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Your ability
to
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communicate is the most important
skill you can develop to get on to the
fast track in
your career. Perhaps the most important thing you do in
business is to
solve problems and
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make decisions,
both by yourself and
with other people.
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Problem Solving Strategies:
4 Levels
Use a Systematic Process
A major type
of communication in the business organization is
meetings for problem
solving and
decision making. The key to effective problem solving and
decision making discussions, is for you to all go through the process
systematically.
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Brainstorming:
10 Rules
Define the Problem Clearly
Right at the
beginning, you ask the question, "What exactly is the
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problem?" Clarity of
definition will resolve 50% of the issues before they go any further.
Focus on the Future
When
discussing a problem, be sure to focus on the future over the past. Ask the
question, "Where do we go from here? What do we do from here? What are our
options for the future?" Too many problem-solving discussions end up
focusing all of the attention of all the people present on what happened in
the past and who is to blame. The
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effective executive uses this type of
communication to focus on where the company and the individuals are going,
and what can happen in the future ‒ the only part of the equation over which
anyone has any control.
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Turn Problems to Opportunities:
6 Tips
Talk About the Solutions
A second
element in effective problem solving communications, is for you to talk
about the solutions instead of talking about the problems. It is for you to
keep the attention of the individuals in the meeting focused on the possible
solutions and what can be done rather than what has already happened.
Release Creativity
The
discussion of solutions is inherently positive, uplifting and has a tendency
to
release
creativity amongst the group.
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Team Creativity ●
"Garden" & "Kitchen" Ideation Process
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Spiral Integration of Ideas (SPIN)
A discussion of problems is inherently
negative, demotivating and tends to inhibit
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creativity.
Think Positively
You can
become a
positive
thinker simply by becoming
a solution-oriented person
rather than a problem-oriented person. If you get everyone in your
organization
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thinking and talking in terms of solutions, you will be
astonished at the quality and quantity of ideas that will emerge.
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Positive Thinking: 5 Benefits
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Action Exercises
Now, here are two things you can immediately to become a better problem
solver and decision maker.
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Take
some time to be absolutely clear about the problem that is under
discussion. Give some thought to what an ideal decision or solution
would accomplish. Instead of focusing on the situation as it is, talk
about the situation as you would like it to be.
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Keep the
conversation focused on solutions, on what can be done in the future.
The more you think and talk about solutions, the more positive and
creative everyone will be and the better ideas you will come up with.
>>>
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6 Mindsets of a Great Achiever
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