Unlock Business Growth: The Secret to Moving from Problems to Possibilities

"Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you.” - Walt Whitman

This quote perfectly captures the power of positivity in our lives and businesses. As a coach working with small business owners, I’ve seen first hand how shifting focus from problems to possibilities can be transformative. Appreciative Inquiry, a core technique I use, centers on this idea. Instead of dwelling on what’s broken, we explore what’s working, what strengths are present, and what dreams will inspire growth.

By recognizing what’s right and envisioning the best possible outcomes, business owners unlock potential they didn’t know existed, paving a path forward that’s both impactful and sustainable. It’s about harnessing positive energy to move past the shadows of doubt and into the light of opportunity.

While it is important to gain enough facts to ask questions that will reframe your mindset it is important to not dwell on the situation.  You can’t change what happened. What we need to do is identify that there is a gap between what is and the desired state or what could be.  We don’t ignore the problem we just approach them from the other side and start planning for the future state.

Here is a simple example as to how a business might use appreciative inquiry to approach a business situation.

The situation, your cleaning company has been receiving a lot of poor reviews lately and you are concerned. You could look at each individual complaint, place blame, and solve in isolation. However, if you take an appreciative inquiry approach you would start by asking yourself and your team - “What does the ideal future look like?”. Next you would begin by identifying the gaps and looking at the integrated system to understand how best to achieve this future state. You can include things that you are doing well and build upon those as well.

In summary, the key to moving forward not just in business but also in your personal life is not just to be solving problems but amplifying your strengths and thinking about the vision. Walt Whitman’s quote, “Keep your face always toward the sunshine—and shadows will fall behind you,” reminds us that where we place our focus matters. By looking toward the light—what’s working, what’s possible, and what energizes you—you can leave behind the limiting beliefs and challenges that cast shadows over the potential.

 Appreciative Inquiry is more than just a coaching technique; it’s a mindset shift. When you actively search for what’s best in your business and explore how to build upon it, you’re choosing to create a future that excites and inspires you. You start to see opportunities you hadn’t seen before, you gain confidence in your abilities, and you cultivate a positive momentum that carries you through setbacks and tough decisions.

This approach is about asking different questions: not “What’s the problem?” but “What’s the strength we can build on?” It’s about engaging your team with a shared vision that draws on what’s good and making it great. As a coach I have the privilege to help business owners shape their narrative—to move toward growth, innovation, and success—by focusing on what’s possible.

So, as you read this today, I challenge you to bring this mindset into your daily decisions and interactions. Keep your gaze firmly on the sunshine moments, and watch as those shadows of doubt and difficulty fall away.

Remember, every strength you nurture is another step toward the bright future you envision.