SOLUTIONs:

Hammers and Nails and Problems – and Solutions

I suppose it is tempting, if the only tool you have is a hammer, to treat everything as if it were a nail. Maslow in “Toward a Psychology of Being”

Let’s be careful not to make every solution a hammer and nail solution.

The Concept

Different challenges and problems need different ways of solving them, in fact, there could be more than one way to solve a situation.  And with complex issues, there may be many steps or parts to a solution.

In Organizations

It’s very easy to try and do the same thing over and over in any organization.   The phrase “we’ve always done it that way” is common for a reason.  But when change comes and new problems arise, new tools need to be found and used to reach a positive solution.

In (my) Coaching and Supervision

What am I saying? Well, in clothing terms, “one size does notfit all.”  In coaching  and supervision terms it means that one theory has a better solution for one challenge and another kind or method of coaching or supervision  has a solution that fits better with a second issue. This is one of the reasons why I use several different theories and methods, and why I continue learning and getting more training.

Of course we all have our favorites and personal strengths.  Mine are psychology (in general, specifically, Jungian, cbt and gestalt) and systems theory, but I do not solely use these constructs to help me with my clients, of course I use an “artist’s pallet” of tools and theories.

For You

This phrase should also apply to you, your organization and your business:  one solution may work in one case or have worked in the past, but now you may need another tool or method of problem-solving for the next time.  This is why we should all be extremely careful not to look at a situation with blinders or tunnel vision., or to “follow the crowd” with the newest  or most popular method.

Some Questions for Reflection:

Here are some questions for you to think about this week regarding your problems:

What is my biggest challenge at the moment?  When I put it on a scale, how important is it to me to solve this issue?  What benefit does NOT solving the problem give- and to whom? By when would I want it solved?  What was a previous solution to a situation that I was satisfied with? How did I arrive at that solution?

and so on…

Have a great week!

Patricia Jehle  patricia@jehle-coaching.com