Seven Wednesdays, Finishing the Year With Intention, Presence, and Beauty

There is something powerful about the number seven. Seven days in a week, seven colors in the rainbow, seven notes in a musical scale. And now, there are seven Wednesdays left before the year comes to a close.

Seven pauses.
Seven recalibrations.
Seven midweek moments to breathe and begin again.

Wednesdays are often overlooked, caught between the hurry of the beginning and the fatigue of the end. 

Funny, Wednesday are actually when I write my Thursday Thoughts.  They have always been a day of heads down, kick into gear, get it done ... 

But, when I looked at my calendar today, I realized we have seven Wednesdays until we are into the New Year.  And, then, I started viewing the next seven Wednesdays as steppingstones into a new year, something shifted. They became checkpoints, invitations, opportunities to realign.

What if these next seven Wednesdays were not just the midpoint of another week, but seven powerful reminders to return to yourself?

Let us explore how you can use each one with intention.

1. Take Them in Your Hand

When we have only a handful of something left, days, conversations, chapters, we tend to hold them with more care and more meaning.

These seven Wednesdays are a gift.

You do not need a new month or a new year to reset. You can decide right now, these Wednesdays will be different.

This is your invitation to step out of autopilot and into awareness.

2. Live Them Differently

Wednesdays can feel like the turning point of the week, where stress accumulates and energy dips. But they can become moments of renewal instead of moments of collapse.

Try shifting your approach:

• Begin each Wednesday with a grounding practice
• Recommit to what matters most for the week
• Release overwhelm and return to what feels true
• Choose one small, meaningful action to realign your direction

When you live differently, even a midweek day becomes extraordinary.

3. Realize How Precious Your Life Is

Life becomes more meaningful when we remember it is finite, not to create fear, but to spark appreciation.

These Wednesdays are not just dates on a calendar.
They are reminders to wake up to your life.

Use them to notice the people you love, appreciate the breath in your lungs, recognize the beauty in your routines, and honor how far you have come.

When you treat time as precious, your days become richer.

4. Magnify the Beautiful Things

Beauty grows where attention goes.

Each Wednesday is a chance to magnify the beautiful things in your life, even if the world feels busy or uncertain.

Try this practice:

• Name three beautiful things
• Celebrate a midweek win
• Acknowledge a moment of joy or connection
• Notice what is working instead of what is not

When you magnify beauty, you shift your inner landscape.

5. Finish the Year Strong, In Your Own Way

Strong does not have to mean pushing harder.

Strong can mean clear boundaries, quiet confidence, thoughtful choices, authentic presence, and rest that restores instead of drains.

Finishing the year strong can be gentle.
It can be intentional.
It can be an act of self-respect instead of self-pressure.

Your Wednesdays can anchor that strength.

6. Focus on Now

Whatever happened earlier this year, whether triumph or heartbreak, is behind you.

These Wednesdays are not about what came before.
They are about what you can shape now.

Each one gives you a fresh opportunity to realign, correct course, and breathe into the present instead of replaying the past.

Presence is your power.

7. Give Yourself a Blank Slate

A blank slate is not something the calendar hands you. It is something you choose.

Let these Wednesdays remind you that you can forgive yourself, release old stories, reset your mindset, reimagine your direction, and welcome new truths and new beauty.

You can color the rest of this year with clarity, intention, and love.
You can choose to make your life beautiful, beginning now.

Make Life Beautiful, Starting With These Wednesdays

Beauty does not appear by accident. It is created through conscious choices, intentional attention, the courage to slow down, and the willingness to see your life differently.

Seven Wednesdays is not a countdown.
It is an invitation.

A chance to end the year with clarity, a chance to reconnect with your soul, a chance to create a softer, truer, and more grounded ending, and a brighter beginning.

Take these Wednesdays in your hand.
Live them fully, live them gently, live them beautifully.

Happy Wednesday <3,

-srt

Harnessing the Power of Mind Mapping: Turning Chaos into Clarity

When I first proposed an incentive program to the manager of our local Sizzler, it didn’t even have a name that I can recall. 

My mom, a teacher at Loomis Grammar School, was searching for a way to encourage good behavior in her classroom. At the same time, I was working as a waitress at Sizzler while taking a business class that required me to create a marketing idea for a business.

It all seemed to align, the school’s need, my class project, and my workplace connection. The only request from the elementary school was a “Caught Ya Being Good” certificate, something small to recognize positive behavior. I thought, Perfect, that’s my project.

