What are the best techniques for improving problem solving skills?

Face à des problèmes, nos premières stratégies peuvent être limitantes : ruminations, évitement, déni, résignation... Elles sont souvent provoquées par une charge émotionnelle significative. L'état d'esprit pour aborder le problème est central pour envisager un traitement du problème orienté solution. Plusieurs facteurs sont aidants : - Penser que le problème est soluble - Savoir qu'un problème peut prendre du temps pour être résolu et nécessite parfois plusieurs tentatives - Envisager le problème comme un challenge ou un défi, plut?t que comme une menace Résoudre des problèmes est une capacité qui s'apprend et se développe. C'est ce que les chercheurs D'Zurilla & Nezu concluent de leurs travaux sur le sujet.

What's helpful is to apply a 360-degree perspective to make sure you are defining the problem from a wider angle, not just your point of view. The perceptual position is a great way to start if it involves problems with others. 1st Position: How you view you the problem and how you would define it. 2nd Position: How the other persons views it and how they are are experiencing the problem. 3rd Position: Neutral or observer view, so no bias or judgement but look at it with emotional detachment. 4th Position: How the group or organization views the problem, or how it impacts the group or organization. and if necessary, the 5th Position which is a higher perspective, either the macro environment for business or spirituality for personal.

D'après mon expérience de manager et ce que j'essaie d'appliquer dans ma réflexion est que la meilleure solution à un problème n'est pas toujours la plus simple à mettre en oeuvre, elle doit nous challenger et peut nous faire sortir de notre zone de confort. L'objectif étant d'éviter une résolution d'un problème n'ayant qu'un effet immédiat et non pérenne dans le temps. Les " Quick win " en sont des exemples à utiliser avec modération et prudence, le bénéfice premier étant de prendre des décisions rapides dans un contexte d'immobilisme et d'attentisme.

Hone your problem-solving skills as if you're a chef in the knowledge kitchen. Treat active learning like fresh herbs, spicing up experiences. Cross-disciplinary knowledge is your exotic spice, adding unique flavors. Critical thinking is an essential salt, enhancing everything. Brainstorming offers a variety of perspectives, akin to a tasting menu. Mind mapping, your recipe book, arranges ideas. Continuous learning simmers like broth, enriching over time. Simulations and role-playing refine skills, akin to taste tests. Feedback and relaxation are like your sous-chef and palate cleanser, guiding and refreshing you. Set clear goals, directing your culinary journey to masterfully blend these elements into exquisite problem-solving dishes.

Spending enough time in the “problem space” is the first crucial step in effective problem-solving. In my experience, empathetic listening and considering diverse perspectives are key in ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the problem, which sets the stage for more effective solutions.

These are all great models to understand the full situational awareness. What's important to keep in mind is to always look at the impact of the solutions or outcomes. When finding a solution to a problem there is always a balance to be found by finding the most optimal solution, but it always has a suboptimal impact elsewhere. Once you are clear on this, you can apply risk reduction/mitigation strategies.

“Generating as many alternatives as possible is very important”. Fishbone Diagram and Idea Generation are tools that will help you with this thinking and approach. They expand your reach as a leader and tap your team’s creativity. They allow leaders to attack their targets with concentrated ideas to create possible countermeasures and or solutions that address and solve problems. The Fishbone Diagram categorizes causes that influences the effect- the problem. The team studies the diagram, pinpoints the most influential category, and picks a cause that may have created the effect. They use Idea Generation to generate ideas to solve the cause. They validate the idea/countermeasure to ensure the effect is removed. They work…

I have found that discussing potential solutions with select stakeholders has helped me evaluate the options and associated potential impacts. This has led me to make better decisions for the company and aided in gaining support for the solution.

I think my answer of point two is much better fitted here :) Be clear on the impact of the solution on the bigger picture, so taking a helicopter view is essential. This then helps you apply better risk mitigation and reduction strategies.

Successful implementation and monitoring of a solution require clear communication and continuous feedback. Use your emotional intelligence to gauge team sentiment and address any concerns proactively. This ensures that the team remains engaged and committed throughout the process, and any adjustments needed are identified and made promptly.

From an emotional intelligence perspective, encourage people to adopt a growth mindset which comes with discomfort. When we implement a solution and at a certain point it no longer works out, we have to find something else or change certain elements. If we internalize this change, perhaps we can take it quite personal when trying to improve for a better outcome. Change happens to us, disruption happens within us. Understanding the emotional impact and process of change and continuous improvement cycle will make the discomfort of a growth mindset less challenging to manage.

The next step is about learning from the experience and improving for the future. Reflecting on what worked well and what didn’t, both in terms of the solution and the team dynamics, is essential. Encourage open discussions where feedback is shared constructively (like in retrospectives), and lessons are learned collectively. This fosters a culture of continuous improvement and resilience.

Para mejorar las habilidades de resolución de problemas desde la inteligencia emocional, practica la autoconciencia identificando emociones asociadas al problema. Usa la empatía al comprender perspectivas diversas, fomentando la colaboración. Desarrolla la automotivación para mantener la perseverancia y la creatividad en la búsqueda de soluciones. Utiliza la regulación emocional para manejar el estrés y mantener un enfoque claro. Integrar la inteligencia emocional en la resolución de problemas potencia la eficacia y la armonía en las interacciones.

Además, cultiva la habilidad de reconocer las emociones de los demás, promoviendo un ambiente colaborativo. Fomenta la comunicación efectiva, expresando tus ideas con empatía y escuchando activamente. Practica la paciencia para permitir el proceso de resolución sin apresuramientos. La adaptabilidad también es clave; sé flexible ante cambios en las circunstancias y ajusta tu enfoque según sea necesario. Integrar estas dimensiones de la inteligencia emocional en la resolución de problemas no solo mejora la eficacia, sino que también fortalece las relaciones y promueve un entorno de trabajo positivo.