Optimistic individuals or organisations must solve a problem and make a change.
Change can be made incrementally and continuously or in a transformational way which involves discarding the existing methodology or solution and implementing something new.
The grounds for optimism are derived from solving the problem and making the necessary change.
A group of people in the same area can contribute more than an individual.
The process starts with identifying a problem and then solving the problem.
Making change and improving quality in an organisation needs to be part of company culture. The change process is continuous and ongoing.
Continuous improvement is part of company culture and a scientific approach. It is a way of thinking. Coming up with hypotheses and methods for improving processes requires a scientific mindset or an ability to know what needs fixing and work through a problem-solving approach to achieve the required outcomes.
Optimistic mindsets want to solve problems. Even if the knowledge does not exist now, it can be learned or developed.
Problem-solving capability can be enhanced if the problem is not approached as an expert but as an explorer.
Problem-solving techniques such as agile process, agile teams and scrums used to be only found in software and technology development. Gradually their problem-solving mechanisms have moved into mainstream business. Agile is now a ubiquitous methodology in most aspects of business for problem-solving and business change.
Problem-solving capability can be enhanced if the problem is not approached as an expert but as an explorer. What is going on? What is working well, and what needs improvement? The environment is dynamic. There are new pieces of information and needs arising all the time.
Emerging leaders are open about the fact that they do not know everything. They are here to find out and solve problems as a part of a group.
Having skills in a process allows the individual or group to acquire knowledge and apply it to solve a problem. The scientific method is a proven process for solving problems.
The diminishing returns phase is reached at some stage where change and problem-solving do not give the desired improvements. Some things cannot be fixed. Needs change, technology changes, and this is when transformative change is required. It can take a lot of courage to make a transformative change.
Willingness and the ability to solve problems determine who can change the most and remain optimistic. Part of the required skills is the ability to think ahead. Starting processes and planning ahead of time keeps the ideas and change implementation occurring promptly.
The input is believing in the problem-solving capability, working with the right people and having a methodology for addressing the issues.
Optimism is the outcome.
Humans, driven by optimism and applying the correct level of resourcing, have solved endless problems which have improved the quality of life on earth and beyond.
