From Insight to Action: How to Build Your "How" Uncovering Your Potential Through Strengths

We often believe that progress requires a monumental leap—a groundbreaking idea or a complete overhaul of everything we do. We search for complex answers to complex problems.

But what if the key to moving forward isn't about inventing something new, but about understanding what’s already in front of us?

The most powerful transformations begin with a simple shift: from searching for a solution to building the "how."

My guiding principle—my North Star—is helping you create that "how." It’s a process rooted in thoughtful questions, deep understanding, and uncovering the unique strengths that form a solid foundation for progress. We shine a light on what’s working and what holds untapped potential. This allows us to identify the small, strategic changes that blossom into meaningful, sustainable systems and processes.

It is not about finding quick fixes. It's about building a practical, actionable path forward together, one that is built on the bedrock of your reality.

The Foundation of "How": Seeing What's Truly There

In any business or team, two narratives are running at the same time. The first is the presented reality—the one we see in status reports and official meetings. It’s polished and often highlights successes while glossing over the messy details. The second is the existing reality—the unvarnished truth of how things actually get done. It includes the hidden workflows, the unspoken team dynamics, and the real-world challenges that slow things down.

Building your "how" on the presented reality is like constructing a house on sand. It may look sturdy for a moment, but it lacks the foundation to last. To create sustainable change, you must dig deeper to understand the existing reality. This requires moving beyond surface-level information and asking questions that uncover the true state of things. It’s about building a strategy based on facts, not assumptions.

The Art of Asking Questions That Build

The tool for this discovery work is the thoughtful question. The goal isn't to find fault but to foster clarity. Powerful questions move conversations from blame toward understanding and from problems toward possibilities.

Uncover the Root Cause

First, we need to understand the "why" behind the challenges you face. Many people stop at identifying a problem, but real progress comes from digging into its origins.

• Surface Question: "What's holding up this project?" This question often returns a list of symptoms, like "delayed approvals" or "resource shortages."

• Deeper Question: "What is the pattern that leads to these delays? Where does the process break down?" This question seeks the root cause.

  
  

A useful technique here is the "Five Whys," where you ask "why" repeatedly to peel back the layers of an issue. Each answer becomes the basis for the next question, guiding you from a surface-level symptom to the core problem. This shifts the focus from who is responsible to what can be improved.

Uncover Hidden Strengths

My approach isn't just about dissecting problems; it’s equally focused on discovering what you already do well.

Strengths are the building blocks of your "how." Often, the solution to a persistent weakness is an underutilized strength hiding in plain sight.

Consider these questions to illuminate your team’s potential:

• "When do you feel like you are hitting on all cylinders? Where does work just flow easily like swimming downstream?"

• "What is one thing this team does exceptionally well, even if it seems small?"

• "If we had to solve this issue using only the skills and resources we have right now, how would we approach it?"

  
  

These questions shift the team’s mindset from scarcity to abundance. You begin to see your resources not for what they lack, but for the power they already hold. A team that struggles with long-term planning might excel at rapid, creative adaptation. Instead of forcing them into a rigid planning model, we can build a "how" that leverages their agility. This is how you turn existing talents into strategic advantages.

My North Star: Helping You Create the "How"

This is where my passion and purpose align. My true North Star is helping you build your "how." When we ask the right questions, we develop a deep understanding of your unique landscape. We uncover your strengths and identify the foundational elements needed to move forward. We ask the right questions, and we develop a deep understanding of your unique landscape. We uncover your strengths and identify the foundational elements needed to be prepared to serve.

Together, we shine a light on uncovering potential. This clarity allows me to help you identify the specific, small adjustments that can create meaningful and lasting systems. It’s about empowering you and your team to build a clear, sustainable path to achieving your goals.

Small Shifts, Big Results: The Power of Strategic Tweaks

Once we have a clear picture of the existing reality and a map of your strengths, we often discover that massive overhauls are not necessary. The most effective path forward usually involves small, strategic tweaks at points of high leverage. These are the places where a minor change can have a ripple effect across the entire system.

These shifts might look like:

• A simple process change: Adjusting a single step in a workflow that eliminates a recurring bottleneck for everyone.

• A communication adjustment: Creating one clear, designated channel for important updates to reduce confusion and noise.

• A role clarification: Redefining one person’s responsibilities to align perfectly with their strengths, freeing others to focus on theirs.

  
  

These are not revolutionary concepts. They are practical, precise adjustments made with a deep understanding of the whole system. This approach is far more effective and sustainable than introducing a large, disruptive initiative that the team neither understands nor wants. It’s about making targeted improvements that stick.

Uncovering Potential: How to Build Your "How": From Insight to Lasting Action

The ability to build a practical "how" is a skill that can be cultivated. It begins with curiosity, empathy, and a genuine desire to understand before acting. Resist the urge to jump straight to a solution when a problem arises. Instead, take a moment to ask another question, listen more deeply, and look for hidden strengths.

Let this process guide you toward a deeper understanding of your work, your team, and your goals. When you commit to seeing what is truly there, you unlock the ability to build a more resilient, effective, and meaningful path forward. You will discover that your greatest potential has been there all along, waiting for the right "how" to bring it to life.

Jamie Gustafson North Star