But as I began developing the program, I felt there was more potential hiding just beneath the surface. I had one good idea, but what if it could be bigger? What if we could celebrate not just good behavior, but effort, kindness, academics, attendance, leadership, and growth?

That is when I turned to mind mapping. I placed “Incentive Program” in the center of the page and began branching out. From that single “Caught Ya Being Good” idea, six additional certificates emerged, each one representing a different way to recognize and inspire students.

The transformation was remarkable. Teachers had more ways to celebrate their students. Children were motivated by the variety of recognition opportunities. Parents noticed the difference in their kids’ pride and engagement. What started as one certificate became a vibrant, multifaceted system, thanks to the clarity and creativity that mind mapping provided.

The program grew beyond that first classroom. It grew beyond that one store in Auburn, California to Northern California and then more states.  Over time, I created versions for KFC, Taco Bell, A&W, and Sizzler, before eventually deciding to move into corporate America. Looking back, mind mapping gave me the structure and vision to take a simple school idea and expand it into a larger business concept.

Why Mind Mapping Matters

Mind mapping is not just about staying organized. It is about unlocking new possibilities. Instead of keeping ideas trapped in scattered lists, mind mapping mirrors the way our minds naturally connect thoughts.

• Clarity: Breaks complex programs into clear categories

• Creativity: Sparks fresh insights and new directions

• Retention: Combines visuals and words for stronger memory

• Confidence: Turns overwhelm into actionable steps

For professionals, educators, and leaders, mind mapping becomes a bridge between inspiration and implementation.

When to Use Mind Mapping

Mind mapping is powerful in situations where you need both structure and imagination:

• School and Community Programs: Designing initiatives like Sizzler

• Project Planning: Outlining goals, timelines, and responsibilities

• Strategic Thinking: Exploring scenarios before committing to a path

• Brainstorming: Generating content, campaign ideas, or presentations

• Personal Growth: Mapping goals, values, or future vision

Whenever you feel limited by a single idea, or overwhelmed by too many, it is the right time to map it out.

How to Use Mind Mapping

The process is simple and energizing:

1. Start with the Central Idea: Place the main theme (for example, “Incentive Program”) in the center

2. Branch Out: Add main categories like behavior, academics, leadership, teamwork

3. Expand with Details: Build sub branches (specific certificates, logistics, recognition methods)

4. Add Color and Symbols: Highlight priorities and bring energy to the map

5. Refine: Review, expand, and adjust as new ideas surface

My first mind map was on a piece of poster board that I carried all the way to LA to pitch to Sizzler's Head of Marketing.  Nowadays, I recommend digital tools like MindMeister or Miro, mind mapping makes complex planning feel approachable.

The Feminine Edge Vision with Structure

What I love most about mind mapping is how it balances intuition with structure. It is expansive yet organized, creative yet practical. For the Incentive Programs, it allowed me to honor the original idea while expanding it into something bigger and more inspiring, programs that celebrated not just behavior, but character and community.

Closing Thought

The journey from one “Caught Ya Being Good” certificate to a full suite of student recognitions, and later to multiple restaurant brands, is proof of what happens when we give our ideas room to grow.

Mind mapping does not just help us get organized. It helps us see possibilities, spark innovation, and lead with clarity and grace.

Your next great idea may be waiting for you to map it out.

Happy Thursday dreamers,

-srt

P.S. What projects might you use a mind map on?  If you need a place to start, reach out via email or cell and I can help you get going.  

Unlocking Innovation: How SCAMPER Transforms Stalled Ideas

I still remember sitting in a conference room, staring at a whiteboard filled with half-baked concepts for a new platform to capture innovative ideas across the organization. The goal was simple yet ambitious: build a space where creativity could thrive, where every employee, from intern to executive, could share ideas to shape our future.

But the brainstorming session? It was painfully uninspiring.

Every proposal looked predictable. The features mirrored tools we already had, the design lacked spark, and the conversation turned quickly to limitations, budget, time, and technology. The energy drained from the room, and it felt like we were about to create a platform no one would actually use.

That was, until we paused, regrouped and decided the next day to try something different. 

The next day we introduced the SCAMPER technique to the room.  And, let me be clear, it wasn't me ... I had never heard of SCAMPER.  But, someone on our team had and thank heavens they threw the idea out!  

While we received groans and a couple sighs, by noon the team had structure and energy again. Instead of circling the same old ideas, we began asking new questions: What if we substituted the submission process with voice notes? What if we combined recognition with gamification? What if we eliminated barriers like logins altogether?

