Role Play with History

You're wrestling with a significant problem. Take some time and ask how some or all of these people would handle it:

• Theodore Roosevelt
• Margaret Thatcher
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Winston Churchill
• George Washington
  
• Abraham Lincoln
• ?

You get my point. Step out of your shoes and consider a completely different perspective. Look for the positives and negatives of each person's approach. Don't rush to assume that their technique won't apply. See if a combination of two or more might be helpful. Jot down your observations.

[I met with a group several months ago on a leadership issue. The team members were arguing over the options. One question - "How would Teddy Roosevelt handle this?" - brought some smiles and a quick and practical resolution.]