Troubleshooter’s Corner: Recent Episodes
Nick Catrantzos
A place where troubleshooters like you can hear about real cases and learn what it takes to deal with challenges. This applies to leaders, consultants, crisis managers, and problem-solvers — people like you with skin in the game who need to make a difference. Our focus: people trouble — because every problem is a people problem. Every episode has takeaways (or keepers), with the bottom line up front. Then comes the rest of the story, for context and perspective.
Ever find your organization stalemated by operating under the assumption, “If they knew better, they’d do better”? Yet nothing good comes out of that. By the way, for a look at my new book, Managing the Insider Threat: No Dark Corners and the Rising Tide Menace, check out this site for some details:http://catransauce.wixsite.com/nodarkcorners
Why is it that people who identify a certain way give you a sneak preview of how competent they are on the job? Pay attention to how they emphasize three identities, and you will tell whether you are dealing with a superstar, mediocrity, or loser.
Ever wonder what is behind the truism that some things don't happen until they need to happen? What is missing? It could very well be a sense of urgency.
Nothing could be more untrue than the idea that there is no such thing as a dumb question. At the same time, there are occasions when a so-called dumb question isn’t dumb at all. It is a test.
Taking a one-word lesson from modern active shooter response protocols to tackle problems you cannot neglect: Engagement. Some foundational ideas behind this have been around quite a while, as in here: US Department of Homeland Security Active Shooter Pocket Card. Center for Personal Protection & Safety Active Shooter Regional Training Seminar 2010. "Active Shooter in the Workplace" course sponsored in 2010 by the Orange County PSTRG. "Active Shooter in a High-Rise Building" training on 4/28/10 sponsored by LAPD SWAT, LAPD Metro Division, and Downtown Security Managers' Association.
How can a simple thank-you backfire on smart troubleshooters when it is something so simple to fix? Join Nick for a discussion of recognizing situations that call for acknowledging, not arguing.
Lessons from a legendary encounter between Alexander the Great and Diogenes the philosopher…
What can be worse than abject failure? A situation where what masquerades as a solution is only a coping mechanism. Yet you cannot fix every problem. So it is important to tell the two apart.
Surrounded by assassins? As we age and live our days in relatively safe environments, the two assassins most likely to surprise us are those we can do something about.
To Zoom or show up in person? It isn’t strictly an either-or situation. There are times when one is preferable to the other and when neither works. Join Nick for some cases and that illustrate these points.
What happens when all else fails and you throw money and resources at a problem? Sometimes, this only makes things worse. This was one of those times when a solo troubleshooter starting over from scratch got results that eluded an army of helpers with good intentions.
Think you are powerless as a hostage? Think again. This is a true story of how three international hostages made the best of their situation when caught up in an invasion. One of them even negotiated for better food, which they called his hostage salad.
Do smart people consistently make the same fatal mistake in a crisis? (Hint: All the time.) Join Nick as he tells leaders, consultants, entrepreneurs, crisis managers, and problem solvers how to avoid this pitfall. Learn more about your host at CatRanSauce.wixsite.com/nodarkcorners.