| A recent study published by the Academy of Management Journal revealed that replacing the word “should” with “could” generates better solutions and a lot more of them.
“Should” implies you have only two choices: this or that “Should” feels like we have to “Should” is like shaking The Magic 8 Ball for an answer “Should” feels constraining When faced with necessary, unavoidable decisions and dilemmas, we often wonder, “What should I do?” But researchers discovered that asking “what could I do?” sparks insight, innovation, and ideas. For example, while working at a law firm on a significant transaction, I received a job offer to join a start-up as its corporate counsel. It was a great opportunity, but I felt strongly that leaving would burden my partners at the firm. So, I began ruminating, “What should I do? Stay or go?” But then a friend lightly challenged, “What could you do?” Suddenly, I was creating ideas instead of debating the pros and cons of only two alternatives. When I shared with my partners my intention to accept the new job opportunity, I proposed that I work at night and on the weekends for a month to finish their important transaction. They were delighted because their client was delighted. And in the process, I made a few extra dollars. The researchers explained: “…considering what one could do shifts people from analyzing and weighing what they assume to be fixed and mutually exclusive alternatives to generating options that might reconcile underlying imperatives. “Having a could mindset helps individuals engage in divergent thinking. “In group contexts, we find that adopting a could mindset encouraged individuals to spend more time discussing these dilemmas and generating more ideas.” Mentors! When your mentees face a quandary, they might ask you, “What should I do?” or, “What would you do?” If you respond with “What could you do?” you’ll encourage an exploration of options. A simple word swap to shift the mindset and spark possibilities! © 2023. Ann Tardy and MentorLead. www.mentorlead.com. All Rights Reserved. |