The 4 Most Effective Ways Leaders Solve
Problems
With as many problems as we are all faced with in our work and
life, it seems as if there is never enough time to solve each one without
dealing with some adversity along the way. Problems keep mounting so fast
that we find ourselves taking short-cuts to temporarily alleviate the tension
points – so we can move onto the next problem. In the process, we fail to solve
the core of each problem we are dealt; thus we continuously get caught in the
trap of a never-ending cycle that makes it difficult to find any real
resolutions. Sound familiar?
Problem
solving is the essence of what leaders exist to do. As leaders, the goal
is to minimize the occurrence of problems – which means we must be courageous
enough to tackle them head-on before circumstances force our hand. We
must be resilient in our quest to create and sustain momentum for the
organization and people we serve. But the reality of the workplace finds
us dealing with people that complicate matters with their corporate
politicking, self-promotion, power-plays and ploys, and envy. Silos, lack of
budgets and resources, and many other random acts or circumstances also make it
harder for people to be productive.
Competitors
equally create problems for us when they unexpectedly convert a long-standing
client, establish a new industry relationship, or launch a new product, brand
or corporate strategy. Mergers & acquisitions keep us on our
toes and further distract us from solving existing problems by creating new
ones.
As Karl Popper, one of the most influential 20thcentury philosophers of science, once eloquently
stated, “All life is problem solving.” I’ve often contended that the best leaders
are the best problem solvers. They have the patience to step back and see the
problem at-hand through broadened observation; circular vision. They see
around, beneath and beyond the problem itself. They see well-beyond the
obvious. The most effective leaders approach problems through a lens of
opportunity.
Leaders who lack this wisdom approach problems with linear vision
– thus only seeing the problem that lies directly in front of them and blocking
the possibilities that lie within the problem. As such, they never see the
totality of what the problem represents; that it can actually serve as an
enabler to improve existing best practices, protocols and standard operating
procedures for growing and competing in the marketplace. They never realize
that, in the end, all problems are the same – just packaged differently.
A leader
must never view a problem as a distraction, but rather as a strategic enabler
for continuous improvement and opportunities previously unseen.
When I launched my first
venture in the food industry, we had a problem with the adhesion of the labels
to the glass jar packaging of our products that affected nearly 20% of an
initial shipment. As circumstances would have it, this was the first
shipment to a new client that was “testing” our new products in 200 stores with
an opportunity to expand our distribution to over 2500 stores nationally.
Instead of panicking, we took a problem solving approach that involved
multiple steps and resulted in a full-blown change management effort with our
label supplier, manufacturer, trucking company and client. Rather than
viewing this problem simply as a hurdle that could potentially lose us the client,
we took proactive measures (and a financial investment) to show our new client
that we were capable of not only solving the problem – but earning their trust
by responding promptly and efficiently with a comprehensive step-by-step
incident report that included our change
management efforts.
This
experience taught us many lessons about our company and helped us to avoid many
unforeseen problems. The ROI from how we handled this problem helped open
our eyes to many elements that were previously being overlooked – and in the
long run it helped enable us to grow the business.
Whether you are a leader for a large corporation or a small
business owner, here are the four most effective ways to solve problems.
1. Transparent
Communication
Problem
solving requires transparent communication where everyone’s concerns and points
of view are freely expressed. I’ve seen one too many times how difficult it is
to get to the root of the matter in a timely manner when people do not
speak-up.
Yes,
communication is a fundamental necessity. That is why when those involved in
the problem would rather not express themselves – fearing they may threaten
their job and/or expose their own or someone else’s wrong-doing – the problem
solving process becomes a treasure hunt. Effective communication towards
problem solving happens because of a leader’s ability to facilitate an open
dialogue between people who trust her intentions and feel that they are in a
safe environment to share why they believe the problem happened as well as
specific solutions.
