doug smith training

Sometimes team come together and sometimes they don't. When as a leader you can build a collaborative, cohesive, cooperative team you'll find your job is not only much easier but also more fun. One great way to bring a team together is to encourage them to solve problems. Introduce a creative problem solving process so that they work together, see the impact of their efforts, and consider the impact of their chosen solutions on others. Solving problems is a great way to engage your team. It takes conversation, understanding, creativity, clarity, courage, and even compassion to work together solving tough problems. Give them the guidance that they need, introduce a useful time tested and field tested process, and then watch the work begin.  -- doug smith

What's your single biggest stressor? Would you like to get rid of it? For me, the biggest stressor in my life is usually also my biggest problem. The longer it stays a problem, the bigger and more gnarly it gets, which puts more pressure on me to solve it, which causes more stress. I could do without that stress. But, it's there to help. Stress reminds us that somethings needs to be taken care of. Something needs to be fixed, found, or solved. Why not simply get started? Solving your toughest problem may not relieve all of your stress but it sure helps focus it in the right direction. Why not relieve some of that stress today? Get started! Centered problem solvers realize that problems are not completely separate from themselves. We know not to take them personally, and yet they interfere with our personal selves. Instead of reacting in an immobilized way to the stress that produces, why not move forward. Figure out the root cause of the problem and then set about a...