I often work with groups who know where they want to go, have some good ideas on how to get there, but they are blocked.
When I ask why they can’t achieve the results they envision, they tell me things like:
–We lack resources.
–We lack funding.
–There’s a lack of organizational support.
Listing all the “lacks” almost never helps groups move toward their goal. All you can do when you have “lack of” is “get some.”
Instead of listingwhat you don’t have, describe what is – the attitudes, behaviors, structures, processes, etc that exist and are blocking you from achieving what you want.
Here’s a list of words I use to stimulate thinking about “what is” rather than what’s missing.
Outdated
Fragmented
Overlapping
Uncoordinated
Unrealistic
Reluctant
Disjointed
Confusing
Excessive
Unbalanced
Conflicting
Unclear
Restricted
Neglected
Obsolete
Pervasive
Misused
Extensive.
“Lack of funds” might become “Unrealistic funding for the current project”
“Lack of organizational support” might become “Conflicting priorities,” or “Overlapping sphere of control.”
Working through unrealistic funding for the current project, conflicting priorities and overlapping spheres of control aren’t a piece of cake to deal with. But it’s easier than trying to get some funding or whip up some organizational support.
