«If a problem has a solution, why worry? And if it doesn't, why worry?», Japanese proverb.
POR LYDIA VIDAL. Que levante la mano quien no tenga un problema… o doscientos. Podríamos pensar que todos los tenemos. Sin embargo, una de las cosas que enseña el Coaching Ejecutivo es a transformar problems into challenges—in other words, to change what we see as “unscalable walls” into a series of actions we can work with.
Coaching, then, is about seeing as opportunity what we usually see (and feel) as an obstacle. To achieve this shift, coaching proposes modifying our perspective, our mindset, and above all, our language. (Which is to say, almost everything).
Let’s start by proposing the idea that a problem is not a problem... but rather, a problem is a judgment.That is, instead of thinking “there’s no way out of this,” we think that “we’re the ones not seeing it.” This way, we can create distance and realize it’s not the “thing” that’s stuck—it’s us, as observers.
Los aprendizajes sobre juicios, observadores de la realidad y enfoques son clave y suceden en un proceso de coaching (de manera concreta e individual) o a gran escala en la Executive Coaching Certification. En este texto, no pretendemos entrar en metodologías específicas, pero sí mostrar un resumen de how to go from problem to challenge..
1. A problem is a story we tell ourselves
The brain looks for patterns and constantly creates narratives to make sense of reality. What we interpret as a problem is a mental construct based on our experiences and beliefs. If we shift our perspective, the interpretation changes.
- “My team is not committed” – Is that a fact or a perception? What other way is there to see it?
2. Watch out for victim language
Language impacts the way we perceive reality and affects our emotional response and, therefore, our actions. Expressions like “I can’t,”, “This always happens,”, or “This is out of my hands” make us believe we’re stuck.
- “My boss doesn’t listen to me”, from problem to challenge:
- → “How can I communicate more effectively with my boss?”
- “I don’t have time”, from problem to challenge:
- → “I need to organize myself better. What changes can I make?”
3. Focus on what is in your hands
The brain is more efficient when it focuses on solutions and actions instead of the problem. Neuroscience also shows that focusing attention on what we can control reduces stress and improves decision-making.
- “Our meetings are chaotic”, from problem to challenge:
- → “What clear structure for meetings would I like to propose?”
4. Stop reacting and start responding
Responsibility is the ability to respond consciously. When we act from reactivity, the autopilot takes over. But if we train ourselves to pause and choose our response—activating the prefrontal cortex—we not only make decisions, we make more strategic ones.
- “They don’t take me into account”, from problem to challenge:
- → “How can I make myself more impactful?”
5. A challenge has a goal and direction
Problems generate a sense of being stuck, while challenges activate motivation and learning circuits—energy and action.
- “My team isn’t aligned with the goals”, from problem to challenge:
- → “I’m going to design a clear strategy to align and motivate the team over the next 3 months.”
We can’t avoid judging, but we can change the judgment
As our facilitators say in the Certification, “we are walking judgments.”We go through life interpreting reality through our beliefs—something natural and inevitable—and that’s okay. What we usually ignore is that by changing our interpretation (changing the judgment), we change the experience.
So when you feel or say you have a problem, ask yourself: “What if what worries me wasn’t a problem?” “What question could I ask myself to turn it into a challenge?”
Bonus Tip: «Todo lo que sucede, sucede en una conversación».
