at all his options. Once we got the ball rolling, we went back to first base for Option Solving which is to devise an appropriate question
Cutting straight to the chase, this question turned out to be: “What will be my optimum career option going forward: considering that I desire doing something fresh and different, I feel that I’ve little more to contribute where I am, I enjoy doing deals, I have some interest in mentoring, and that I’ve grown in leadership and business wisdom?” There were other important considerations but these five were the most important ones..Ultimately they help the intuitive judgment to put things properly into perspective.
We then set about creating two bookends to sharpen his intuitive mind for figuring out the best options available. These bookends were: at one end “Walk out tomorrow with little fore-thought on the future,” as the Yin, while the Yang at the other end was: “Make an orderly, early retirement to travel and write a book .” The reasons why these extreme options were unacceptable are indicated in our Latest Example. His mind was now primed to seek out the most likely, realistic options.
I explained that it was important for him to produce at least five options; as a way of stretching his intuitive senses to come up with every reasonable possibility. In this case, he eventually came up with six, with always the possibility for him to add others before deciding. One that he was likely to favor was: “Mentor own son in his own desired venture + pursue my hobbies “…Option F. The five other considered options are shown: again with the possibility of adding others.
With this pictogram in place, with or without his extra options, I advised him to allow some time for emotional distancing. I encouraged him to sleep on it, since it was such an important decision. He should look at the pictogram before he goes to sleep and then revisit it as soon as he wakes-up. Whatever option his mind focuses on should be his choice. His enormous intuitive mind will have scanned overnight all prior similar experiences in his life and will indicate which is the best choice for him. He should stick with that choice, despite any reservations, since that’s the one his instinctive judgment is most comfortable with. He can then work through the related issues.
Emotional distancing allows the enormous power of the intuitive mind to subconsciously mull over the pictogram, since it prefers interpreting pictures, to relate his given options to all prior similar experiences. Maybe you can see another option or know which way you would go? Once he’s made that choice, it’s strongly recommended that he figure out an action initiative immediately, while all the issues are to the forefront of his mind..
If you have an option solving example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “What is our best option for Board Strategic activities?” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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A family friend recently found himself wondering what his next career step would be because, after 3 years of study, where he got a masters degree in law, he didn’t succeed with his bar exam. The bar is high, so he has to decide whether to take it again in the Spring or return to his family and settle into a career. Since family circumstances have changed at home, the sooner he puts himself somewhat at their disposal and brings in some sort of income, it will put their minds at rest.
It was now time to make use of option solving, so as to come up with an optimum career solution. Since he had already read the book: ‘Smart Decisions: Goodbye Options, Hello Options,” he was aware of the initial need to develop an appropriate question to prime his “brain tissue.” This question came out to be: “What will be my optimum career possibility; considering I have to take my bar exam again, I already have a masters law degree, It’s time to move ahead with my career, there are several possibilities from where I am today, and family circumstances have changed in recent times?” The considerations were important to properly frame the question and only the key ones are shown here..
He then knew he had to create two bookends to prime his intuitive mind for figuring out the best possibilities. His chosen bookends were: at one end “Sit back and enjoy life until the right situation comes along,” as the Yin, while the Yang at the other end was: “Pursue education for a totally different career.” The reasons why these extreme options were unacceptable are indicated in our Latest Example. He was now ready to seek out the most realistic but creative options.
It was important for him to produce at least five options; as a way of stretching his intuitive senses to come up with every reasonable possibility. In this case, he came up with five, but left himself room to determine at least one other option over night. One of those he produced was: “Seek a position in corporate counsel’s office (or non-profit equivalent) and then use as a stepping stone into other corporate positions “…Option C. The four other considered options are shown, with one open item (F) should he arrive at any additional option.
Once his full pictogram is in place, with or without his extra F option, he should allow time for emotional distancing. Emotional distancing will allow him time to distance himself from the pictogram, turn to some other project for a while, and then revisit it to make his final choice. This ED could be for 10-20 minutes or he could sleep on it, again, overnight.
Emotional distancing allows the enormous power of the intuitive mind to subconsciously mull over the pictogram, since it prefers interpreting pictures, to relate his given options to all prior similar experiences. Maybe you can see another option or know which way you would go?
Once he’s made that choice, it’s strongly recommended that he figure out an action initiative immediately while all the issues are at the forefront of his mind. It will also spur him to move ahead rather than second-guess himself. The latter could prove career fatal.
