Navigating Difficult Situations: Strategies for Constructive and Collaborative Problem-Solving

"We're lost!..." I shouted after staring at the map with disbelief.

My husband and I had just spent the most magical day at a remote beach in Puerto Rico called "Playa Escondida."

We walked through long pathways of dense mangle, wondering how far the beach was. After about half an hour, the path cleared, and there it was! What a jaw-dropping view.

We spent a few hours laughing, swimming, and drinking beer. Then, we headed back.

Overconfidently, we walked back while deep in conversation -noticing only a playful white butterfly that seemed not to want to leave us.

"Is she trying to tell us something?" I said.

Suddenly, the path turned dark and complex. What seemed like an effortless journey before was now starting to look like a scene from "Survivor." The hills were increasingly steep, and I didn't remember passing by any of what I was seeing.

That's when I decided to look at the map, and... do you know how I knew we were lost?... Because the dot showing our location was entirely outside of the beach path.

Meaning that spot in the mountains wasn't even on the map.

For a minute, I froze in fear while my eyes grew bigger, looking at my husband. We were running out of water, and the night had started to set.

That's when it dawned on me that we were in a foreign country, lost in the mountains. I didn't know if I should feel like a fool or start to panic.

During that long minute, dark images passed through my mind. Looking at my husband in terror, I stated the obvious, with tears coming to my eyes.

Just when I was about to start crying, a rush of clarity surprised me.

I had to stay calm if I was to find my way out.

I took a deep breath, and looking at each other, we made a silent bow of "We got this."

He took my bag from me, gave me the little water left, and we decided to continue walking in that direction -wherever it led.

Focused only on putting one foot in front of the other, filled with nothing but faith, we eventually heard the sounds of passing cars, which told me we were going in the right direction.

Finally, we saw a clearing and a tiny piece of land leading us back to civilization.

We were exhausted but thankful to have found a way out.

But do you know what we were even more grateful for? Each other.

Not once did we point the finger at the other or complain. We focused on moving forward to get out of the situation, and that was that.

Why am I telling you this story?...

Because -in both my personal and professional life- I realize how much time I spent blaming others for their "mess ups."

It was precious time I could have spent looking for creative solutions, and it would have significantly improved my relationships with my teammates, reducing everyone's stress.

Solving complex issues at the office isn't usually a matter of life and death -like us being lost in the mountains. However, how we respond to challenges speaks not only of our character as leaders but of the speed at which we'll resolve said situation.

Here are five things you can do to approach complex issues more constructively and collaboratively:

1. Active Listening:

• Listen attentively to all parties involved, ensuring they feel heard and understood.
• Ask open-ended questions to encourage others to share their perspectives and concerns. Give a clear impression that their thoughts matter.
• Avoid interrupting or passing judgment prematurely. Gather all the data first.

2. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence:

• Recognize and validate the emotions of those involved. While business decisions aren't usually made based on emotions, validating the sensitivity of our human experience can make others appeal to reason much faster.
• Manage your emotions effectively to stay calm and composed. Creativity and ingenuity go out the window when we give in to fear and worry.

3. Problem-Solving Mindset:

• Frame the situation as a problem to be solved collectively rather than a conflict to be won. Engage everyone in the solution.
• Encourage brainstorming and creative thinking to explore various solutions. This is where variety in thinking styles becomes a positive.
• Collaboratively analyze the pros and cons of different options. Stay factual, but be open to looking from all angles.

4. Conflict Resolution Skills:

• Mediate disputes by facilitating constructive conversations and finding common ground. Conflict is a great team asset -when used constructively.
• Encourage open and respectful communication among team members. Welcome disagreement.
• Be willing to make compromises and help others do the same.

5. Clear Communication:

• Clearly communicate your expectations, goals, and the desired outcomes of the situation.
• Provide regular updates and feedback to keep everyone informed, making them feel valuable.
• Foster an environment where honest and transparent communication is encouraged. It will pay off big!

Remember that difficult situations often require patience and persistence.

As a leader, your role is to guide the team toward a resolution that benefits everyone involved, and these strategies can help you achieve that goal.

I invite you to "get out of the mountains," looking back at your choices with pride and inspiration.