How can you use problem solving skills to get promoted?

2 Set SMART goals

The next step is to set SMART goals for developing and demonstrating your problem solving skills. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Your goals should be clear, realistic, and aligned with your career aspirations and the expectations of your organization. For example, you could set a goal to solve a recurring customer complaint within a month, or to propose a new process that reduces costs and errors by 10% within a quarter.

3 Learn and apply problem solving methods

The third step is to learn and apply problem solving methods that suit your context and objectives. There are many problem solving methods that you can use, such as brainstorming, root cause analysis, SWOT analysis, decision matrix, or PDCA cycle. You can find online resources, books, courses, or mentors that can teach you these methods and how to use them effectively. You should also practice applying them to real or hypothetical scenarios, and evaluate your results and feedback.

4 Showcase your problem solving skills

The fourth step is to showcase your problem solving skills to your managers and potential employers. You can do this by documenting and communicating your problem solving process and outcomes, using data, evidence, and examples. You can also highlight your problem solving skills in your resume, cover letter, portfolio, or interview, using the STAR method. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. You should describe a specific situation where you faced a problem, the task you had to accomplish, the action you took to solve it, and the result you achieved.

5 Seek feedback and improvement

The final step is to seek feedback and improvement on your problem solving skills. You can do this by asking for constructive criticism from your managers, peers, customers, or mentors, and listening to their suggestions and perspectives. You can also monitor and measure your progress and performance, using indicators such as customer satisfaction, quality, efficiency, or profitability. You should always be open to learning new skills, methods, and tools that can help you solve problems more effectively and creatively.