The Jigsaw Puzzle

Based on Facebook postings, we are not  the only household that has a tradition of doing a jigsaw puzzle during the holidays.     It's a great opportunity to spend quiet, quality time with friends and family. . .and it also provides great parallels to solving the puzzles of teamwork.

Start with a framework.  It's a good idea that most people begin a jigsaw by trying to put together the framework first. . .the same is true at work.    Before beginning anything, put together the framework, or the foundation, that will house your work.   Determine the parameters and systems that you will need. . .and you will have a much easier time solving the puzzle.  (Also realize that, similar to a jigsaw puzzle, some of the framework that you thought belonged one place - truly belongs in another - in other words - be flexible!)

Sort through the issues.  Most everyone sorts the pieces before putting the puzzle together.    So it is with work. . .find the likenesses, the things that go together and the similarities will let you to move forward.

Turn the elements around.  My experience with jigsaws is that I will look at several pieces one way for quite awhile. . .and it isn't until I turn them around that I begin to see how they fit together.  I have found the same to be true in the workplace.    We can stare at the same old situation for a long time, but it isn't until we start to turn it around, and look at it differently, that we are able to make progress.

Keep the big picture in focus.    While trying to solve a jigsaw, how often do you refer to the master picture of the entire puzzle put together?     Same should be true with teams - always keep the big picture in mind as you put together the small pieces that build a bigger element.

Working together helps you solve the puzzle faster.     Enough said.

Communication is key to success.   "Have you seen a flat piece with green?"    "I have a large red piece here that you may want."    Great communication enables you to move faster and more successfully.

Celebrate the finished product. Hopefully, upon completion, you do not ignore the completed puzzle, but instead celebrate its success.   So should you with every successful completion in the New Year!.

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Brent Frerichs is the author of "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" available for e-readers, tablets and PCs from Amazon Kindle - now just 2.99.  Or, if you are a member of Amazon Prime, you can read this book for free.