“Problem-solving becomes a very important part of our makeup as we grow into maturity or move up the corporate ladder.”
– Zig Ziglar
One facet of productivity is being able to solve concerns and issues effectively to mitigate any possible negative impact whether in life or at work. Problem-solving skills allow you to determine a possible issue and then identify processes to achieve the best outcome.
In this conversation, we will learn how we can improve our problem-solving skills and how to investigate any challenges or concerns that are presented along the way. These two things will provide us with an effective way to problem solve and get to a solution.
Here’s 3 quick steps to improve our problem-solving skills:
1. Evaluate the situation at hand and get to the root of the problem
In order to come up with a sound solution, recognizing the root of the problem is the first step. Gather all of the information that you have regarding the situation and investigate. Pay attention to the details that may have led to the situation and start to put together the pieces to form the story. When there is a better understanding of the scope of the issue, you have a clearer idea of what you are dealing with.
Once you have identified the issue and its possible impact, get to its source. This will give you key insights on how to rectify the situation. It is vital that you identify the cause to directly solve the issue and not fall into the trap of formulating band-aid solutions for the symptoms.
2. List the potential solutions and evaluate them
Now that you have discovered the root of the problem, the next step is to resolve the issue. Whether you are working with a team or alone, brainstorm ideas that can form into a solution. Creating a list of possible solutions allows you to visualize more clearly.
A clearer understanding of the entire scope of the issue will also help you to determine who else should be involved and what strategies should be followed to effectively solve a problem.
Be creative with your solutions. It may be cliché, but thinking outside the box works well with problem-solving.
Evaluate each solution before implementation. Do a couple of dry runs with your solution to ensure you are guaranteed your desired outcome.
3. Implement your solution and review
This step is very crucial as you will now implement the solution for a
wider population. Prior to doing this, make sure that you create a plan on how the implementation will happen. Set clear timelines to ensure that the rollout will be organized and smooth. Double-check your plan. Is there anything else that you need to update or refine? Trying different strategies to see which resonates more with you is a great idea as well.
Lastly, practice makes progress. Keep on practicing and learning from this experience as it will allow you to be an effective problem solver.
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