What's the Best Way To....

Inevitably this question pops up in most, if not all, of my workshops. When posed with a facilitated challenge, whether it is touching tiles in sequential order or moving golf balls using only PVC pipe, most groups will ask me "What is the best way of doing this challenge?" Often times they are comparing themselves to other groups and other times, they want to know the most efficient way of completing a task. It makes sense, we go through life completing task after task and all the while wondering to ourselves, is there a better way to do what I am doing? Is there a more efficient way? 

The funny thing is that I will not answer this question for groups any more. Don't get me wrong, it's not that I am avoiding the question but rather there is no simple answer to this question. 

I've learned my lesson and I have told groups in the past the best way that I had seen or thought to complete a challenge in the fastest amount of time only to see the group in front of me not be successful trying another group's method. On the flip side, I have seen group's attempt a challenge and think to myself that there is no way this strategy will work.... only to see the group be successful with their approach! Here's the catch - I was not a member of their group. I did not know the group dynamics, strengths and weaknesses. What I perceived as the best way to take on a challenge for one group did not translate to another group in the same way. The two groups do not have the same dynamics and their inner workings vary. 

What now? Now I ask groups to look inside themselves, take each person's strengths and weaknesses into account and thoughtfully put together a plan for success. I remind them to not overthink the plan, set a time where they can take a step back and reevaluate their plan and make any necessary adjustments and most importantly, compare themselves to themselves and not to others who may have done this activity in the past. They are not you and you are not them. 

How does this translate to work? Give guidance and be cautious when giving instructions. Give the framework and avoid telling someone how to do something. For what works for you may not work for others since no two people are the same. We are a sum of our life experiences, use those experiences (positive or negative) to be successful in all our endeavors.