Problem Solving

Unlock Your Creativity

When you simply can’t come up with a solution for a nagging problem, remember these rules about creativity:

• Accept that creativity is a struggle. Often the solutions you find aren’t the ones you expected. Don’t automatically reject spontaneous solutions. Be receptive to off-the-wall ideas, even if it means discarding approaches you’re comfortable with.

• Set reasonable goals. Don’t expect the first idea you come up with to be the best one. Formulate reasonable goals, but do set them.

• Don’t panic. The creative process has a natural rhythm. Sometimes ideas gush, and sometimes they barely trickle. When the panic associated with creative block strikes, realize that it’s temporary and the creative process will begin to flow again.

Source: Les Stevens, Lodging Management Software, Harwich, MA.

What is the difference between a group and a team?

Teams:

• are a group of people working towards a common goal
• clarify goals
• identify hurdles that prevent them from reaching their goals and remove them
• forge pathways to get to their goals
• set up performance measurements to get to their goals

Groups:

• have limited techniques to get to goals that may not be set up
• may not resolve relationship problems all that well
• can distract the people involved from achieving their individual goals
• can meander

Would you rather have a family member administer your family’s goals or drive your family’s goals?

It depends on the size of the family goal and the role the family member takes. The difference will only be seen in larger or more complex goals. Drivers are the Leaders to a desired change. Administrators tweak self-inducing change.