Probing the Possibility Paradigm

Posted on October 23, 2023 by Paul Kwiecinski, One of Thousands of Entrepreneurship Coaches on Noomii.

From Problem Solving to Possibilities

Problem-solving is an almost universal paradigm/approach to address issues in business. Behind the concept (sez me…) is the idea that we have created this ideal business system; it addresses a need in the market, and we’ve devised this plan to create and deliver a product/service that fulfills the need, will make us money and provide employment, and will possibly bring us joy and satisfaction in the process.

So as we design and implement the plan, problems come up. Many people think of their jobs as “problem solver”. What is a problem?

Problem prä-bləm, prä-blem
a : an intricate unsettled question
b : A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome.
c : a source of perplexity, distress, or vexation
d : difficulty in understanding or accepting

Problems “shouldn’t be”.

In the planning process we convene, wired with our personal and collective assumptions about “the world”. We may have problems in this process; coming to agreement, having adequate information, conflicting priorities, other problems, etc. Then we implement. Other problems crop up. We didn’t think of some contingencies, we misread the environment, suppliers or partners don’t come through as expected, the game changes (or already changed and we didn’t know it), weather, politics, personnel changes, miscommunications, etc. Now we have problems to solve.

Possibility pɑs·əˈbɪl·ə·t̬i
a : something that can be done or achieved, or that can exist
b : potential or prospective value

The possibility paradigm is a distinct frame of reference in that we understand that it’s all invented, and we can invent and create things that we didn’t think were possible before by conceiving new possibilities and living into those. It’s about context. Context is our personal and collective mindset/frame of reference. We all have one. The cool thing is that we can consciously shift our context and define one that works for creating what we want to manifest. We shift our context by changing internal and external conversations.
Great leaders lead from context.

In their book The Art of Possibility, Rosamund and Benjamin Zander say: “In the measurement world, you set a goal and strive for it. In the universe of possibility, you set the context and let life unfold.”

One ground rule for possibility is that you accept things as they are, present in the “now”. When you accept that things are the way they are, instead of complaining and resisting, you’re in a position to make the best of the situation. You’re allowed visions, dreams and appreciation for your current place. You’re more open to finding solutions or to making the best of the situation in your mind.

Another character of possibility is that it is something that one lives into that is not based or constrained by the past. I had a context that I developed in grade school: “I’m not good at art.” I had data to support it—grades in art classes, comparing myself to others that could draw or paint well, etc. At some point I realized, “I can make whatever I want, and have fun doing it.” Total shift. I had a similar story about writing. I got mediocre grades; doing writing projects was like forced labor; I was trying to imitate others. When I read Richard Brautigan (introduced by a friend) when I was a teenager, I had a similar realization, “You can write whatever you want—I can write whatever I want.” I started writing in journals to amuse myself, and it opened whole worlds of creativity and understanding myself in a new way.

Here are some contrasted features of problem vs. possibility frames of reference:

Problem Orientation Possibility Paradigm
Deficits Strengths
Fixing what’s broken Building on assets
Defense Creation
Based on past Create the future now
Eeyore Pooh
Reactive Proactive
Try to play the music Jamming, improvising
score w/o mistakes
Resistance Acceptance
Scarcity Abundance
Treating illness Generating good health

The possibility paradigm is where true creativity and innovation happen. To “jam” is to improvise music without extensive preparation or predefined arrangements. A jam session is a gathering where musicians collaboratively improvise music that is fun, innovative, in-the-moment, feeds to and from each of the participants, and has an underlying structure that everyone doing it understands. It’s exciting and engaging, and teams can also “jam” together. Creativity is generating and developing ideas, refining them, and adding value with details and synergy. Innovation is translating those ideas and inventions into the real world—products, services, and processes that define the future of your work and business.

Certainly there is a need to have problem solving skills in your business. In our experience most leaders over-use problem thinking and under-use possibility thinking. Ask yourself, “Where am I at as a leader?” [You’re a leader wherever you are…] The next time you have a “problem” come across your desk, ask yourself, “What’s possible here?”