How to Reframe Business Challenges

**BRING SOLUTIONS. NOT PROBLEMS. STOP SAYING SORRY. START SAYING THANK YOU.** I truly believe we should apply more management principles to a number of things. Politics aside, a great example of this is the way in which the Prime Minister of Greece is managing the country - as if it was a company. It is interesting that the majority of times we tend to think those principles can't be applied to social or public institutions or problems because they lack the "people side of things". But companies are made of people. As much as schools, NGOs, hospitals, governments. Reframing our way of thinking is a challenging exercise but as for many others "practice makes perfect". There are many examples of reframing our way of thinking and even our way of writing or speaking. A good example is a tip one of my mentors gave me once: she asked me "How many times do you say sorry when you speak or when replying back to a client, or even when delivering something?" Stop saying sorry and start saying thank you - (read the full article here for context: https://lnkd.in/dsrzsTpP). E.g. Instead of "Sorry for asking for help" - "Thank you for your support". Ultimately this is also part of something my first manager taught me about: Growth mindset. Widely proven and tested it shows that we can develop this capability of seeing problems as opportunities and that reframing helps in this process. This is something that we should do in our teams or even feedback sessions. The motto is "Bring solutions not problems". How? #1 The solution is in the problem. But the solution is the focus. Always acknowledge the problem but don't reach out to your manager, team or colleagues to complain and discuss the problem. Discuss the problem but present your solutions (ideally A, B and C). Do not give feedback without sharing a solution. #2 Trust the data. We tend to argue we can't measure everything and that sometimes it is difficult to back up solutions and even problems on data. I would challenge that. Always try to find data even if qualitative. This applies to feedback, performance, projects, people. Trust the data and use it as your main ally! # Develop your growth mindset. This can sound a bit abstract but it is way more scientific than what you could imagine. If you don't trust me go read and learn from Carol Dweck. When I started my first full time job I was managing a quite complex portfolio and it was difficult for me to understand how to prioritise. My team challenged me to present a solution that could help. And that was the kick-off of my growth mindset (might share it in a post one day). EXTRA: This applies to Portugal as well. We have too many people finding problems and not as many finding + building solutions. I know this is a way more complex problem but we need to start somewhere. In our companies, communities and families. It starts with every single one of us. Today. Not tomorrow. Not in 2024. Today!

Due to reorgs, new strategic priorities, new technology, and more, we are constantly having to pivot at work. We must change the way we are used to working and such change can be hard. I’m a creature of habit and take comfort in my routines. The known is comforting; the unknown is not.  I like looking back to my past successes to know what I can accomplish going forward. Despite my love for security, control, and comfort, I’ve been thinking a lot about my go to strategies for pivoting with ease.  Reframing is turning out to be a key strategy.  Reframing is about looking a current situation from a new perspective.  Consider a few examples from my last week.  I reframed the following: “We have a new boss we need to get up to speed on our work” --> “I get to reposition our work to someone with a fresh perspective.” “Generative AI is going to make it difficult assess student work” --> “Because of generative AI, students will be able to perform at an even higher level.” “Reporting standards are increasing” --> “I get to learn new ways to efficiently capture my activities while I work.” Okay. Maybe that last one still feels like a stretch. But reframing has helped me to focus on the potential good that can come out of an inevitable change rather than resisting it.  Resistance usually doesn’t feel all that good and rarely stops change from happening. The sooner I can let go of the resistance and embrace the change, the better. What reframes have helped you embrace change this week at work? 

The one constant in life is change. The ability to keep learning, growing, and adapting is essential. In my experience as Chief of Staff and Project Manager, I've noticed a common trait among successful individuals, teams, and companies: they're not afraid of change—they embrace it. Their ability to adapt, innovate, and collaborate propels them forward. By proactively leaning into change, they not only set themselves up for success but also foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. It's this forward-thinking mindset that keeps them ahead of the curve in our ever-evolving landscape. Here are 5 mindset shifts that can enhance adaptability for you and your team: 1. Embrace Uncertainty: See uncertainty as an opportunity for growth, driving curiosity and exploration. 2. Focus on Solutions: Shift your focus from dwelling on problems to actively seeking and implementing solutions. 3. Learn from Challenges: See setbacks and obstacles as learning experiences rather than failures, and use them to fuel growth and development. 4. Stay Open-Minded: Cultivate a mindset of curiosity and openness to new ideas, perspectives, and approaches. 5. Foster Collaboration: Encourage teamwork, communication, and collective problem-solving to leverage the diverse strengths and skills of your team. By embracing these mindset shifts, you and your team can better adapt to change, overcome challenges, and thrive in dynamic environments.

Ever hit a roadblock in your life or career? The kind that stops you in your tracks or takes the wind out of your sails? We’ve all been there at some point. It’s part of the deal with life and work. Layoffs, missed job offers, promotions that go to someone else, or just feeling stuck in our career...Sound familiar?   The key to moving beyond the obstacle? Reframing. I love this concept. Research suggests that how we view challenges impacts our ability to tackle them. Seeing problems as opportunities can boost our creativity and problem-solving skills. It's not just positive thinking; it's strategic thinking. Instead of viewing career stagnation or a layoff as a dead end, use it as a catalyst to redefine your value proposition and goals. Find another route. Explore new paths. Reframing isn't about ignoring reality. It's about choosing a perspective that gives you power instead of taking it away. Identify one challenge you're facing. Now, reframe it. Instead of seeing it as an obstacle, how can you reframe it as an obstacle course designed for your growth? What skills can it help you develop? How can it make you stronger, wiser, better? Shifting how you see things can open new doors, spark unexpected solutions, and transform your professional journey. It did for me. Reframing steered me onto a path I never thought I’d be brave enough to walk. Give it a try. You might be surprised by what becomes possible. #Reframing #GrowthMindset