Your team is struggling with problem-solving. How can you help them develop their skills?

1 Identify the problem

The first step is to clearly define the problem that needs to be solved. You can use the 5W1H method to ask who, what, when, where, why, and how questions to gather relevant information and understand the root cause of the issue. For example, if your problem is low customer satisfaction, you can ask who are the dissatisfied customers, what are their complaints, when did they occur, where did they happen, why did they happen, and how can they be prevented or resolved.

2 Generate ideas

The next step is to brainstorm possible solutions to the problem. You can use various techniques to stimulate creativity and encourage divergent thinking, such as mind mapping, SCAMPER, or six thinking hats. The goal is to generate as many ideas as possible, without judging or filtering them. You can also involve your team members in the brainstorming process, as they may have different perspectives and insights that can enrich the pool of ideas.

3 Evaluate options

The third step is to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of the ideas generated in the previous step. You can use criteria such as cost, time, resources, impact, and risk to compare and rank the options. You can also use tools such as SWOT analysis, decision matrix, or pros and cons list to help you make an informed decision. You should also seek feedback from your team members and other stakeholders, such as customers or suppliers, to validate your assumptions and test your solutions.

4 Implement solutions

The fourth step is to implement the chosen solution and monitor its results. You should plan the actions, responsibilities, and timelines for each task and communicate them clearly to your team members. You should also establish the indicators and methods to measure the outcomes and evaluate the success of the solution. You should also be prepared to adapt and adjust your solution if necessary, based on the feedback and data you collect.

5 Learn from experience

The final step is to learn from the problem-solving process and improve your skills for the future. You should reflect on what worked well and what did not, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of your approach. You should also document and share your findings and best practices with your team members and other managers, and celebrate your achievements and learnings. You should also seek opportunities to apply your problem-solving skills to new challenges and situations, and keep learning and growing as a hospitality manager.

6 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?