By the end of the session, our ordinary project had transformed into something extraordinary. The platform vision evolved into a dynamic, engaging hub that truly reflected the innovative spirit we wanted to unleash. That’s the power of SCAMPER.

Why SCAMPER Matters

Innovation rarely happens by accident; it happens when we give ourselves both permission and structure to think differently. SCAMPER matters because:

• It sparks divergent thinking and challenges the status quo.
• It provides a framework for creativity, so teams don’t get stuck in the “blank page” problem.
• It can be applied to products, services, processes, or platforms—any challenge can be reframed with its prompts.
• It levels the playing field, giving every team member, not just the loudest voices, a way to contribute fresh ideas.

SCAMPER is the bridge between “we’ve tried this before” and “what if we tried this differently?”

When to Use SCAMPER

Think of SCAMPER as your secret weapon when ideas stall or need a refresh. Use it:

• At the start of innovation projects to broaden the creative landscape.
• When teams feel stuck in sameness or uninspired.
• To re-energize stalled conversations or overcome creative roadblocks.
• In design thinking workshops or ideation labs.
• Anytime you’re aiming to transform the ordinary into the remarkable.

How to Use SCAMPER

Each letter is a lens to see your challenge differently:

• S – Substitute: What processes, tools, or materials could be replaced?
• C – Combine: What features or functions could we merge?
• A – Adapt: What approaches from other industries could we apply?
• M – Modify (Magnify/Minify): What can we expand, shrink, or simplify?
• P – Put to another use: How else could this platform serve people?
• E – Eliminate: What unnecessary steps or barriers can we remove?
• R – Reverse/Rearrange: What if we flipped the process or reordered the flow?

Start with your core challenge.  In this case, designing an idea-capturing platform. Work systematically through each prompt, capturing every possibility without judgment. Evaluation comes later; the goal is exploration.

Inspiration for Leaders

As leaders, it’s easy to feel the pressure to have all the answers. But true innovation doesn’t emerge from lone genius, it comes from collective creativity. SCAMPER equips you to lead those conversations with clarity and confidence.

It’s not about inventing something entirely new, it’s about reimagining what’s already possible. SCAMPER asks us to look at the same challenge with fresh eyes and bold curiosity.

When you bring SCAMPER into your projects, you do more than brainstorm. You ignite a culture of possibility. And in that space, ideas that once felt impossible begin to take shape.

Happy Thursday dreamers,

-srt

Tell me … what challenge in your work right now could benefit from being seen through the SCAMPER lens and how can Rea Coaching and Consulting assist? 

The Power of a Stakeholder Analysis Matrix

I’ll never forget the enterprise technology policy republish that nearly unraveled before it even began.

We had the vision, the funding, and the mandate. But what we didn’t have was alignment. Meetings ran in circles, decisions were questioned after the fact, and resistance bubbled up in places we didn’t expect. The project timeline slipped, not because of technology issues, but because we hadn’t taken the time to fully understand and engage the people most impacted.

It wasn’t until we paused and built out a Stakeholder Analysis Matrix to accompany the RACI that the fog lifted. Suddenly, we could see who needed to be kept closely engaged, who simply needed updates, and who might quietly derail the effort if ignored. With clarity came focus, and with focus came progress.

That project taught me one of the most important lessons in leadership: technology doesn’t fail people, people fail technology when we don’t bring them along.

Why Use a Stakeholder Analysis Matrix?

Projects don’t exist in a vacuum; they live in human systems. A stakeholder analysis matrix helps you:

• Anticipate resistance and build support. You’ll see where concerns may surface and address them proactively.
• Clarify roles and communication needs. Not everyone requires the same level of detail or frequency of updates.
• Prioritize wisely. Energy is finite—direct it toward the voices and influencers that matter most.
• Build trust. Transparency and inclusion reduce the “surprise factor” that often breeds opposition.

At its heart, stakeholder analysis is about managing relationships and expectations, not just lists and grids

When to Use It

Think of stakeholder analysis as a living document, not a one-time exercise. Key moments include:

• At the very beginning of a project, during planning.
• When embarking on a major change initiative.
• Any time conditions shift or new players enter the scene.

If you wait until problems arise, you’re already playing catch-up.