If you have an option solving example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Career decisions, once more!” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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In our last Option Solving blog, we explored the way young or more seasoned job hunters can create a pictogram of their career options and then, through emotional distancing, draw upon the wisdom of their extraordinary intuitive mind to choose their best career option. Once they have decided on the career of their choice, now they can use peeling the onion to find the best means of getting started in that career.
Using the same option solving technique as before, their first step in Peeling the Onion is to come up with an appropriate question. You can view our Latest Example to see a preferred question like: “What is the best way for me to pursue the career of my choice using Peeling the Onion, considering the difficulties of getting onto the ladder, the need to get a solid entrée, a tough market for starter positions, and the need to make the most of every opportunity” The given four considerations are at least 50% of the drawn-up listing.
Now you set about producing two bookends (find out more about these from the book). The most likely bookends could be: 1) Do nothing and just hope the right job comes along. 2) Follow the career path decided by my family and friends, as per the previous career choice blog. The idea behind bookends is to choose extremes the young or seasoned job hunter is least likely to follow: hence the ones stated above. As extremes, these bookends prompt one’s mind to come up with the most realistic but creative options.
With these in place, now the career seeker can determine the five or more reasonable options for getting their chosen career started. By referring to our latest example, you will see that one option is to:” Offer to work pro-bono in organization of career choice and hope to be given a paid opportunity after trial period”…Option E. The four other considered options are there. Maybe you can see other options.
Now you pursue some “emotional distancing,” whether that be for 10-20 minutes or you decide to sleep on it. After that break, quickly look through the pictogram and decide on your optimum choice. Once done, you should now put together an “action initiative,” while things are still fresh in your mind, in order to proceed.
Once decided, don’t let family and friends put you off. No matter the challenges or obstacles, this is the best career sub-step for you. You should pursue your dream career at all costs. Remember, “He/she who lets go is the one who loses out.” Best of luck with your chosen career! (Note: Get your family and friends to visit this blog, too!)
If you have an option solving example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “What is our best alternative toward running more effective meetings?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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At this time of year, many young people, having completed their high school or college education, are struggling with what career they wish to pursue. This blog is about Option Solving and option solving is a much better way for younger folks to make their career choices, than so many of the traditional modes. In a moment you will see why.
By working the option solving exercise through with them, they feel they are steering events rather than you as a parent or career advisor.
Younger folks have picked up a tremendous amount of intuitive wisdom in their lives to date –from friends, family, schooling, college, early work experiences, and so on. Intuitive wisdom provides an incredible bank of information to draw upon when the time comes for choosing careers. The trick is to access that bank of information in the most effective way: how do I access that mind boggling level of intuitive wisdom this younger person has gained over the years? That’s where Option Solving comes in.
The first step is to come up with an appropriate question. Perhaps one like: “What’s the best career choice for me now?” You can learn more how to pose the right questions from the book, although this also should include some vital considerations; like…how far can I travel, my minimal compensation package needs, and what is my dream job?
Your next step with Option Solving is to set your mind an additional framework known as bookends (find out more about these from the book). But two likely bookends could be: 1) Do nothing and just hope the right job comes along. 2) Follow the career path decided by my family and friends. The idea behind bookends is to choose extremes the young person is least likely to follow: hence the ones stated above.
With these extremes their incredible intuitive wisdom will kick in, as it wants to reject these bookends. Then you should map out 5-8 alternative choices of career that appeal to him/her in some way – see example under Latest Example tab.
Once you have laid out these options encourage your young subject go to bed and sleep on them – as a younger folk that will probably mean from 2.00AM to 2.00PM the following afternoon! However, before he/she closes their eyes, they ask themselves exactly the same question as you posed to them earlier: “What is the best career choice for me now?”
The first choice (of all the alternatives) that pops into their head when they wake up is the career choice they should pursue. This sleep break is known as “emotional distancing” (more in the book) and allows their intuitive intelligence to work at its best.
Once decided, don’t let them be put off by family and friends. No matter the challenges or obstacles, this is the career of their dreams and should be pursued at all costs. Remember, “He/she who lets go is the one who loses out.” Best of luck with their chosen career! (Note: Get your family and friends to visit this blog, 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 Peeling the Onion to decide on ‘What is the best way to pursue my chosen career?’” Let’s have your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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A recent discussion with a friend revealed his dilemma with a grown son who was learning disabled, due to autism-Aspergers, and who lived in a sheltered home for people with special needs. Up until now his son was escorted by a house social worker while active within the local community. His son was now pushing to have more independence, which was creating a dilemma for my friend, his wife and the house staff.

