The Mindset of a Real Problem-Solver

Who are problem-solvers, what differs them from other people and why does every company want to get them? Is it possible to change your mind and become a perfect problem-solver in a short time? What characteristics should you possess to become one? Let's figure it out step by step.

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To define the mindset of a problem-solver, let’s look at their personal portrait. What characteristics can describe them? First of all, it’s great analytical skills. Such people use deep and detailed thinking to find the best possible solution, even if it takes a certain piece of time. They see a problem from different perspectives and include in their analysis the factors other people will overlook.?

The next important thing about them is creative thinking and lateral mindset. Effective problem solvers aren’t afraid of weird plans and great risks, they take a problem as an opportunity to improve and a motivation to find the right solution, even if it differs from everything they used to do before. This helps them to focus on growth and achieving results instead of the negative sides of the problem, which defines their next characteristics - high adaptability in ambiguous situations. Finally, they have enough persistence and resilience to try again and use other methods in case their first tactics fail.

System of Success

Some may think that problem-solving mindset is a special talent to search for and there is no way to learn it. Despite the common belief, it is not something inborn, but rather obtained through years of trials and experience. There is a special system of decision-making, which allows you to evaluate the problem, find the best possible solution and deliver it in a really short time. This system includes several steps:

1. Define the problem

Describe the problem as precisely as you can, find the root cause, set the appropriate level of threat and enumerate the consequences, both positive and negative ones. This will help you to see the issue from different sides and include all important factors.

2. List the possible solutions

Finding an appropriate solution lies in crossing out from the list those that don’t fit. Use imagination and don’t ignore even the most astonishing solutions, as it may come that among them will be the one you choose.?

3. Evaluate the options

The next step is comparing the pluses and minuses of each approach. Be attentive here and make sure you compare positives with positives and negatives with negatives: this is the most common mistake that ruins the whole analysis.

4. Choose the best solution

Ground your choice with facts, checking everything up attentively, then take a step back and evaluate all the options again from a new perspective - probably you will come to a completely different result. Here it’s good to ask your colleagues’ opinion: collective mind will detect the possible drawbacks and hidden benefits of the chosen solution.

5. Create and communicate an implementation plan

Write specifically what you will do step by step to overcome the situation, each point should be clear and short. Make sure everybody gets the plan right and don’t be afraid if it takes a certain time - a good plan will save you much more time in future.

In addition, according to McKinsey, employees who want to make this system work properly, improve their problem-solving skills and communication in risky situations should practice the following tips.

• Be ever-curious: when you come across a problem, try to awake your childish curiosity and ask yourself as many questions about it as possible
• Avoid ideal plans: tolerating of the proposed strategies ambiguity will help you to find the perfect solution much faster than striving for initial perfection
• Have a dragon-fly eye view: see any problem through the lenses of multiple aspects and opportunities
• Decide on the spot: be spontaneous from time to time to give your brain a breath of fresh air, new experience and different ideas
• Use collective intelligence: ask your team and especially those who are not in the room - together you will soon come to an interesting plan
• “Show and tell”: tell as many people as you can about the problem, show them the importance of finding a solution and persuade them to act

As you can see, becoming an effective problem solver is not so difficult if you start to train your brain, follow the listed advice and stick to the proposed system. If you want to find more about how to succeed as a company and build trust in your services, read our article How Can Software Development Company Earn a Good Reputation.