3 Simple Problem Solving Strategies: Step-by-Step

Ever been frustrated about a team member who shows great potential and a willingness to learn the technical aspects of their job, but their ability to problem solve and show initiative is limited? And you want to raise it with them, but you're concerned if you come down hard, they may get offended, take time off, or worse, leave; which you don't want to happen.

I hear you - when I experienced a similar scenario, it frustrated me too. However, what I did, was I decided to put effort into my own development and this taught me how to better manage any challenges that come my way. It taught me to identify the challenge first, figure out the solutions, test the solutions, systemise what worked, and then teach it to others. That’s when I noticed that my team began to gain the certainty they needed to succeed, through my setting the right example for them, they were then able to put the same strategy at work and handle any challenge that came their way.

Make no mistake of it - I would not be the leader I am today if I wasn't proactive about my personal and professional development. No ifs or buts about it!

In this article, I’m going to share three strategies to help you help your team become more solution-focused instead of problem-focused and find ways to solve any challenge that faces them.

If you’re just starting out as a leader, remember that 90% of effective leadership is your ability to lead yourself first. Leadership is not a ‘sometimes’ affair. Leadership is an ‘always’ thing that has to be done consistently, without exception.

Use these proven strategies and the best part is that they are so simple that you can start implementing them right away. Get ready for some serious growth and innovation!

Here’s a quick peek at the three strategies!

1. Identify the challenge
2. Generate three solutions
3. Test the solutions

Strategy #1: Identify the challenge

If it's one thing I've learned over the past 3 decades is that the ''problem is never the problem''. One of the most important Success Principles is to Know Your Outcome. And most people never solve their problems because they aren't clear on the outcome.

Here are some great questions you can ask:

1. What's the specific challenge/problem right now?
2. How is this a problem for you right now?
3. What is it that you're looking to achieve?

And by using these questions it gives them clarity and you are teaching the Success Principles - Know your outcome and You get what you focus on.

Strategy #2: Generate three solutions

Great people need great leadership no matter the challenge. A great leader never brings up the problem in the first place. They find ways to fix it. A follower, on the other hand, brings the problem and waits passively for someone to 'do something' about it. If someone comes to you with a problem, instead of solving it for them, get into the habit of asking them to come back when they have three solutions. Teach your people how to:

• ''Think''
• Be at cause and not at effect
• Think above the line and not below the line by blaming, justifying, and making up excuses
• Focus on the solution and not the problem

Equipping your team with the right tools, skills, and confidence, will help them to create an environment where people flourish and incredible results are commonplace.

Here are some great inductive thinking questions to help with brainstorming solutions:

1. What haven’t you considered, yet? What else?
2. Does it have to be this? What if it wasn’t? What else could it be?
3. How can we approach this differently?

Strategy #3: Test the solutions

From problem faced to problem solved. The concept of the PDCA Cycle was originally developed by Walter Shewhart.

I love using this model to test and measure and coordinate continuous improvement.

A great little model to use in your team meetings too, to help take stock of where your team is and then choose the appropriate tools and steps to get to where you need to be.

Here is a quick demo of PLAN-DO-CHECK-ACT

PLAN for changes to bring about improvement

DO changes designed to solve the problems 

CHECK  to see if changes are working

ACT to get the greatest benefit from changes

Develop your people and their leadership potential. Be sure to provide a structure of excellence that doesn't choke innovation, but encourages it!

Want a bonus strategy? Head to my podcast, RESET Your Thinking, to listen to the episode on above the line/below the line thinking, one of the strategies mentioned here and find out more about how you can move your people from effect to cause! CLICK HERE to access the Episode.