How to Use the Matrix

The process is simple but powerful:

1. Identify stakeholders. Who has an interest in, or influence over, your project? Think beyond the obvious.
2. Analyze influence and interest. Place stakeholders on the Influence/Interest Grid:
• High Power / High Interest → Manage Closely
• High Power / Low Interest → Keep Satisfied
• Low Power / High Interest → Keep Informed
• Low Power / Low Interest → Monitor
3. Engage and communicate. Tailor strategies to each quadrant. Ask yourself:
• What are their motivations and concerns?
• What support or information do they need?
• How can trust be built if they resist?

And then, update it regularly. Because relationships shift as quickly as policies do.

Inspiration for Leaders

If you’re leading change, whether in technology, business, or community life, remember this: your success is tied not only to the brilliance of your solution, but to the hearts and minds you carry with you.

A stakeholder analysis matrix isn’t just a project management tool; it’s a leadership mindset. It’s about seeing people clearly, respecting their influence, and creating pathways for partnership.

When you do, projects move from resistance to momentum, from chaos to clarity.

Happy Thursday all,

-srt

P.S. Share in the comments or DM what project are you working on right now that could benefit from mapping your stakeholders?  And, how can Rea Coaching and Consulting help you?

Empathy Maps: What They Are and When to Use Them

Last year, I facilitated a workshop with a group of professionals who came from very different backgrounds. Some were deeply rooted in their faith traditions, others described themselves as spiritual but not religious, and a few identified as secular. 

As the conversation opened, tension was present in the room. People were polite, but you could feel the undercurrent of difference.

Rather than dive into debate or encourage people to “agree to disagree,” I used the example of faith / religion to introduce the concept of an empathy map.  It could not have gone any better and I have used the same example to teach empathy maps ever since. 

Before I get into the example, let me set the stage for empathy mapping. 

Empathy maps were first introduced around 2010 by Dave Gray, the founder of XPLANE, as part of design thinking and visual collaboration. He included the tool in his book Gamestorming. Since then, empathy maps have been used widely in design, product development, business strategy, and education. They exist because people needed a simple and visual way to understand others more deeply.

When we want to solve problems, design solutions, or connect with others, it’s easy to get stuck in our own perspective. We make assumptions, fill in the blanks with guesses, and rush into solutions. That’s where an empathy map becomes powerful because it slows us down and helps us see through someone else’s eyes.

What is an Empathy Map?

An empathy map is a simple, visual framework that organizes what we know about a person, whether a customer, stakeholder, or teammate. It’s usually divided into four main sections:

• Says – What the person openly shares.

• Thinks – What is on their mind but may remain unspoken.

• Feels – The emotions driving their experiences.

• Does – The behaviors and actions we observe.

Many versions also include Pains (frustrations, obstacles) and Gains (motivations, desires). Together, these elements create a holistic snapshot of the human experience.

Why Use an Empathy Map?

Empathy maps bring clarity and alignment. They:

• Help us move beyond assumptions and focus on real insights.

• Build shared understanding within teams so everyone sees the problem the same way.

• Encourage us to humanize data—numbers and surveys transform into stories and lived experiences.

• Provide a foundation for better solutions, whether in business, education, healthcare, or leadership.

When Are Empathy Maps Best Used?

Empathy maps shine when you need to deepen understanding before acting. Some key times include:

1. At the start of a project – to build a shared picture of the people you’re designing or planning for.

2. During research – to organize insights from interviews, surveys, or observations.

3. When a problem keeps repeating – to uncover hidden needs or frustrations that numbers alone won’t show.

4. In conflict resolution – to step into another person’s shoes and see the issue from their perspective.

5. In marketing or communication – to align messages with what people actually care about, not just what you want to say.

Now back to my example...

Mapping Perspectives Instead of Positions

I asked the group to choose one person’s story to map. We listened to a participant describe how their faith gave them strength during difficult times. On the surface, that could have sparked disagreement from others who did not share the same beliefs. But the empathy map shifted the focus.

• Says: “My faith helps me stay hopeful when things are uncertain.”

• Thinks: “I sometimes wonder if others understand how important this is to me.”

• Feels: A mix of gratitude and vulnerability.

• Does: Attends services regularly, volunteers in the community, leans on prayer during challenges.

As the group filled in the sections, something powerful happened. The discussion wasn’t about whether faith was “right” or “wrong.” It was about understanding the lived experience of one human being.

What We Discovered Together

Once the map was complete, I asked the group: “What patterns do you see?”

The answers were eye-opening:

• “I may not share the same belief system, but I know what it feels like to want strength in hard times.”

