When a door opens before us, we naturally want to walk through. An open door presents the opportunity to let go of the past and move on. Forward movement screams opportunity – where as a closed door is, well…a closed door.

In this episode we are discussing tip #10 of the 10-Tips for Redirecting Conflict titled: Create Opportunities from my book: Leading Chaos: An Essential Guide to Conflict Management

Having an open door is an opportunity. Some opportunities feel like they almost magically appear. Take for instance the fall of the Berlin Wall. That big old wall separated East Germany from West Germany from 1961 to 1989.

Who would have thought that the Berlin Wall would be torn down. But on November 9, 1989 it did, and not because it was old and crumbling, but because a chain of events occurred that opened the door and made it so.

Check out this link for more info on the Berlin Wall http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/11/07/berlin-wall-facts/18668817/

I certainly look at the peaceful fall of the Berlin Wall as a miracle.

But we don’t have to be miracle makers to create opportunites. All we have to do is find a way to open the door without expectations.

Let’s first look at Creating opportunity before a conflict.

Take the simple phrase: How may I help you?

The expectation is that you will have an answer and that is the first clue that maybe we might want to rephrase this question to provide a bit more opportunity.

Instead of How may I help you?

We can say, “I am willing to help and will stand back until you need me.”

Can you see how no answer is required for the person who is in despair or maybe just repairing a leaking faucet? Regardless, it opens the door to engage or not and that alone creates opportunity to remain open to communication.

Listen along as we discuss how to remain nonjudgemental and optimistic as we sort through the scenario from my book: Redirecting Michael toward a New Goal [new Opportunity]

Given the opportunity, miracles do happen.