The First Question Leaders Must Ask at a Problem Solving Meeting

We lead meetings for a number of different reasons.

"Perhaps the most common and best reason for a meeting though is to solve a problem . . . the problem is, that while the venue and the people might be correct, often the process is flawed. It is flawed because one question hasn't clearly been asked and answered."

I am tracking with the words of Kevin Eikenberry above and I continue to track when he identifies the one often unasked and unanswered question as, "What is the problem?"

Not asking and answering this question has lead many a problem solving team afoul. But, after participating in a refresher in interest based problem solving, I offer that this is not the first question leaders must ask at a problem solving meeting. 

Problem-solving meetings require the greatest skills in the meeting leader, who must work together with often conflicting participants to jointly develop a plan that will solve a problem. Identifying the problem properly will only get you so far if each member of the team is not committed to solving it.

Problem solving requires communication and trust. Yes, there will always be the inevitable conflict but a group can embrace the conflict to solve a problem if everyone is committed to seeking to understand what is being communicated . . . and to be impacted by it.

So before you lead a team in identifying and solving a problem, ask each member of the team, and yourself, this question, "Are you willing to be impacted by what is being communicated to you?"

Said another way, "Are you open to changing your mind?" Seeking to understand what is being communicated and then remaining open to changing your mind is a key component of true active listening and sets the stage for authentic collaboration and problem solving.

We can argue over power and rights but only when a group is prepared and committed to focus on interests can true problem solving occur - no matter what the problem happens to be.

Photo credit: iStockphoto

Birthdays: A Day in the Life Sunday

Happy Birthday fellow Leos!

This is the time of the year when the lions celebrate their birthdays. Birthday celebrations vary from the quiet and serene to the all-out bash. New to me is the idea of a birthday week where the birthday girl is treated to a week of celebration. I like!

I also like this fun facts about your birthday link from Lifehacker. My fortune cookie reads: You will be invited to an exciting event. Ok, let the invitations roll!

My birthday celebrations are focused on the one day and usually center on breakfast, relaxation, something sweet to eat (I am hoping for a DQ cake this year) and cards.

Did you know that the custom of sending greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese who exchanged messages of good will to celebrate the New Year, and to the early Egyptians, who conveyed their greetings on papyrus scrolls.

Today, there are over 2600 birthday cards available from Hallmark and with the new Go Card app, you can select, personalize and send a paper greeting cards from an iPhone anytime, from anywhere.

I am partial to paper cards. There's something about opening a hand addressed envelope, opening a card and seeing the birthday greeting chosen especially for me inside. I like thank you notes after interviews too.

Low key is OK on my birthday but this will not do for the kid and we go all out (read; overboard) in our plans. Our party themes have been princesses, snowflakes, polka dots, puppies, a mystery, the theater, Harry Potter, swimming sleep over and my all time favorite - a morning party with pajamas, pillows, breakfast and an ahhsome Finnish storyteller.

So while the kid is making me scones in our new mini scone pan and the husband is pouring the Bailey's in my coffee this Sunday birthday morning, do tell, how do you celebrate your birthday? What's the best tween theme you've seen?

Photo credit: iStockphoto