• “I can relate to wanting community support, even if I find it elsewhere.”

• “The need for hope and belonging seems universal.”

The empathy map had done its work. Instead of a room divided by belief, we found common ground in shared human needs.

When Empathy Maps Are Most Powerful

That workshop reminded me why empathy maps are so effective: they help us step past categories and labels, and into the deeper layers of what people truly think, feel, and value. They are best used when:

• You are navigating differences in values or beliefs.

• You want to reduce conflict by focusing on understanding rather than persuasion.

• You need to build connection across diversity—whether in teams, classrooms, communities, or families.

Wrap Up

Empathy maps are not the solution themselves, but they sharpen our vision. They reveal the human stories behind the data and guide us toward solutions that truly address real needs. More importantly, they create a respectful space where people can be seen and heard. While our beliefs and perspectives may differ, empathy maps remind us that we are often united by deeper needs for belonging, purpose, and understanding.

If you want to lead, innovate, or simply connect more deeply, start by mapping empathy.

Happy Thursday all,

-srt

P.S. If you’d like guidance in using tools like empathy maps to improve communication, leadership, or team collaboration, I’d be happy to support you through Rea Coaching & Consulting.

Stop the Chaos, Start Connecting

Everywhere we look, it feels like the world is shouting. The news screams, social media argues, and neighbors divide over things that used to feel small. We’re living in a time when anger spreads faster than facts and connection feels harder to find.

But here’s the truth: we can stop the chaos if we choose connection over division.

Somewhere along the way, we became quick to blame instead of understand. We rush to sue, shout, or shame instead of solve. We misdirect our rage toward one another when most of us are just trying to get by. And we pour that frustration into social media posts that only deepen the divide, when what we really need is conversation, compassion, and partnership.

We don’t have to agree on everything to care about each other. We don’t have to share the same background, vote the same way, or see the world through the same lens to build something better together. What we do need is the courage to slow down, listen, and see the human being across from us.

It starts in small, powerful ways:

• Ask a genuine question instead of assuming the worst.
• Choose a conversation over a comment thread.
• Spend more time with people who don’t think like you, but who want the same things at heart: safety, belonging, hope, and purpose.

The truth is, most of us want the same outcome, we just differ on how to get there. When we step back from the noise and lean into listening, we begin to remember that we are more alike than we are different.

Toxic division thrives on fear. Connection thrives on curiosity, compassion, and courage. One builds walls. The other builds bridges.

So maybe the change we need won’t come from a headline or a hashtag. Maybe it starts at our own dinner tables, in our neighborhoods, our classrooms, and our workplaces, one honest conversation at a time.

Let’s be the generation that quiets the noise and chooses empathy over outrage. The world doesn’t need more chaos. It needs more connection, and it starts with us.

Happy Thursday lovelies  Its rough out there.  Be kind to one another.  

-srt

Losing Patience at the Happiest Place on the Planet

It was a long, buzzing day at Disneyland, the kind where rides, lines, and crowds stretch the limits of anyone’s endurance. I was there with a group of foster children participating in a sibling reunification event.  

I was assigned to a young foster child, a boy with sharp at the edges and still figuring out how to belong in the world. After one especially questionable decision, I decided to try something different.  I exaggeratedly patted my pocket, as if searching for something important. I dug around deeper and deeper, my expression growing serious. “I have something for you,” I said, drawing out the moment and making him curious about what I could possibly be hiding.

Finally, I pulled my hand out, did my best attempt to pick at imaginary lint, but then landed it in front of him open, empty.
“This, minus the lint,” I said, “is all the patience I have left. I am giving it to you.”

He looked at my hand with a mix of confusion and disbelief. Then, with a sly grin, he plucked the invisible patience from my palm. Without hesitation, he threw it on the ground, stomped on it, and ground it deep into the dirt with the heel of his shoe.

I did not flinch. “That patience was important to me and, if you aren't going to use it I would like it back” I told him calmly. “You need to pick it back up, even the pieces stuck to your shoe.”

He gave me a look of pure bewilderment, the kind that said this woman is completely crazy.  But after seeing my "I am waiting" face, he crouched down and carefully picked up the invisible patience, even pretending to dig a few stubborn bits out of his sneaker tread. When he stood, he held it out to me, mangled and squished in his hand.

I smiled and said softly, “Just hold it for a few minutes. It will start to feel better. Patience just needs calm to heal, to regrow and regroup.”

