META-PROGRAM THINKING FOR OUTCOMES

During our study time at Starbucks a few days ago, Geraldine and I were reading and enjoying our morning coffee and tea. At a certain moment Geraldine opened a page in the book, Figuring Out People and called attention to the fact that years ago I had identified a set of meta-programs for designing a well-structured outcomes, problems and solutions.

Since that time, I had forgotten all about writing the chapter Meta-Programs for Accelerating Excellence (ch 15). But now, because she seemed to be unduly impressed with what was written there, she urged me to look at it again. Then as an excellent pursuader, she reminded me of my current studies in problem-solving and how I had studied problem-solving in 2025 in preparation to train managers in problem-solving (the ACPF program). After that I shifted to formatting problem-solving for the 5 minute conversation. That’s when I realized I needed to model the structure of a problem. These are questions I was attempting to more fully answer:

∙ What kind of thinking makes up and enables what we call problem-solving?

∙ What is the actual structure of a problem? How is that experience structured?

∙ Once a person learns how to ask and effectively work the 77 questions in the Well-Formed Problem questions, can we streamline that process to make it more efficient?

∙ Could a person streamline it and engage in a problem-solving conversation in 5 minutes?

∙ After performing it in 5 minutes, can we teach managers and leaders to do the same?

∙ What about the more complex and convoluted problems, how do we learn to solve them effectively and efficiently?

Meta-Programs for Designing and Achieving a Desired Outcome

Imagine observing an expert who can effectively set and achieve a challenging goal? When you deeply observe by looking for the set of meta-programs she uses, which meta-programs will you inevitably see being used? If you were to follow the expert’s use of the meta-programs, what would you do in solving problems?

#L. Focused Intentionality. Begin with an intentionality to give you a sense of purpose, a passion that arises from what’s truly important to you. Your big Why.

#35. Toward. Identify what you want rather than what you don’t want. Then specify it representatively (#1) in all of the sensory (VAK) systems.

#40. Optimizing. As you move forward toward your goal, aim for small steps that move you forward. Then with an “It’s good enough for now” mindset notice any of the problems associated with perfectionism (e.g., procrastination, cynicism, etc.) and use them as a signal to move into optimizing.

#36. Procedures and Options. To move forward you will need both options and procedures. Follow correct procedures where you have a workable procedure and where there is none, invent new alternatives.

#43. Collegial Relating: Collaborative. To achieve almost anything in today’s world involves working with and through others. The more collaborative you are, the more you can develop a team approach. Identify and invite others to collaborate with you.

#5. Counting. Because moving forward entails ups and downs, plateaus, and constant re-adjustments, adopt an attitude of counting any and all progress.

#23. Internal Reference. Own the objective as yours and as chosen by you. As you sense that it is up to you, make it happen from your “locus of control.”

Is that all? No, by no means. As with every experience, things depend on your objective, your unique style, the context (when, where, etc.) and other variables in that particular situation. Additional meta-programs for achieving an outcome may certainly involve these:

#54. Responsibility. Take responsibility for what you do and the resulting consequences.

#B: Perceptual positions. Expand your perspective in multiple ways, viewing it from each of the perceptual positions.

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#46. Risk Taking: Embracing. Learn how to take smart, appropriate, and resourceful risks is always involved in going after a prized goal.

All of this describes the key thinking patterns for setting a goal and striving to turn that goal into reality. Of these 10 meta-programs, which ones are your strengths? Which ones do you need to expand and develop so that you can be more effective as a person who makes your goals and dreams real?