"problem-solution cycle" - what?

I booked a flight to Amman to visit my sister who lives there, because I’m really suffering from the weather and the days without light here in Belgium. Fortunately, I have too little time to complain about the lack of light because I am in the final stretch towards the highlight of my time in Leuven: the FTI and& festival. And a highlight is also a light no? :-)

➡️ Leadership: Business and Emotions

So, in less than a month, my time at FTI and& will be over…As the deadline approaches, the stress within the team is getting higher, and emotions are starting to dominate. Totally normal, but how to handle this? My approach is simple: I've noticed that 'small conflicts' arising from stress can often be resolved by simply taking the emotion out of the equation. After all, we're all working with people, and emotions are naturally part of our interactions. Recognizing your colleagues' feelings and trying to understand the reasons behind their reactions can be very helpful. Once you do that, you can begin to find a solution, and resolving conflicts becomes achievable. This method works every time!

This experience has also made me reflect on the role of emotions in business. Often, we pretend as if emotions don't exist in our professional lives. But that's far from the truth! There are so many emotions involved! This makes working in a team one of the most challenging tasks. And yet, it's surprising how few people see the key to collaboration: simply acknowledging each other's emotions. That's it! And for oneself: Isn't it more crucial to learn how to make the right decisions while managing various emotions rather than suppressing them?

Moreover, being in control of your emotions doesn't mean being calm all the time, being indifferent, or keeping your distance. It's about being aware of the triggers that might lead you to make irrational decisions that are not in the best interest of your business. Completely shutting off emotions, just in case, seems like a scenario that could lead to unnecessary tension.

Whenever you find yourself being swayed by emotions in making an important decision, it's time to pause. Think about the long-term perspective. What makes the most sense now and in the future? Find a balanced approach. I've discovered that, more often than not, rational thinking will take precedence.

It's okay to be emotional — even in business. It can be a healthy response to what you're going through. Instead of avoiding emotions, I suggest avoiding getting stuck on your initial expectations.

➡️ Brandlove: How the streets of Leuven look today

This week, I'm very happy to dedicate this brand love section to our own brand work. (Being proud of yourself is definitely allowed, right?!:-))

Despite having written quite a bit of copy in my life (books, TV shows, newscasts, online blogs, spots, advertisements, etc.), it was the first time I had experienced an Out Of Home campaign. This process at FTI and& was incredibly insightful! Especially because of all the smart people around me. Super proud to walk through Leuven today and admire our work. 💜🧡 

➡️ Graphic design has rules!

I really don't have the best skills in graphic design. But I'm always amazed at how programmed our minds actually are!

➡️ Entrepreneurship: problem-solution cycle

I'm still devouring the same book: $100M Leads by Alexander Hormozi. I’d like to share following insight because it's a kind you don't get a hundred times in your life. Look at this visual:

Every problem has a solution. But every solution reveals more problems. This is the never-ending cycle of business (and life). Smaller problem-solution cycles sit inside larger ones. So, you'll never have a moment without a problem in life or in business. Recognizing this pattern helps set more accurate expectations. And it puts everything into perspective, right? Solving problems is growth. I found it incredibly insightful to realize that I shouldn't try to chase a life without problems. Because after every problem, there's a new one. So, why worry? 🤷‍♀️

I've just decided to buy the book in hardcover instead of the ebook I'm currently reading. This is knowledge for life, people!

➡️ To Read: Next on my list (a little joke)

Solid book review. Hahaha.
(I don’t have sleeping problems, I just thought this is the best review a writer can get)

See you next week!
x Ingrid