Here's how you can master the key problem-solving techniques as an executive.

Master key problem-solving techniques as an executive by: Critical Thinking: Evaluate information objectively, identify patterns, and anticipate potential challenges. Data-Driven Decision Making: Base decisions on thorough analysis of relevant data and metrics. Creative Brainstorming: Encourage innovative thinking and diverse perspectives to generate multiple solutions. Prioritization: Focus on the most impactful issues and allocate resources effectively. Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment, leveraging the expertise of your team. Continuous Improvement: Implement solutions, monitor outcomes, and refine strategies based on feedback and results.

This is a fundamental of pretty much anything you're trying to "solve". I believe that in order to properly respond to any type of issue, you need to answer the following questions: 1) is it really an issue? Maybe it's just some regular, but overestimated stuff happened; 2) who's involved? Every problem has a name - you just need to find it (as well as those who is partially or directly affected by this); 3) what areas and processes affected? 4) how fast this issue developed / developing and what consequences it might deliver? 5) in what timeframe and with what resources this issue could be solved? 6) how can you / others secure themselves from this issue to repeat in the future?

Deeply understanding a problem through research, leading to better solutions. Research can include interviewing, reading books and emails, analyzing financial data, searching your organization’s intranet, and organizing your findings, using disciplined thought processes to evaluate each possible solution. Besides listing their costs and benefits, you might apply deductive reasoning, game theory, and the rules of logic (including fallacies) to them. Applying emotional intelligence in order to improve your and your team members’ ability to think clearly. This requires you to recognize emotions in yourself and others, manage feelings, and channel emotions into useful work.

Sometimes, the causes of the problem can lie beyond your regular scope of responsibilities / relations, but indeed affect those directly or indirectly. So in order to properly identify the causes - you need to analyze multiple factor. I would recommend to go for basics and check the "classic" 4 legged management chair: 1) planning - lack of proper planning can cause long-term issues as well as something that will come up later on; 2) organization - if you have missteps, while organizing your team or some processes, you'll most likely face some issues later on; 3) motivation - let me know if I need to explain the obvious; 4) control - you either need to have a well-motivated delegation (in order to loosen some strings) or multi-layer control

Solutions often come right after clear determination of a cause / root of the problem. Based on what I just mentioned above, your solutions could be found within: 1) better planning - clear and understandable goals, well presented strategy with several milestones, tasks-delegation system etc.; 2) proper processes organization - who is doing what, when, how and why; 3) competitive, effective and adequate motivation - can bring miracles and solve many issues; 4) you don't need to tight all the strings, you just need to carefully control the flow and the outcome, adjusting it on the run.

Regardless of your job and industry, there are certain soft skills that are universally valued by employers. Problem solving is one of them, yet the ability to solve problems is not a skill that comes naturally to everyone. In fact, problem solving can be a very difficult skill to master. As the world of work becomes more complex and fast-moving, the ability to find the cause of complex problems then solve them will become increasingly vital.

Add Change Management. Solving problems involves change and that brings anxiety, uncertainty and doubt. Finding a good technical solution is only half the battle. The rest is helping people understand how the solution will benefit them.

It sounds simple, but many problems remain unsolved because there has not been a focused effort to really understand and identify the problem itself. For instance, think back to when you were in school. If you asked a teacher for help with a particular question you were struggling to answer, did they provide you with a solution straight away? Probably not. Instead, they likely firstly went over the question with you and talked about what it’s really asking you to ensure you are attempting to solve the right problem.