After explaining the basis and advantages of option solving, it seemed appropriate to use the technique with my friend, his wife, the house manager, and a member of staff (who was most closely associated with the son).

So together they set about assembling the right question with considerations, using their rational thinking, so that they would be able to challenge their intuitive capabilities in an optimum way. This proved to be: “What is our best option for giving a Learning Disabled Adult more independence; considering he’s pushing for more freedom, he generally needs an escort within the community, it ties up staff resources, he desires more freedom to connect with females, and any SNAFUs would reap the wrath of local authorities?” Other considerations emerged, but they agreed to choose the roughly 50% most important ones.

With this in place, they were now ready to choose two outlier “bookends” that would create outer limit options for any range of ultimate options. They would also prompt more creative thinking when the time came to produce the most likely options. Those two outliers came to be: “Just ignore him,” at one end, with, “Allow him free rein” at the other. They have shown why these would probably not be a good idea in our Latest Example, even though they are still clearly options.

They were now challenged to produce at least five options, so as to stretch their creative thinking as far as is practicable. If they could come up with more, all well and good. You can view their best choices in our Latest Example. One of them happened to be: “Allow him monthly independent activities that are well prepared” – Option D. Can you come up with others?

Now they were encouraged to spend some emotional distancing time, in order to allow their intuitive minds to subconsciously chew over their five options and aid their coming up with an optimum choice. Since time wasn’t pressing, they were in a position to sleep on it and then exchange thoughts the following morning.
Once they agreed on a solution, then the manager and her staff member were able to develop an appropriate action initiative while the deliberations were fresh in their minds.

If you have an issue example of your own that you wish to be solved, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Dealing with Career Choices of Sons or Daughters?” We’re always interested in your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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I had the misfortune just recently to catch up with a former client, who got hit very hard post the Great Recession through DOD cutbacks. It was growing and running pretty hard even until 2011 and then a year later its “pipeline” had virtually disappeared. Although I had long encouraged them to commercialize their know-how, too, they had many false starts and had minimal success for whatever reason. Their VC investors immediately tore into the operation, pushed them to cut back, and inserted a trusted executive to oversee the operation.

At some point, the trusted executive dropped out of the picture and the partners set-up a new management arrangement among themselves, which was unpopular among certain members, so their partnership became even more dysfunctional. The banks were also breathing down their necks, so they were being squeezed to find a new option.

I have offered to do an option solving exercise with them and, until they are ready, decided to work through what their options might be in advance. So my first task was to establish the right question, based upon my insider knowledge. This came out as follows: “What is our best option to rescue our failing company: considering that we have a dysfunctional partner team, our DOD market has imploded over the past 2 years, our current pipeline is very thin, our bankers/equity holders are pressing us very hard, and we have not been able to capitalize on commercial market opportunities yet?” There were other considerations, but I decided these were the most important ones.

Now I had this rational question to trigger my enormously powerful intuitive mind, as per every other human, I then needed two outlier “bookends:” both as outer limit options and to prompt a cast of more likely options for consideration. The two outliers I devised were: “Keep going as we are,” at one end, with, “Find a new, neutral executive to run our company” at the other. I have shown why these wouldn’t work in our Latest Example, even though they are still clearly options, but were out of the question. Nevertheless, they would spur me to come up with other option ideas.

I knew I had to come up with at least five options, to stretch my creative mind and the possibilities as far as is practicable. If it’s possible to come up with more, that’s good, too. You can see what I considered as their likely choices in our Latest Example. One of my choices was: “Get partners focused on a new promising path” – Option A. Can you come up with others?
If I get the opportunity to share this with them, I will encourage them to come up with other options, encourage them to take some emotional distancing time, and then reach a consensus on their favored option. Because of its importance, there may be some negotiation over their consensus choice as is appropriate. Even so, they need to reach a choice at that moment in time and then move forward.

Once they have that choice in hand, they can then assemble an action initiative to implement as soon as practicable. With luck, it might create some renewed unity among this disparate group of partners.

If you have an issue example of your own that you wish to be solved, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Giving more independence to a learning disabled adult?” We’re always interested in your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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In our last blog, we shared holding an option solving exercise with a friend, who was trying to broach the subject of a 70th birthday celebration with his/her spouse. Not only did this friend get good feedback from his/her spouse, but he/she got good clues on preferences. Based upon that feedback this friend was then able to use OS again, through a Peeling the Onion exercise, to further refine his/her approach.

Since the friend was now perfectly clear about the steps involved with OS, I could leave him/her to proceed on their own. Later on that friend shared with me his/her OS pictogram. In it the initial question he/she determined was: “What is my spouse’s best option in celebrating with Office Staff & Mom, plus with family later (Option D): considering that it keeps things low key, all the family gets involved, it makes a fun situation for office staff, and it makes it somewhat memorable?” He/She pointed out there were other considerations, but he/she picked out the top three so as to minimize the question’s complexity.

With this question in hand, my friend had developed two outlier “bookends.” Bookends provided him/her with the outer limit options to which he/she was willing to go. They also served to nudge his/her intuitive imagination to produce a range of more realistic options. The two outliers he/she had noted were: “Make it seem like a normal day,” at one end, with, “Add a lot of fanfare and hoopla around it” at the other. Why these weren’t acceptable are given in our Latest Example.

