I just received a call from an inactive client, Brad. He had a "win" to share. When we last spoke, he was well into his new high visibility leadership role in the communications industry and enjoying a new 2nd marriage. Brad tells me that he's been in the midst of the downside of fast growth -- a new upline was inserted between him and the CEO.

Brad's worst fears realized, the new guy came in like he was a tornado wanting to change everything all at once to prove his merit and mark out his turf. Brad's cohorts, all Top Management, bitched and moaned and made a pact that they'd speak up. Brad & I had dealt with a similar changing of the guard earlier in his fast track career. Although he did the right thing as a company man back then, he regrets having stuffed his own "truth" by talking the party line.

"Inspired By The Past, Built For The Future"
—	Panerai Watch ad Conde Nast Traveler

When he saw the change coming, he started to freak. What was he going to do this time? Should he jump ship, run for the hills or what? Worse he had so much more to lose and not a great position in a recession. He told me that he remembered one of my principles, "Tell the Truth as Fast as You Can."

Inspired, the next morning he "coached" his new up-line on how best to catalyze the change they envisioned so that it would stick... and work. Needless to say his 3 colleagues became shrinking violets and said nothing. The win came when later that day he heard folks across the company telling stories of how the new Boss is doing all the right things... Brad found a "win-win" solution in the midst of the chaos of change and transition.

What Brad first had to do was to assess the situation, and not get caught up in other people's reactions or his own panic and therefore see the bigger picture.

Brad began by exploring what he needed to do to take the higher road so that everyone could win. It meant determining what was really going on and how he could actively and positively transform the situation through expressing his truth.

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
—	Mahatma Ghandi

Brad proved himself to be a solution finder because he could open the communication between himself and the new boss without compromising anyone's personal integrity and thereby created the opportunity for both to be a great team.

The alternative would have been mass chaos… and most likely Brad and everyone else would have lost in the end.

When you are up against it in life, you can add to the chaos or cut through it to create shared positive outcomes.

Here is How You Can Be A Solution Finder:

	Step away from anxiety and chaos and assess the situation.
	Look for the bigger picture. Who are the key players? What are their roles? Their challenges? What is going on structurally to cause the problems?
	Explore how to create a "win-win" for everyone by taking the higher road. What will best serve the company and the key players? How can you turn the big picture view into a bigger picture truth?
	Evaluate whether it is risky or merely a risk to communicate the bigger picture truth. Measure it this way: "risky" communication could result in losing your job while a risk merely communicates the truth about challenging realities-and offers new ways to see things. A risk is vulnerable, since it steps outside the paradigm, but it can also yield innovative teambuilding solutions.
	Think carefully through what you will say so that you communicate clearly with conviction and with courage.

"If we do not change direction, we are likely to end up where we are headed."
—	Confucious

Fear, panic, and anxiety often gets most of us spinning... and will usually lead us away from our higher truths and the bigger picture. What most businesses need are solution finders, who are committed to catalyzing the best for everyone.

Brad's savvy actions led to his being a true leader and a conscious businessman-and this benefitted all around him, including his new boss. Clearly what the world needs is our skill at finding solutions rather than intensifying our problems. How can you start communicating big picture truths in your life?

Email me with the results. Are you creating your greater future today? How is greatness working in your life? What are you doing to make your future rock?