How to overcome obstacles

Unblock your path

At some point in our working lives, we will inevitably face obstacles that delay our progress in achieving our goals. Regardless of whether we are working solo or as part of a team, there will be barriers that block our path. This could be due to several things such as team dynamics, restrictive or conflicting timescales, not having the right tools, or maybe a lack of knowledge, be it our own or others. Sometimes, it’s due to unclear communication or realising our skills and capabilities don’t quite fit the task at hand.

Shift perspectives

Often it is an employee’s own mindset which can be the biggest obstacle. We are all guilty of falling into the trap of self-limitation due to our own negative thoughts. Downplaying our expertise by thinking we can’t do something or not even trying because we default to thinking it won’t work. This unhelpful thinking is reflected in our language too, “I can’t / this won’t / it doesn’t”. Left unchecked, this mindset could undermine both the employee’s success and the success of the entire team.

How can an employee change their mindset so that they think, feel and react differently when confronted with an obstacle?

As Desmond Tutu once wisely said, “there is only one way to eat an elephant, a bite at a time.” The simplest way to tackle large or daunting tasks is by breaking them down into smaller, more manageable pieces. By approaching the problem step by step with patience and persistence, even the most complex of issues can be resolved.

Here are some starter suggestions for breaking down the elephant into bite-sized chunks.

Identify the obstacle

Just how big is the obstacle your employee is dealing with? Have they gathered enough data and insights to fully understand the situation? Remember, without a complete picture, their understanding of the obstacle could be skewed. Encourage them to take some time to pause for a moment, take a step back and reassess the situation. Once your employee knows what they are facing, it will become clearer as to how they can tackle the issue.

Innovative thinking

‘Thinking outside of the box’ is often advised to inspire and encourage people to think creatively and unconventionally. But what if naturally diverging from traditional patterns of thought to come up with innovative ideas or solutions isn’t a skill your employees have developed?

Some employees will need more guidance in developing the mindset to explore new approaches and not be restricted by usual constraints or preconceived notions. As their manager, you can help them to think about the obstacles they are facing and ask themselves: why have they arisen? If they are familiar, why are they dealing with them in the same way?

Asking these questions can free up their creative mind to explore fresh perspectives and solutions.

Create a SMART action plan

Creating a SMART action plan involves setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Having a SMART action plan will give your employee a clear direction and focus their efforts on what's important and necessary. By having a more structured, clear, and practical plan, you will be helping your employee to raise their contribution, increase their chance of success and turn vague ambitions into actionable steps.

Need a fresh perspective on the obstacles in your organisation?

People contribute at their highest level when they have the tools and capabilities to work productively in their roles. In our Removing Obstacles Course, we provide individuals and teams with the tools and capabilities to identify and unpick obstacles blocking their way. As a result of attending our course, your employees will discover new tactics and strategies to tackle challenges effectively. Our toolkit will support their new thinking and set your team on a new path to success.