Clear Pictures Create Clear Decisions
By Jordan Regas
Have you ever tried putting together a puzzle only to realize there’s a missing piece?
One time my wife and I were working on a puzzle and I started getting frustrated. When it comes to puzzling, my wife is the superior puzzler. I’m more of a “find the corners and edges” guy. And on this one, there was a corner piece I couldn’t find anywhere.
I scoured the pile. I looked under my chair and under the table, convinced it had fallen. Finally, in a last-ditch effort, I checked the original bag of pieces—and sure enough, there it was. Sitting right in front of me the whole time. It wasn’t missing. It just wasn’t on the table.
In his book, The Skilled Facilitator, Roger Schwarz introduces the concept of a group working together effectively as being similar to putting together a puzzle, with everyone having important pieces to share. Not long ago, I observed this take place during an annual meeting with a leadership team I’ve worked with for the past two years. An important issue surfaced at the end of the second day.
From the first day I started working with this team, I’ve emphasized how important it is to be both open and honest.
Open means being curious—listening well, considering new ideas, and staying flexible in how we think. Honest means not holding anything back—getting everything out on the table. Sharing your perspective. Disagreeing when you believe there’s a better solution.
When we do that with mutual respect, it leads to healthy, passionate debate—and better decisions.
As the team worked through the stages of IDS™ to identify the root issue and determine the next right step, I was encouraged to see a typically reserved team member speak up and contribute key information and perspective. The conversation stayed open, honest, and respectful. And as they continued to share what they knew and really hear each other out, something shifted: a shared understanding of the true problem started to form.
The picture became clearer—and so did the path forward.
Whether you’re building a puzzle or solving an issue, it’s always more frustrating and more difficult when you’re working with missing pieces.
If you’re a business owner or a leader, I’d encourage you to be open and honest with your leadership team—and to create the space for them to do the same. Remind them that everyone is holding some of the pieces. And when we get them all out on the table, the picture becomes clear.