For the first time that day, he was still. He cupped the invisible patience gently, then began to pet it with one finger. In a normal, quiet voice, a voice that carried more tenderness than defiance, he whispered to it, “You are getting better. I think you are okay now.”  He then looked at me and smile.  I could not help but smile back.

Something changed after that. He stayed close to me for the rest of the day. Maybe it was because of the invisible patience we were nursing back to health, or maybe it was the fact that I was blasting the KPOP Demon Hunter soundtrack, turning our walk through the park into an epic adventure. To me, it felt like we were not just walking through Disneyland, we were on a quest, protecting something fragile and good.

On the train, he lifted patience up to see the view. In quieter moments, he stroked it and whispered to it again. Somewhere between the rides and the laughter, the invisible patience became something real, a reminder that calm, kindness, and connection can grow even in the most unexpected places.

When the day began to wind down and the buses pulled up before dark, he turned to me and held out his hand.
“Do you want your patience back?” he said.

I shook my head. “No. I think you might need it this week. Be kind to it.”

He nodded solemnly, tucked the invisible patience into his pocket, and held out his fist. I met it with mine.

“I think you are amazing and smart,” I told him. “And I hope you always choose to be kind. Take care of patience.”

He did not say much, but the way he walked away, patience safe in his pocket, said enough.

Five Lessons I Learned from That Moment

1. Patience can be shared, even when it feels invisible.
Sometimes the best gift we can offer is not advice or correction, but a moment of calm presence that invites someone else to join us there.

2. Playfulness can open doors where lectures cannot.
That day, imagination created a bridge between us. The silliness made space for sincerity.

3. Healing often starts in quiet.
When he held that patience still, the calm that followed was not pretend. It was real. Sometimes we all just need a minute to hold still and let things regroup.

4. Connection changes behavior more than correction does.
Once he felt seen and safe, he wanted to stay close. Relationship, not rules, is what shifts hearts.

5. The things we teach often become the things we need.
As I asked him to care for patience, I realized I was reminding myself to do the same, to be gentle, to breathe, and to carry patience forward, even when it feels worn and invisible.

Reflection

So many things I leave unwritten in this post, but that day reminded me that patience is not a thing we simply have; it is something we practice, protect, and sometimes lend to others. In leadership, in parenting, in mentoring, or in life, patience is an act of generosity that allows space for growth and grace. The boy may have walked away with invisible patience in his pocket, but I walked away with something too ... a deeper understanding that the normalest, most creative moments of connection can plant seeds that grow long after the day is done.

Happy Thursday all.  Be kind to one another.

-srt

The 7 Problem Solving Steps Every Leader Should Know

Problems are part of life and leadership. Some are small, like running out of coffee before a meeting, and others are big, like project delays, budget cuts, or conflicting stakeholder priorities. What separates effective leaders from overwhelmed ones is a systematic approach to solving problems.

Here is a practical 7 step process that will help you move from confusion to clarity.

1. Identify the Issue

The first step is simple but essential: name the problem clearly. Many teams waste time treating symptoms instead of addressing the real issue. For example, if a project keeps missing deadlines, the problem is not late work. It might be unrealistic timelines or unclear priorities.

Leadership Lesson: If you cannot explain the problem in one sentence, you do not fully understand it yet.

Tools to Use:  Problem Statement Template, 5 Whys Analysis

2. Understand Everyone’s Interests

Behind every problem are people with different perspectives, needs, and priorities. Understanding these interests helps you design solutions that work for everyone involved.

Leadership Lesson: Listen carefully. Ask questions. The more you know about what people need, the better your solutions will be.

Tools to Use: Stakeholder Analysis Matrix, Empathy Map

3. List the Possible Solutions (Options)

Brainstorm as many options as possible without filtering too soon. Sometimes the most unconventional idea sparks the best outcome.

Leadership Lesson: Encourage creativity. Separate generating ideas from evaluating them.

Tools to Use: Brainstorming, Mind Mapping, SCAMPER Technique

4. Evaluate the Options

Once you have a list, weigh the pros and cons of each option. Consider feasibility, cost, timing, risks, and long term impact.

Leadership Lesson: Be thorough. A quick fix may not solve the deeper issue.

Tools to Use: SWOT Analysis, Decision Matrix, Cost Benefit Analysis

5. Select an Option (or Options)

Decision time. Pick the option or combination that best addresses the problem and aligns with your goals.

Leadership Lesson: Involve key stakeholders in the choice. Commitment to the solution increases when people are part of the decision.