Once all voices have been heard and all points of view accounted
for, the leader (with her team) can collectively map-out a path toward a viable
and sustainable solution. As fundamental as communication may sound,
don’t ever assume that people are comfortable sharing what they really think. This is where a leader must trust herself
and her intuition enough to challenge
the team until accountability can be fairly enforced and a solution can
been reached.
2. Break Down
Silos
Transparent communication requires you to break down silos and
enable a boundary-less organization whose culture is focused on the betterment
of a healthier whole. Unnecessary silos invite hidden agendas rather than welcome efficient cross-functional collaboration and
problem solving.
Organizational silos are the root cause of most workplace problems
and are why many of them never get resolved. This is why today’s new workplace
must embrace an entrepreneurial spirit where employees can freely navigate and
cross-collaborate to connect the problem solving dots; where everyone can be a passionate explorer who knows their own workplace dot and its
intersections. When you know your workplace dot, you have a much greater sense of your sphere of influence. This is almost impossible
to gauge when you operate in silos that potentially keep you from having any
influence at all.
In a workplace where silos exist, problem solving is more difficult
because you are more likely dealing with self-promoters – rather
than team players fostered by a cross functional environment.. When
you operate in a siloed environment where everyone wants to be a star, it
becomes increasingly difficult to help make anything or anyone better. This is
when problem solving becomes a discouraging task.
Breaking down silos allows a leader to more easily engage their employees to get
their hands dirty and solve problems together. It becomes less about corporate
politicking and more about finding resolutions and making the organization
stronger.
3. Open-minded
People
Breaking
down silos and communication barriers requires people to be open-minded.
In the end, problem solving is about people working together to make the
organization and the people it serves better. Therefore, if you are stuck
working with people that are closed-minded, effective problem solving becomes a
long and winding road of misery.
There are many people in the workplace that enjoy creating
unnecessary chaos so that their inefficiencies are never exposed. These are the
types of people (loafers and leeches) that make it difficult for problems to
get solved because they slow the process down while trying to make themselves
look more important. Discover the lifters and high-potential leaders
within the organization and you will see examples of the benefits of being
open-minded and how this eventually leads to more innovation and initiative.
Open-minded people see beyond the obvious details before them and view risk as their best friend. They tackle problems head-on and
get on with the business of driving growth and innovation. Close-minded
employees turn things around to make it more about themselves and less about
what is required to convert a problem into a new opportunity.
With this
explanation in mind, carefully observe the actions of others the next time you
are dealt a real problem.
4. A Solid
Foundational Strategy
Without
strategy, change is merely substitution, not evolution. A solid strategy
must be implemented in order to solve any problem. Many leaders attempt
to dissect a problem rather than identify the strategy for change that lies
within the problem itself.
Effective
leaders that are comfortable with problem solving always know how to gather the
right people, resources, budget and knowledge from past experiences. They
inspire people to lift their game by making the problem solving process highly
collaborative; for them, it’s an opportunity to bring people closer together.
I’ve always believed that you don’t know the true potential and character of a
person until you see the way they solve problems.
Effective
leaders connect the dots and map-out a realistic plan of action in advance.
They have a strategy that serves as the foundation for how the problem will be
approached and managed. They anticipate the unexpected and utilize the
strengths of their people to assure the strategy leads to a sustainable
solution.
Never
shoot from the hip when problem solving. Avoid guessing. Take enough time to
step back and assess the situation and the opportunities that each problem
represents. Make the problem solving process more efficient by recognizing that
each problem has its own nuances that may require a distinct strategy towards a
viable resolution.
You know
that you have great leadership in your organization when problem solving
becomes a seamless process that enables the people and the organization to grow
and get better. If problem solving creates chaos, you may have a serious
leadership deficiency.
Problem
solving is the greatest enabler for growth and opportunity. This is why they
say failure serves as the greatest lesson in business and in life. Be the
leader that shows maturity, acts courageously, and requires accountability.
Applying each of these lessons can help you become a master problem
solver. Each experience teaches us all new things. Embrace problem solving and
the many unseen treasures it represents.
.jpg)
