The workplace is full of problems and as a manager you are expected to solve them. It’s not easy to solve all organizational problems however. This is especially true if you are dealing with a complex problem. Complex problems often stir up the emotions of everyone involved — including you if you have to solve them.

To move from negative emotions to productive problem solving, you can make a subtle change in your thinking. Once you do this, you can start your journey down the path of discovery.

So, how does this happen?

When a problem occurs, instead of first exploring how to get the problem to go away, first stop and ask yourself: What is the opportunity here? This is the key to innovative problem solving. It’s understanding that the problems you face are opportunities — no matter how frustrating they appear to be at first. Innovative thinking on how to solve a difficult problem begins when you view problems as opportunities — when you break the barriers of limited thinking that we all have.

This way of viewing problems is known as reframing. Think of it this way: You may not be able to change the picture that you bought but you can always change what frame you put on it. When you do this you create new opportunities on how and where you can use that picture in your home.

The same is true with organizational problems. Your organizational problem remains but how you handle it depends on how you choose to frame it. Problems are often your chance to make needed changes in the workplace. It’s your opportunity to gain the attention and cooperation of others if you frame your response appropriately.

For example, if you’re facing a budget cut, maybe this problem is your opportunity to convince your boss, peers, and employees  that it’s time to stop doing less meaningful work!