Tools to Use: Multi Criteria Decision Analysis, Voting Techniques, Delphi Method

6. Document the Agreement

Clarity prevents confusion. Writing down the decision ensures everyone knows what was agreed on, who is responsible, and what the next steps are.

Leadership Lesson: If it is not documented, it did not happen. Documentation builds accountability and shared understanding.

Tools to Use: Action Plan Template, RACI Chart, Meeting Minutes

7. Agree on Contingencies, Monitoring, and Evaluation

No plan is perfect. Build in checkpoints, monitoring, and a process for making adjustments if things do not go as expected.

Leadership Lesson: Follow up is where many problem-solving efforts fail. Continuous review ensures solutions stick.

Tools to Use: KPI Dashboard, Risk Register, After Action Review

Bottom Line:

Problem solving is not about having all the answers. It is about having a clear process. By following these seven steps, you will move from reacting to challenges in frustration to responding with clarity and confidence.

Next time you face a tough problem, whether it is a stalled project, a difficult decision, or even just an empty coffee pot, remember that problems are opportunities to lead.

Happy Thursday,

-srt 

P.S. Before you panic because you don't know how to use the tools above, never fear.  I got your back.  Starting next week, I will introduce each so that you can execute like a pro.  

From Certainty to Curiosity: How We Unlock Innovation and Connection

Now that I am retired, I give myself 30 minutes on Thursday mornings to read through LinkedIn and catch up on the lives and work of my professional friends.

One dear friend has been digging deeply into the Torah and writing about her learnings. Miriam is a Jewish scholar, and her posts always compel me to reflect and ponder.

Last week, she ended her post with a question that stayed with me:

“What would it look like if we approached difficult questions with curiosity instead of certainty?”

It is a question I have been asking for the past year and one that I often bring into my coaching engagements.

So, let’s begin with why curiosity matters. Then, I’ll share a few frameworks you can use to cultivate curiosity and spark innovation in your own life, community, nonprofit, or profession. 

Why Curiosity Matters

Certainty can make us feel safe, but it often builds walls. Curiosity, however, builds bridges. It allows us to sit in complexity, to listen more deeply, and to move toward understanding instead of division.

• In our personal lives, curiosity helps us pause before reacting and ask what someone else might be experiencing.
• In communities, it creates common ground even when values diverge.
• In nonprofits, curiosity reframes obstacles as opportunities for creativity.
• In education, it teaches students that questions themselves are powerful tools for growth.

Curiosity does not undermine expertise. Instead, it enriches our wisdom with openness, empathy, and humility.

Frameworks That Encourage Curiosity and Innovation

If we want to move from certainty to curiosity, we need practical ways to practice it. 

Here are five frameworks that I have used in my life, professional and personal, that you can use to guide you:

1. Beginner’s Mind

Drawn from Zen philosophy, shoshin invites us to approach each situation as if we are seeing it for the first time.

• Ask: What is possible here that I have not considered?
• Ask: What might someone with a different perspective notice?

Application: Invite new voices into discussions. Fresh eyes often see what experts miss.

2. Appreciative Inquiry

Instead of asking, “What is broken?” Appreciative Inquiry asks:

• What is working well?
• What gives life to this system, team, or community?
• How might we build on these strengths?

Application: Nonprofits can reframe scarcity into innovation by focusing on where creativity is already thriving.

3. The 5 Whys

By asking “Why?” five times, we move beyond surface answers and discover root causes.

Application: An educator might ask why a student is disengaged, peeling back assumptions until they uncover real needs.

4. Design Thinking

This problem-solving process centers curiosity and empathy:

1. Empathize
2. Define
3. Ideate
4. Prototype
5. Test

Application: A nonprofit can co-create solutions by involving the community it serves in every stage of the design.

5. The “Yes, And” Mindset

Borrowed from improv, “Yes, And” builds on ideas rather than shutting them down.

Application: In team brainstorming, replace “Yes, but…” with “Yes, and…” to expand creativity and inclusion.

Creating a Culture of Curiosity

Curiosity flourishes where it is safe to wonder, safe to question, and even safe to fail. Leaders, educators, and changemakers can cultivate this by:

• Admitting when they do not know.
• Rewarding questions as much as answers.
• Creating space for reflection, not just execution.
• Practicing empathy and seeking first to understand.

The Invitation

As Miriam’s post reminded me, the divides in our communities, workplaces, and world will not be bridged by doubling down on certainty. They will be bridged when we step into dialogue with curiosity.