He/She had already determined at least five alternatives, to stretch the possibilities as far as is practicable. The more, within reason, the merrier, since that ensures most options are exhausted. You can see all of his/her choices in our Latest Example. One choice was: “Light office lunch + staff “roast”+ special restaurant in the evening for family” – Option B. Can you come up with others?

My friend then informed me that he/she had taken some emotional distancing time, where he/she had gone off and worked on other things for a while before coming back to the pictogram, quickly scrutinizing it, and then making a choice. You can hazard your own guess.

Apparently, he/she had developed an action initiative on the spot, while everything was still fresh in the mind. By the time we got to review his/her
pictogram, he/she was already making a lot of progress.

If you have an issue example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “What do we do with our failing company?” We’re always interested in your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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A friend was recently struggling to determine what to do for his/her spouse’s 70th birthday celebration. After some discussion, we agreed that his/her best solution was to get some input from the spouse by way of option solving. We figured that if the spouse could be presented with some potential options, in the form of a pictogram, not only could he/she add some additional ideas of their own, but he/she would also give some strong indications of their preferences in the circumstances.

And so, after a quick run through all the steps involved, we set about producing an appropriate question and pictogram. When it came to the question, we came up with the following rationale after due deliberation: “What is your preferred choice for your 70th Birthday; considering it might not be the most auspicious life-mark, it will be very close to a major trip, funds will be somewhat tight, it’s always an opportunity to involve family and friends, other spouse would rather not highlight his/her own age, and it will be a likely day at work?” There were other key considerations, but we chose to keep these to 50% of the total so as to minimize question complexity.

Now we had this question at hand, we were in a position to come-up with two outlier “bookends.” Bookends provide the extreme limits in options to which the participant will go. They also provide a spur to the participants’ intuitive imagin-ation to come-up with a range of more realistic options. The two outliers we created were: “Don’t celebrate at all,” at one end, with, “Big bash for all” at the other. The unacceptability of these are given in our Latest Example.

Since the name of the game in option solving is to come-up with at least five alternatives, to stretch the possibilities and make use of the intuitive mind’s creativity, we did produce five. However, as you can see in our Latest Example, I advised my friend to create two open ellipses for his/her spouse to come up with a couple of ideas of their own. This would further create buy-in and eke out other preferences. You can see all of this in our Latest Example. Can you come up with others?

I then advised him/her to share this pictogram with his/her spouse and see if other options emerged. Once they were all in place, my friend should then encourage his/her spouse to sleep on it and give him/her their preference the following morning. One other option would be to ask the spouse to give two preferences, so there might be at least some element of surprise when the day came around.

If you have an issue example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “Peeling the Onion for that 70th Birthday Celebration?” We’re always interested in your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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Just recently, I found myself taking with two executives who were rather frustrated with their current boss relationship. He was located overseas, fairly young, very ambitious, and wanted to make his mark. This was more than reflected in his need to feel in charge and know every detail about what was going on with these two executives. What he didn’t seem to grasp was that they were smart, had long experience in the company, were clearly competent, and well respected in their roles. They didn’t feel the need to be micromanaged.

Their dilemma was how to handle this without jeopardizing their careers. So I familiarized them with the option solving technique and then we set to work.

Their first task was to create an effective question with appropriate consider-ations, which came through as: “What is our preferred option for a “meet-ing of the mind” with our boss: considering his need to be in “control,” he’s undermining morale, and he’s not helping his career?” There were two other considerations, but chose these three as the most important to minimize question complexity.

With an optimal question in play, they were now in a position to prepare two outlier “bookends.” Bookends become the extreme limits in options and a spur any participants’ intuitive creativity so that they can produce a range of more likely options. The two extremes they developed were: “Both walk out,” at one end, with, “Give our full cooperation” at the other. Why these were not acceptable are given in our Latest Example.

I now challenged them to find at least five alternatives and they went on to conjure up seven, as you will see in our Latest Example, one of them was: “Speak with him and his boss”… Option E. The other six options are there to be viewed in our Latest Example. Can you come up with others?

I then suggested they take a 10 minute break, as a form of emotional distancing. When they returned, we uncovered their option solving pictogram and they reviewed it quickly, as a reminder to their intuitive mind, and then chose the one that best met their situation. They then put together an action initiative, while it was still fresh in their minds. This would be their kick-starter.

If you have an issue example of your own, please share it with this blogger, through the COMMENTS area.
Thanks Option Solving. (NOTE: Next posting in 2 weeks: “A surprise
example?” We’re always interested in your COMMENTS or go to peter@ileadershipsolutions.com to connect with the blogger.)

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