Lesson learned on Facebook of all places! Many people out there really would love to be employed in solving problems if we'd just invite them to do so.

Try this. Facebook post a real problem you've got and watch what happens. In the past few months I've posted plenty of "good day stuff" and often no one says "boo."  No comments. Not even a "like!"  But when I posted that Harry (my dog) got "skunked,"  Harry rolled in "decaying animal," my shower leaked, and my bike broke down miles from home, I was inundated with ideas, advice and well-wishes in the comment section.    Hmmmm...

Do you get the point? Many people get "juiced" and "jazzed" when they get to help solve problems. And they'll do it as volunteers! Now, imagine inviting people to help solve significant problems. They'd be thrilled!

Got problems? Your company got any? Your church? Your city?

We leaders sometimes think our role is to have all the answers. ..... Well, that's a problem!

Consider employing  retirees to engage in solving problems. (or at home moms, or other leaders, or your own employees) Give them the ability to know they can dream big and think outside the box. Then let them tackle problems in Chicago. (homelessness, drugs in schools, drop out rates, lonely seniors, etc...) In your organization (decreasing employee morale, turnover, dropping sales).   Church.  Non-profit. 

Guess who'll benefit? Potentially everyone! You. The people in need. AND the people who've felt underutilized, underemployed, undervalued and "underpurposed."  

May even be a lot of fun!  What's to lose?

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