Certainty builds walls. Curiosity builds bridges. And on those bridges, transformation, innovation, and hope are born.

So the next time you face a difficult question, pause. Instead of rushing to certainty, lean into curiosity. That is where change begins.

Wrap Up

So, I will end where I began .... with Miriam's question:

Where in your life, community, nonprofit, or profession can you replace certainty with curiosity this week?

Happy Thursday all,

-srt

P.S. How can I help?  In my coaching and consulting work, I help leaders and teams move from certainty to curiosity. Together, we create cultures where asking better questions unlocks innovation, deepens trust, and builds stronger connections.

If you or your team are ready to embrace curiosity as a catalyst for growth, I would love to partner with you. Let’s explore how we can shift conversations, bridge divides, and spark new possibilities.

When an Emmy Led Me Somewhere I Did Not Expect

The other night I watched a young man, Owen Cooper, walk across the Emmy stage to accept an award for his role in Adolescence. I had not seen the show but the way the crowd reacted made me curious. Curiosity can be a gift but sometimes it takes you places you do not expect.

I pressed play on Adolescence and from the very first scene I was uncomfortable. The tone was raw, unfiltered, and unapologetically masculine in ways that felt jarring. By the time I reached the end I realized my discomfort was not just about the acting or the story. It was about the world the show was pointing toward. At that point I still could not name it.

It was only later that I learned more about what I had stumbled into: the manosphere and incel culture. Before this I honestly had no idea these communities even existed. What I discovered is a cluster of online spaces built around ideas of masculinity, power, and gender dynamics. It is a world where certain beliefs are reinforced through repetition, memes, and yes emojis.

I had always thought emojis were playful add ons to texts: a smiley face to soften a sentence, a heart to show appreciation, a flame to hype up a friend. But inside the manosphere and incel forums emojis become something else entirely. They are signals, shorthand for beliefs, and sometimes weapons of mockery.

Here are some of the most common ones:

• 💪 does not just mean strength, it stands for alpha masculinity.
• 🟥 is not just a red square, it is the red pill, a badge of awakening to the so called truth about women.
• 🔵 is the blue pill, used to mock anyone who is seen as naïve or brainwashed.
• 🤡 is shorthand for clown world, a dismissal of feminism or social progress as ridiculous.
• 👑 instead of admiration is often used sarcastically, as if to say all women think they are queens.
• 🚩 does not just mean warning, it gets slapped on almost anything women do that men in these groups dislike.
• 🐍 is used to paint women as deceptive or untrustworthy.
• 🐒 is shorthand for branch swinging, the idea that women move from man to man without loyalty.
• 🍆💦 goes from a silly symbol for flirting to a crude brag about sexual conquest.
• 💅 becomes a way to mock women as vain or shallow.
• 💀 is especially common in incel spaces, used to express despair, nihilism, or even hopelessness about life and relationships.
• 🪦 pushes it further, a tombstone symbol used when fatalism or self hatred takes over.
• 💯🔥80/20 references the belief that 80 percent of women are attracted to the top 20 percent of men, often paired with symbols of strength or sexual appeal.

What struck me most is how these communities take something as universal as emojis, symbols meant to connect us, and twist them into coded language that reinforces division.

Watching Adolescence felt like peeking behind a curtain. It showed me not just a performance worthy of an Emmy but an unsettling mirror of a culture I did not know enough about. By the time I finished I realized that my initial discomfort was the point. The show, intentionally or not, pushed me into a conversation I had been only vaguely aware of.

And here is the thing: once you see it you cannot unsee it. Emojis, television scripts, social media posts, they are not just harmless background noise. They are often part of a larger language, one that reveals how people see themselves and others.

I started with curiosity about a performance. I ended with curiosity about a subculture. And now I am left with the reminder that stories, whether told on a stage, a screen, or in a string of emojis, always mean more than they seem at first glance. For parents especially, this is a reminder to pay attention to the digital worlds your kids move through, because sometimes what looks like a harmless symbol is actually carrying a much heavier message. That awareness matters, because the same coded language that fuels online bonding can also fuel online bullying and harassment.

More than anything, I see this as a cautionary tale. The manosphere and its darker corners like incel culture are not just abstract internet trends, they can have devastating consequences for impressionable young men and for the families who love them. Recognizing the signs early and talking openly about them is one of the most important ways we can help protect the next generation.

Uncomfortable Thursday all,

-srt