Problem Solving

How does your team solve the problems of the day – at Thoughts2Lead we take a careful methodical approach leading to lasting solutions. We intentionally go slow to go fast.

We focus on the understanding the problem; getting everyone around the table to actively define and actually articulate the problem.

Once we know the problem, we generate as many thoughtful solutions as possible – withholding judgment and resisting the urge to offer comment. Once we have a pool of possible solutions, we begin to assess their viability and we generate a list of pro’s and con’s. Once we can clearly see the risks and benefits of our solution set – we can make an informed choice that takes us forward.

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Truth Can Come From Unlikely Voices

Years ago, I had just finished speaking to a local group and while it wasn’t my best speech, I was proud of the fact that I had gotten more than a few rounds of applause and I had finally named some of those who I believed had created the conditions I found myself in.

The good Lord has a way of humbling you when you start letting your ego drive you, or in Baton Rouge as a few of the locals described it … started to smell yourself, because he sent an Miss Linda to me. At first, I thought this sweet older woman was coming up to congratulate me on my remarks but when that boney finger started waiving; I knew it was not congratulations she had in mind. Ms. Linda first introduced herself and then leaned in close and said, “Mr. Superintendent, you might think you are all that but let me tell you a thing or two. First, when you point your finger at someone else, look at your hand and you will see three fingers pointing right back at you. And second, ‘dem people aren’t here any-more and these kids are counting on you.”

I learned in that moment that blaming and sidestepping your responsibility wasn’t going to make us better. Pointing out what others hadn’t done wasn’t productive. It wasn’t going to make us better. It didn’t motivate or inspire others. Rather it kept us focused on the very things we wanted to move beyond.

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Don't Squander This Moment.....

What should we be saying to our teams about race and privilege today? How about beginning with this? “I value and believe in each and every one of you. I believe in your abilities and I believe in our joint capabilities. I will do everything I can to understand the challenges we are facing and I will provide you with the time, space, and support you require to do what you need to do; to find a sense of justice and a deeper sense of peace.”

And then affirm.

We will get through this together. 

There will be difficult days ahead, that much is certain. Each of us at Thoughts2Lead, believe being empathetic, honest, and transparent present the clearest path through these uncertain and difficult times.

This is a moment we cannot squander – it presents us with an opportunity to change who we are, how we see the world, and how we react to it; not just for a moment but through the long arc of our lives. It is our chance to move beyond a history of injustice and oppression. In this moment we have both the opportunity and the moral and political obligation to create the American dream for all. If we honestly believe that all men were created equally, this is our chance make those words a reality for all, if we honestly believe that all men have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, then this is our moment. 

Our team at Thoughts2Lead encourages leaders to begin this journey by truly seeing each team member for who they are; as men and women, and by acknowledging that everyone matters. 

We are encouraging leaders to learn more about injustice and oppression, to learn more about systemic racism and privilege. We are encouraging leaders to develop a deeper understanding of what each team member needs today to fell mentally and physically safe right now, as they support an organization or business. 

With all of the craziness of a world seemingly gone mad: the threat of Corona virus, senseless killings, unhinged politics and the perverse ugliness of some who simply don’t understand. Coupled with the anxiety of the economy, worries about family and friends and personal safety. Leaders must step up in meaningful ways. Leaders must explicitly ask their colleagues and team members what they need to feel and be safe and to be valued in the workplace and beyond. They need to ask what team members need in the workplace if they are going to be successful in their work during these difficult days? 

Do your team members need more information about what is going on in the community? In the industry, or in the workplace? Do they need greater flexibility in how they access the workplace in these difficult times? Do they need time to talk to others in similar situations? Do they require clearer expectations about what is expected and needed in this moment, or just the simple reassurance that you’re in this together and they can count on you.

Written by : Clayton Wilcox (CEO, Thoughts2Lead)

How We Can Become Stronger Together

I was reading a book yesterday, The President’s Devotional by Joshua Dubois and a passage jumped out at me – it was taken from the book of Matthew and it seemed strangely compelling for the days we are living through –

[Jesus said,] “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.”

Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink? When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?

The King will reply, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did for me.” – Matthew 25:35-40 – (NIV)

It’s easy to get caught up in the politics of the day. It’s easier still to get caught up in our own personal circumstances today. As they say – these are unprecedented times – but are they? If you are really hungry, not just that you missed lunch or dinner – but hungry in the sense that you don’t know where your next meal is coming from – are these unprecedented times? If you don’t have a change of clothes if you don’t have a home or place to rest. If you don’t know anyone as a friend to turn to for help – are these unprecedented times?

Maybe inconvenient times might better describe the times for many of us. 

Please know I am not for one moment dismissing or discounting the suffering and even loss of life for so many of our brothers and sisters. I am only trying to point out that for so many others – life is hard every day. 

 My guess is that if you are reading this – you have it better than most. I think this is the moment for those of us who enjoy such great privilege to ask ourselves if there will ever be a better time to lean in and fix what we are seeing so clearly today through our own experience and discomfort – that for some – the injustice of systemic and institutional biases, greed and our own prejudice has created a perpetual state of living in a pandemic like a certainty for many of our brothers and sisters every day – where hunger is the norm, where unemployment is your reality, where even death is likely to come too quickly because you don’t have access to medical services and the benefits of good food, shelter, and friendship. 

This is a time when leadership matters – when perpetuating the status quo simply isn’t acceptable. When returning to normal isn’t acceptable. We have to become better than before – we have to become more inclusive, more compassionate, and more responsive. We have no excuses. Consider once again the verse from Matthew, with the insert from Clayton – 

“Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you something to drink?

When did we see you as a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? (you saw me before, during, and after the Pandemic)

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? (you saw me before, during, and after the Pandemic).

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