ProductiveExchanges

Complex problems/challenges require collective intelligence.  Our best chance of solving complex problems is to explore a wide variety of options and examine the problem from various perspectives.

Here are some strategies that promote authentic discourse, in the interest of actually solving complex problems:

• Enter such conversations with a curious mind - suspending our preconceived notions and striving mightily to understand our own assumptions/biases.
• Ask deep, open, and probing questions (not those designed to be position statements).
• LISTEN to the responses of others (and ourselves) - with our ears, with our eyes, with our minds.

Here are some strategies that virtually ensure that complex problems DON'T get solved:

• Make others feel stupid or devalued.
• Keep others from expressing their viewpoint/thoughts.
• Use diversionary tactics that turn focus toward things/issues other than the problem at hand.

As always, we get to choose...

Note:  Complex problems rarely have simple solutions.