Have a problem and don't know how to solve it? 3 Steps to Effective Problem Solving!

Feb 19, 2022

The ability to effectively solve problems is one of the key attributes that distinguishes good leaders from average leaders. Being a successful leader doesn't mean you don't have any problems. Instead, it means you know how to effectively solve problems when they arise. There are many leaders who are promoted to management or leadership positions because they excel in the technical skills needed to get the job done. When these people find themselves suddenly needing to think from a manager's point of view and solve higher-level and far more complex problems, they need to change their mindset to solve the problem.

Step 1: Analyze the problem

Breaking the question into three stages can help you understand the urgency of the matter. The emergency phase is the phase where problems are just starting to occur. It does not pose a direct threat to the way businesses operate every day. You have enough time to correct it so it doesn't cause too much damage. In the mature stage, the problem has already done some damage, and you need to fix it immediately before the problem grows. The third stage is the crisis stage, where there is real damage to company processes, reputation, finances, etc. that will have a potential long-term impact on your business ability.

Step 2: Find the root cause

Find the source of the problem: what is causing the problem? Who is responsible for this problem? When did this problem first arise? Why is this happening? How did this discrepancy from the standard come about? Where does it hurt us the most? How do we go about solving this problem? Knowing where the root of the problem is and coming up with solutions that people can use for long-term benefit, rather than tackling the same problem over and over again.

Step 3: Pre-plan the solution

You can pre-plan solutions while implementing your plan, and you have backup options to salvage if things don't go according to plan.

These three simple steps will help you become an effective problem solver in your organization. As you keep repeating these steps, the steps will become more natural to you, until eventually you will use them unknowingly.