Strategy 1: Don t Have Time? Try the 30-Minute Miracle

Overview

If you haven't had the time you think you need to solve tough issues with your team, take a deep breath and exhale. Even if you're gripped by fear and you and your group are in the critical red zone, there is a way back into the black. In just thirty minutes (large groups may need a bit more time), you can take hold of just about any issue and produce the creative results you seek.

You must use the thirty minutes wisely, however. Fast action can create a lot of heat but little light. Unfocused speed can distract you from the real issue to the consequences of not getting the issue resolved. This, in turn, triggers fear, which steals time from dealing with the real issue and stands in the way of achieving great results.

"Decision making around here is like a pinball game," complained Lynne, the sales and marketing manager for a start-up company's new graphics product. "We bounce from one decision to another. Our company managers pride themselves on how fast they decide issues. Unfortunately, our team doesn't take the time to sort through what's really happening and how we can thoughtfully respond. So, our quick decisions lead to many hours wasted on false starts, dead ends, and painful regrouping."

When time is short, a speedy way to real results is to concentrate on what you truly want to accomplish, then reframe the issue, and discover new options. You can work miracles in a small amount of time by staying focused on your hopes and taking fast but focused action.