How do you view leaders? Do you judge them on their oratory expertise? Their skills? Their ability to deal with difficult situations? Their ability to help others solve problems? Their ability to actually put forth a solution? Their charisma?
This is an election year. Sigh. What I like to see from leaders is not what a former leader or opponent has not done or done wrong, etc., is what they actually propose.
I want to hear a leader say, “This is want I want to do and how I want to achieve it.” Now that is not always possible, but it is important for people to stop the blame game and just step up to the plate and offer some solutions. Concrete solutions.
IAAP is having some issues with the International Board and some of their decisions. A lot of the long-time members are dissatisfied, unhappy, discontent and downright angry. Angry enough to leave the organization. As the Colorado-Wyoming-Montana Division President, my goal is to remain on the fence. Hmmm, I think the members are professionals who, if they remove the emotions, can make up their own minds. I simply provide the information from both sides.
One of the great books is How to Stop Worrying and Start Living, by Dale Carnegie. He has has time-tested methods on problem solving. Here are his steps:
1) What is the problem?
2) What is the cause of the problem?
3) What are all the possible solutions to the problem? (With this one – don’t debate if someone is right or wrong! Just list solutions)
4) What solution do you suggest?
These are simple, easy to follow guidelines that can help anyone from age 4 and up to learn to solve problems.
