Dilemma's - what do I do to solve this?

A dilemma (Greek: δί-λημμα "double proposition") is a problem offering at least two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable. (Source: Wikipedia)

How often do you have dilemmas at work?  You are working towards creating a solution or are trying to work out a problem but no matter what you do there are going to be ill consequences.  Those consequences can either directly or more often indirectly affect you.

Dilemmas are often things we try very hard to steer away from and to avoid.  But when we are faced with a dilemma I recommend you consider these things before you go forward -

1. Who will this decision effect.  Map out the parties and persons that will ultimately be affected by your decision.  Think how about who will be directly/indirectly affected and what will happen with those people?
2. How will this decision affect people.  Some decisions will have limited impact while others will have wide riplle effects. 
3. When will this decision take affect.  You may not be able to avoid making a decisions but it is better to let key affectted people know well before the fact when you can.

Here is what I recommend.  Draw a series of circles within circles and map out the two scenarios using those circles.  Start with the directly affected people in the middle of the pond and then work your way outwards.

Consider such things as - financial impacts (them and you), people affected, the timeline, the strength of the affect on people, the amount of work that will be left behind and how many other people may you need to employ to offset the loss?.  For example - the person at the centre of the pond will have the highest % of affectedness.  Then in each ripple ring out from the centre the % of affect will decrease.

Then you can overlay the two and make a decision based on those facts.  A dilemma simply put is making the best choice yu know how using the information that you have available to achieve the best outcomes for all involved.

The worst thing you can do when you face a dilemma is to be an ostrich, put your head in the sand and hope it will go away.  What you really need to do is be clear, make a decision and move on.

Sisyphus - a tale of madness

"As a punishment from the gods for his trickery, Sisyphus was made to roll a huge boulder up a steep hill, but before he could reach the top of the hill, the rock would always roll back down, forcing him to begin again. The maddening nature of the punishment was reserved for Sisyphus due to his hubristic belief that his cleverness surpassed that of Zeus. As a result when Sisyphus was condemned to his punishment, Zeus displayed his own cleverness by binding Sisyphus to an eternity of frustration with the boulder rolling away from Sisyphus when he neared the top of the hill."

(Source: Wikipedia)

What tasks do you do that you can never complete?  How close can you get to finishing a project before you lose control of it and it rolls back on you?  When is it time to call it a new day and find a new task to do?

The definition of madness - doing the same thing, over and over and over again....

Here's the challenge -

1. Identify area's tasks and projects that never end and never finish in your working life.
2. Ask for help from others to get that boulder over the hill.
3. Or walk away and let someone else start rolling the boulder instead...

Help! I need somebody!

You're stuck.  What do you do?  Call for help.  Try these tips -

1. Ask someone who knows.
2. Get evidence and examples of what they have done that has worked.
3. Edit don't author.

(Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/magdalengreen/3901199775/)

Brain Storming

One TV program my kids watch that has an tool for business is - "The Imagination Movers".  It is a light and fun program that introduces  a number of different key concepts and problem solving skills and practices for kids (and adults as well!).

The show in brief - a person comes to the Movers with an issue or a problem.  The Movers are then engaged to help find a solution to the particular problem. 

How do they do it?  The Movers employ the 'Brain Storming' process.  They even have a song about it.  They think about all the possible solutions and avenues that a possible answer could come from and then they start experimenting. 

So what can we learn from these guys?

1. Finding solutions for problem situations can be fun.
2. There are no wrong ideas when searching for a solution.
3. It takes a lot of trial and error before you will find the solution that fits.
4. Teamwork creates more ideas and reduces the time for implementation.

Here's a clip from the show that highlights the Brainstorming emphasis.



Or for a more serious option check out Mindtols.com - http://www.mindtools.com/brainstm.html or try this website from the UK - http://www.brainstorming.co.uk/