For decades, I’ve applied a “Lazy Susan Solution” approach in both personal and professional settings. It’s particularly useful when disagreements obstruct progress towards resolution – when an issue becomes so central that moving forward seems impossible. Developing this Lazy Susan Solution leads to engagement and resolution.
The goal in many situations is to find common ground. By focusing our attention, we can create a safe space for everyone to be fully present and share their thoughts, opinions, and feelings openly. As I’ve often told my children, it’s crucial to place the ‘issue’ at the center of the discussion. Just as you place something on a Lazy Susan, this allows us, as a family or team, to surround the problem with our collective mental resources. The key is: No Sides!
Introspection Habits play a vital role in this process. Introspection helps us evaluate and challenge our assumptions about the issue at hand. We ask ourselves: Is this approach working for me? For us? Can everyone agree? What does success look like in this situation?
Regardless of the specific issue, we can all agree on one thing: the current situation is uncomfortable. By working together to compromise and contribute ideas, we value everyone’s input. This collaborative approach helps ease the discomfort and enables us to solve the issue more effectively.
This method fosters a collective problem-solving mindset, turning potential conflicts into opportunities for growth and shared success.
