What do you do if your problem-solving processes and outcomes lack impact?

1 Assess your problem-solving approach

To improve your problem-solving impact, it is essential to evaluate your current approach. Consider how you define, analyze, and solve problems, what tools, methods, and frameworks you use, and how you measure and monitor your progress and outcomes. Ask yourself if you are using a systematic and structured process or relying on intuition and guesswork. Think about if you are considering multiple perspectives or biased and narrow-minded. Determine if you are generating and testing various alternatives or settling for the first or easiest solution. Reflect on whether you are aligning your solutions with your goals, values, and vision or compromising or conflicting with them. Examine if you are adapting and learning from your feedback, results, and mistakes or repeating or ignoring them. By answering these questions, you can pinpoint your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the gaps and opportunities for improvement in your problem-solving approach.

3 Simplify your problem-solving communication

The third step to improve your problem-solving impact is to simplify your problem-solving communication. Communication involves conveying your problem and solution to stakeholders in a clear, concise, and compelling way, which can be done verbally, written, visually, or digitally. To simplify communication, opt for plain language over jargon and acronyms, use concrete and specific examples or stories rather than abstract or vague concepts, use visual aids such as charts or images instead of text-heavy slides, structure your problem-solving story using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), and highlight the value of your problem-solving with the WIIFM principle (What's In It For Me). By simplifying your problem-solving communication in these ways, you can increase clarity, understanding, and persuasion.

4 Review your problem-solving impact

The fourth step to improve your problem-solving impact is to review the effect or influence of your problem and solution on stakeholders and the environment. Impact can be measured by indicators such as customer satisfaction, employee engagement, revenue, quality, and social responsibility. To review your problem-solving impact, you can define objectives, outcomes, and metrics; collect and analyze data and evidence; compare results with expectations; recognize successes and achievements; and address challenges and issues. By reviewing your problem-solving impact, you can demonstrate accountability, effectiveness, and improvement.

5 Learn from other problem-solvers

The fifth step to improve your problem-solving impact is to learn from other problem-solvers. These are the people who have solved similar or different problems in the past or present, in your field or industry, or in other domains or disciplines. By learning from them, you can discover new or better ways of defining, analyzing, and solving problems, as well as adopt or adapt proven or innovative tools, methods, and frameworks. You can also benchmark or emulate best or emerging practices and standards, while avoiding or overcoming common or unique pitfalls and challenges. To gain this knowledge and skillset, you can read books, articles, or blogs; watch videos, podcasts, or webinars; attend courses, workshops, or seminars; join networks, communities, or forums; and seek mentors, coaches, or experts. Ultimately, by learning from other problem-solvers you can boost your problem-solving confidence, competence, and creativity.

6 Develop a problem-solving mindset

The sixth and final step to improve your problem-solving impact is to develop a problem-solving mindset. This way of thinking and acting involves having attitudes, beliefs, and habits such as curiosity, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and resilience. To cultivate your problem-solving mindset, you should challenge yourself to solve problems regularly and systematically, seek feedback from your experiences and outcomes, reflect and improve on your approach and communication, appreciate and reward yourself and others for efforts and achievements, and enjoy the journey and process. Having a problem-solving mindset can help you grow your problem-solving passion and motivation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?