No matter what field or industry you’re in, there is one thing you can count on, and that’s; problems will arise. Generally speaking, every day, in every field, and most likely every business, there are problems happening. Is it ideal? Honestly, it’s far from ideal, but it’s just going to happen anyway. But what makes a major difference, a huge impact to the point of major reliance would be the problem solvers. In a way, everyone is a problem solver, and everyone is expected to be a problem solver too.
However, the ones that stand out are the ones who are constantly implementing critical thinking. They eventually become the go-to person, and you can say that they’re highly regarded in beloved; in fact, plenty even becomes experts in their field. So, is this something you’re interested in? No matter what industry you’re in, here are some ways to become a better problem solver!
Start By Being Openly Minded
One of the most important things you can do to be a good problem solver is to remain open-minded. This can mean a variety of things, from trying new foods to listening to people with polar opposite political views. It’s also crucial to stay open-minded during the problem-solving process, particularly when brainstorming solutions. A closed mind could lead to quick band-aid fixes that don’t actually address the root of the issue. Becoming a good problem solver takes time, practice, and patience—but it’s a skill that is well worth developing!
Persistence is Key
Chances are, you probably know this one since it’s taught to children at a very young age. Well, even when reaching adulthood, this is still considered to be super important. Regardless of the size or severity of a problem, an effective problem solver perseveres in thought, decision-making, and action. They know that if they remain curious, they will eventually spot an angle to overcome whatever challenges they are facing.
But there can be a double edge sword, as sometimes being persistent can be seen as unprofessional. But it’s really about how you display your persistence. In addition, an effective problem solver takes the time to map out every step of a process in order to understand how each component fits together. This helps them identify areas that may be broken or inefficient. In the end, you can expect a rewarding career with the help of staying persistent.
Stay Proactive
This is one of the biggest things that helps make a person be recognised in their field as a problem solver. Rather than waiting for problems to arise, proactive employees take the initiative to anticipate challenges and work around them. Using their observation skills, they recognize patterns in routines, daily practices, and natural cycles to predict what could happen and how that might impact their work. They also ask for advice or input from others to help them solve the problem at hand. This shows they are not afraid to seek assistance, which is a trait that employers value in their problem-solvers.
But you have to know about what limitations you have too. Everyone has their limitations, and these shouldn’t even be seen as a weakness either. This is something you’ll learn about if you take the online Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt course. In the end, think about what you can and can’t do. The last thing you need is to experience any sort of burnout.
Allow Your Creativity to Flourish
No matter what, you should always allow your creativity to step in. Creative problem-solvers come up with novel solutions to arising challenges. They are often sought after by employers, as they can help solve issues quickly and turn them into positive situations. One of the best ways to become a better problem-solver is to practice and practice using different methods- which is where creativity steps in. Just think about it; thinking outside the box will most likely garner more accomplishments and more ways to solve this issue that’s at hand. This is why it is essential to take the time to find out what caused the problem.
Focus on Being Detailed-Oriented
This is something that’s pretty obvious, but why not consider paying close attention to detail? Sometimes, even the smallest of details can help make a massive difference. All of those small little problems can add up and make a massive difference. So you’re going to want to keep an eye out for all of these.
There’s Nothing Wrong with Asking Questions
The key to becoming a good problem solver is being able to ask the right questions. Whether you’re in a meeting where ideas are tossed around but never really fleshed out or you’re facing an obstacle that seems unsurmountable, asking questions can help you zero in on a solution. Effective questions are thought-provoking and open-ended.
They often start with “What?” or “How?” rather than “Why.” Asking more questions also allows you to hear feedback from your colleagues, which is important for brainstorming solutions. Besides, if you don’t have all of the information anyways, how are you even going to be expected to solve it? Asking questions allows you the chance to communicate, which is also going to help.
Perseverance Can Get You Far
Generally speaking, this is a major factor that will get nearly anyone fairly far in their career. Often, the most effective solutions are not immediately apparent. It takes time to analyze, evaluate and monitor results. It also requires a willingness to receive feedback and determination to see the solution through. Overall, this is going to get you far in solving issues and in your career overall.
Allow Collaboration
While there are some folks who believe they can handle everything themselves, sometimes this just isn’t the case, and you’re going to need that help from others. Besides, in the work world, collaboration is essentially a requirement now. One of the best ways to improve problem-solving is by collaborating. Teamwork enables creativity, efficiency, and innovation. And it’s a critical skill that should be baked into all projects and initiatives.
Being collaborative requires openness to others’ ideas and the willingness to try different approaches to a situation. It also helps to have persistence so that you keep trying new solutions until you find the right one. Can there be issues with collaboration? Absolutely, but in the end, if you want to be that go-to person, you’ll need to put this into consideration.
This is a collaborative post and may contain affiliate links