--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When someone comes to you to talk about a…" description: "\"When someone comes to you to talk about a problem, if you move the conversation on to a discussion of potential solutions, you fuel their creative prob..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/michelle-gielan-20235_ability_when-someone-comes-to-you-to-talk-about_566923.jpg" --- # When someone comes to you to talk about a problem, if you… ![“When someone comes to you to talk about a problem, if you move the conversation on to a discussion of potential solutions, you fuel their creative problem solving abilities on average by 20% - not to mention you make them feel better! You make them smarter and more empowered to tackle challenges.” quote by Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/michelle-gielan-20235_ability_when-someone-comes-to-you-to-talk-about_566923.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/michelle-gielan-20235_ability_when-someone-comes-to-you-to-talk-about_566923.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b43/michelle-gielan-20235_ability_when-someone-comes-to-you-to-talk-about_566923.jpg) > “When someone comes to you to talk about a problem, if you move the conversation on to a discussion of potential solutions, you fuel their creative problem solving abilities on average by 20% - not to mention you make them feel better! You make them smarter and more empowered to tackle challenges.” [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shifting focus from problems to solutions boosts creativity and wellbeing, enhancing empowerment and confidence. **In simple terms:** Talking solutions improves creativity and mood. Key Takeaway Encourage solution‑focused dialogue. Themes creativity empowerment wellbeing leadership Mood encouraging optimistic Type advice motivational When to use this quote - team meetings - coaching sessions - customer support - conflict resolution Key Concepts problem‑solving psychology motivation Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance understanding the problem with proposing solutions? - What barriers might prevent people from embracing solutions? A Different Perspective May overlook underlying issues if solutions are rushed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Challenges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenges/) [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversation/) [Creative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative/) [Creative problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creative-problem-solving/) [Empowered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empowered/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Problem solving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem-solving/) ## Related quotes > [Hackers often describe what they do as playfully creative problem solving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-brooke/hackers-often-describe-what-they-do-as-playfully-creative-problem/) [Heather Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-brooke/) > [I think child stars have a leg up, actually, because they have an innate sense of what creative problem solving is all about. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-howard/i-think-child-stars-have-a-leg-up-actually-because-they-have-an/) [Ron Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-howard/) > [It is not exactly cheating. I prefer to call it creative problem solving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-not-exactly-cheating-i-prefer-to-call-it-creative-problem/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is a continuous exercise in creative problem solving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-gelb/life-is-a-continuous-exercise-in-creative-problem-solving/) [Michael J. Gelb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-gelb/) > [Pay attention to the inner voice that tells you when something feels right. Much of your creative problem-solving occurs at an unconscious level.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nita-leland/pay-attention-to-the-inner-voice-that-tells-you-when-something-feels/) [Nita Leland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nita-leland/) > [“Life is a continuous exercise is creative problem solving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-gelb/life-is-a-continuous-exercise-is-creative-problem-solving/) [Michael J. Gelb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-gelb/) > [It's all about one thing: creative problem-solving to get the story out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greenberg/it-s-all-about-one-thing-creative-problem-solving-to-get-the-story-out/) [Robert Greenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greenberg/) > [“Complaining solves nothing but creative problem solving amongst people with a common focus will produce solutions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-auliq-ice/complaining-solves-nothing-but-creative-problem-solving-amongst/) [Oscar Auliq-Ice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-auliq-ice/) > [Drawing and visual pursuits were first. Music came and found me in a way. Really, what it's about is creative problem solving, and music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-boyd/drawing-and-visual-pursuits-were-first-music-came-and-found-me-in-a/) [Brandon Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-boyd/) > [There is also one excellent reason why the veriest amateur may feel entitled to have an opinion about education. For if we are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/there-is-also-one-excellent-reason-why-the-veriest-amateur-may-feel/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [I'd say I never considered myself a great architect. I'm more of a creative problem solver with good taste and a soft spot for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-semple/i-d-say-i-never-considered-myself-a-great-architect-i-m-more-of-a/) [Maria Semple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-semple/) > [I credit my mom with inspiring in me a love of design, matched by her creative problem-solving abilities. This is a woman who could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/candice-olson/i-credit-my-mom-with-inspiring-in-me-a-love-of-design-matched-by-her/) [Candice Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/candice-olson/) > [I mean, many times your creative problem is accidentally your personal problem, but it's not quite the same.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessa-crispin/i-mean-many-times-your-creative-problem-is-accidentally-your-personal/) [Jessa Crispin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessa-crispin/) > [The design and creative side is not a problem, but learning how to run a company as a young creative has been challenging. There…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dominic-jones/the-design-and-creative-side-is-not-a-problem-but-learning-how-to-run/) Dominic Jones > [Depending on the kind of code you write, depending on the kind of ideas you have, you can be creative in problem-solving and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacky-rosen/depending-on-the-kind-of-code-you-write-depending-on-the-kind-of/) [Jacky Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacky-rosen/) ## More by Michelle Gielan > [I realized there was a better way to broadcast the news that empowered people to believe they could overcome challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/i-realized-there-was-a-better-way-to-broadcast-the-news-that/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [For me, I love dancing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/for-me-i-love-dancing/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [We are all constantly transmitting information to the people around us, and the messages we choose to communicate either create success or hold us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/we-are-all-constantly-transmitting-information-to-the-people-around/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [Too quickly, venting can turn into dumping garbage on the people around us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/too-quickly-venting-can-turn-into-dumping-garbage-on-the-people/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [Surfing the web often comes at the cost of face-to-face time with friends and family.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/surfing-the-web-often-comes-at-the-cost-of-face-to-face-time-with/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [We change people, but oftentimes we get so focused on the negative people and their influence on us, we forget how powerful we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/we-change-people-but-oftentimes-we-get-so-focused-on-the-negative/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [I try to only vent when I really need to process something, and let the rest go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/i-try-to-only-vent-when-i-really-need-to-process-something-and-let/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [If you want a particular behavior from someone else, try spotlighting those times when he or she is already doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/if-you-want-a-particular-behavior-from-someone-else-try-spotlighting/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [We are ALL broadcasters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/we-are-all-broadcasters/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [Instead of running from the negative, I've started running towards the positive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/instead-of-running-from-the-negative-i-ve-started-running-towards-the/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [People are pulled towards the best in themselves, and spotlighting the right is a much stronger approach than nagging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/people-are-pulled-towards-the-best-in-themselves-and-spotlighting-the/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [Know that positive change is possible. It might not happen right away, but if you change your broadcast to them, that can have an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/know-that-positive-change-is-possible-it-might-not-happen-right-away/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [I think there is little harm in venting here and there about things, as we are all human, and it is good to express…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/i-think-there-is-little-harm-in-venting-here-and-there-about-things/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [I've learned to stop being so serious!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/i-ve-learned-to-stop-being-so-serious/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) > [Change your story, change your power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-gielan/change-your-story-change-your-power/) [Michelle Gielan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) [Explore all 31 Michelle Gielan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-gielan/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When someone comes to you to talk about a problem, if you move the conversation on to a discussion of potential solutions, you fuel their creative problem solving abilities on average by 20% - not to mention you make them feel better! 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