Focus on the “What” Not the “How”

At our recent Finance and Administrative Services managers’ meeting, we all participated in a facilitated exercise where we identified a particular leadership challenge for each of our several small teams. As each group analyzed and reviewed their scenarios, we were asked to describe what the particular situation looked like fixed (the “what”). While the natural tendency was to provide the solution in outlined steps (the “how”), we were reminded to focus on simply brainstorming and reaching consensus on a picture of the desired outcome. The value of the lesson was reinforced as the groups shared their images of success, without false limits, without artificial boundaries.

This approach encourages us to look forward in a positive manner, rather than blinding ourselves with present or past obstacles. The benefits are even more obvious when we work in teams where it can be easy to point out clouds on the horizon of the “blue sky” dreams of others. This is no doubt the reason why the classic brainstorming model discourages placing judgment or value on the expression of ideas.

So, as we envision our big ideas or even develop solutions to smaller, more mundane tribulations, let’s remember to focus on the “what” not the “how” of the situation. Let’s accept responsibility to use innovation to meet our leadership challenges; let’s not limit our future possibilities with our current realities; let’s open the shutters in our mind’s eye and allow our imagination to create a picture of our next success.

Dream big, dream boldly, dream with confidence.