“When we focus on outcomes and take creative steps to go after that, we solve problems in service to those. It’s not that the Outcome Orientation is all goodness and light and problem free, but that we can tackle the problems that stand in the way of we really want and really care about.” – David Emerald Womeldorff

A 2022 Mindset Goal: An Outcome Orientation

As we dive into a new year, David Emerald Womeldorff’s discussion of problem mindset versus outcome mindset and the 3 Vital Questions is more relevant than ever. It’s why I’ve recapped this popular episode from 2020, especially as we prepare to tackle fresh challenges.

David discusses how all leadership begins with self-leadership, and how our mindset paves the way to a desired path. When we approach situations with a problem orientation, it drives anxious, reactive behavior and causes drama. In contrast, an outcome orientation keeps us focused on our passion: what we want to create and what’s supporting and aligning with our desired outcome.

As the author of The Power of TED and 3 Vital Questions: Transforming Workplace Drama, David makes complex topics easier to understand through his story-telling superpower.

Revisiting this conversation reminds me of the power of resilience in the face of organizational challenges and refreshes me as I plan my 2022.

Be the Victor, Not the Victim

[24:36] “There are two major components to our stepping into and developing our capability as creators. One is to create outcomes. The second is that we as Creators own our capacity to choose our response to whatever is going on in our lives."

Create and Generate

[33:32] “What actions are you taking? Are you merely reacting to the problems of the moment, or are you taking creative and generative action, including the solving of problems in service to outcomes?”

[35:03] “The three basic steps of dynamic tension are first and foremost, focus on the outcome and to be as clear as we can on the outcome, that the outcome can sometimes be clear and concrete – other times it may be more vague and directional.”

Resources mentioned in this episode:

3 Vital Questions website:

https://bit.ly/2Nsz927

The Power of TED: The Empowerment Dynamic:

https://bit.ly/3sM9eCE

3 Vital Questions:Transforming Workplace Drama

David Emerald

Donna Zajonc

Stephen Karpman's Drama Triangle

Bob Anderson's episode on Rise Leaders Radio

The Leadership Circle Profile

Robert Fritz: Structural Tension

Rise Leaders' newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/426e78bc9538/subscribe