Untangling the Knot

A message from Terry: When we were youngsters, one of the major milestones that separated being a “little kid” from being a “big kid” was learning how to tie our shoes.

Think back to those early days. How old were you, when you learned? See if you can remember who taught you. How did they explain the mysterious process? (I seem to recall being told to make the rabbit run around the tree and dive into the hole. Small wonder that I was confused!)

In time, one way or another, we figure it out. Eventually, the shoes go on the right feet, the laces get tied, and they even stay tied. Victory!

Then comes the next step in the process – untying the laces. On a good day, a quick tug on the ends is all it takes. But sometimes, for no reason that we can put our finger on, we tug at the ends and get…a knot. Faced with a knot in your laces, would you:

• Tug harder?
• Kick the shoe off and leave the knot for later?
• Pick at the knot?

The approach we take with a troublesome knot may also be the approach we take with a troublesome problem. No matter how well organized the daily schedule and division of events in your office may be, you will eventually encounter an occasional unexpected ‘knot.’ When you do, it’s best to have a plan.

• The “Tug” Technique: When we’re frustrated, it’s tempting to resort to force, pushing back at the problem that resists us. But the chances are good that it will only draw the knot tighter!
• The “Leave It For Later” Technique: One time out of ten (or twenty!), benign neglect may actually help to solve a problem. More often, however, walking away from the problem only gives it a chance to thrive and grow while our back is turned!
• The “Pick It Apart” Technique: This approach demands patience and persistence, but it’s nearly always the one that pays off, in the end. And while we’re picking at the knot, we have the chance to analyze it, and perhaps even figure out how it happened in the first place, and how to avoid repeating the mistake.

What knotty problem have you faced, lately? What technique did you use on it and how did it work? Can you use it to untangle other knots?