Greek Debt Dealing with Differences

We can avoid a great deal of frustration even demoralization if we can learn to recognize problems for what they are. Those that can be solved and those by their very nature that are incapable of being solved. These are convergent and divergent problems.

The various parts of a convergent problem can be brought together sooner or later, and can be made to fit to the solution of the problem. Left brain thinking High Greens and High Reds  that think in terms of facts,logic and data have natural talents in  solving  convergent problems.

Problems we cannot solve in such a fashion are divergent problems. Their various parts defy successful amalgamation, at best they can only be lived with in a successful manner as we can achieve  but they still remain ongoing and divergent. Right Brain  thinking High Yellows and High Blues that deal with dreams,visions and concepts are naturally adept at dealing with divergent problems.

Attempting to solve the divergent problem in Greece with convergent thinking leads only to moments of misery, as we saw this past weekend.

The Greek Debt Crisis  is a problem of opposites.It is divergent and the European leaders are trying to reconcile the irreconcilable. The Euro group wants order and control, but the Greeks want freedom.Order is the glue that holds the Euro  together. Too much order and control and freedom is surpressed, too much Freedom and order dissolves into chaos.

In the High Red and Green world  of the Euro Group everything is based on science and technology order and control. They  are overlooking the fact that freedom and creativity present the hope of the future for the Greeks.

Yet how do you develop the vital ingredients of creativity in politics, economics and human relations and still maintain order?

The answer to creating harmony within the Euro Group can be found by using  iMA to deal with  differences.

 Alexis Tsipras began to  iMAgineer the Greek Debt Crisis immediately after he won the referendum on July 6th  by first asking  his High Red finance minister Yanis Varoufakis to step down after he infuriated Euro Zone leaders by comparing them to terrorists. Varoufakis, thrived on controversy that lead to Greek isolation with the other 18 countries of the Euro zone largely because of what was seen as being a" know it all". According to a senior EU diplomat" Everything that Varoufakis has done has been calculated to alienate"  Reinforcing this opinion Yanis stated" I shall wear the creditors loathing with pride"

High Yellow Tsipras used iMAgineering by replacing him  with  amiable supportive High Blue British educated  economist Euclid Tsakalotas who was viewed by Brussels as being " moderate and sensible"

On July 8th High Green Piere Moscovici the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs said" The tone has changed from the Greeks in the final round of negotiations.

Clearly Mr Tsakalotas is not Mr Varoufakis and the meeting we had in the Euro group,I have to say was positive and constructive. The tone is one thing and now today what we expect is a concrete, comprehensive, complete, tangible and realistic from Mr Tsipras and his government."

Alexis and Euclid called in their High Green Greek associates to draft a reform plan that would be seen by the High Green members of the group starting with Angela Merkel and Christine Lagarde head of the IMF and Jeroen Dijselboen  and Piere Moscovici as being "comprehensive, specific and meaningful"

 Tsipras  then used iMA  by drawing on his High Yellow charm and natural persuasive skills  and  the natural chemistry of his fellow High Yellows French Prime Minister  Hollande

 and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi to convince the High Reds including  Donald Tusk, Wolfgang Schauble and others that they had control of the situation :)

He was able to successfully defuse the situation by adding a playful  light touch to the negotiations  and by deflecting pain with humour. In the end all 4  iMA styles got what the wanted and needed.  

Through iMAgineering he created a " Win,Win Environment !

High Red Donald Tusk said
"Today we had only one objective, to reach an agreement. And after 17 hours, we have it, Some could say we have an aGreekment."

 And High Green IMF chief Christine Lagarde said that the deal is a “good step to rebuild confidence.

High Yellow Francois Holland today proclaimed that " Europe has won!  To have lost Greece as a member would have been to lose "the heart of our civilisation" 

And of course all an exhausted looking High Blue Euclid Tsaklotos  could do was smile warmly.

I recommend that all European leaders be made aware that  there are problems, that you don't solve, once and for all.

That there are divergent problems, by which their very nature defy permanent solutions. That the people living in Greece and their leaders deserve to be treated  with fairness  honesty  and  that their basic human dignity is respected.

If we recognize that human problems can only be lived with, on a day-to-day basis,  perhaps we can keep our sense of humour intact. Perhaps we can keep our creativity  and wonder alive! We face problems on a magnitude unprecedented in human history. and practically all of them are divergent problems. 

" I think what needs to happen is a slightly more innovative solution on how to get rid of that debt",said Vicky Pryce Chief Economic Advisor for the CEBR.

"There are ways of doing it in addition to extending the maturities of debt that Greek has as well as extending the period of grace before which they don't have to pay anything. It can't be beyond the imagination and capabilities of the people involved to sort something out that really sorts the problem out for the Greeks once and for all."  Everybody needs to get a little more iMAginative! I couldn't agree more.

To Find out how Alexis Tsipras used iMA to sell the Euro group on saving Greece  and avoiding chaos  Click here !