Becoming an effective critical thinker, with the skillset required to solve problems, takes a great deal of time and practice, before you can comfortably flag it as ‘superpower’. Crafting an effective solution requires you to remain positive and humble, whilst receptive for critiques from all interested parties. Your ability to actively listen to the opinions of others and acknowledge all the creative ideas during the cycle of solving a problem should always be an integral component, of your skillset.
Problem solving is the act of realizing a change is necessary and defining a problematic issue. Defining the issue must always include the determination of how or why the problem has occurred, so it cannot happen again in the future. Once consensus is agreed upon you can then identify, prioritize and select alternatives for a viable solution, and implement the most impressively sound solution, that fits within the organizational constraints or an individual’s capacity for change.
Your ability to solve the problem swiftly and effectively is usually the goal, due to organizational time restraints, your other responsibilities and the problem’s degree of urgency. Your capacity to solve a problem for yourself, your team, your organization or the individual you are supporting requires effective self-discipline, involving your ability to motivate yourself and other concerned parties, whilst maintaining one’s focus to develop a complete description of the problem, tease out the ’should be’ s’, and find an optimum solution. Your ability to know your personal strengths and weaknesses, whilst being accountable to yourself and others, will support your own growth of self-discipline. Remember to forgive yourself if more options are needed and reward yourself for any progress you make. So, finding a balance between discipline and self-compassion is desirable, whilst recognizing the need for patience and understanding, during the journey of solving a problem.
Becoming a successful problem solver will encourage you to change entrenched behaviours and out of date systems, into newly designed ways of effective action and feasible possibilities, whilst create exciting moments, for all the concerned parties to enjoy together. The IDEAL problem -solving model is an effective tool to enhance one’s critical thinking, whilst providing a systematic plan of attack, to achieve a goal and conquer any obstacles in the way. So, utilizing the acronym IDEAL, will keep you on task, whilst reducing any emotional dissonance that can be associated with solving problems and decision making.
I-IDENTIFY To solve a problem, you must first admit that one does exist and tease out the root cause. Outline the facts and the unknowns, whilst fostering a positive environment where all contributions from all interested parties are acknowledged and praised.
D-DEFINE AN OUTCOME OR GOAL Every problem will be different. Ultimately the goals you hope to achieve when problem solving will depend upon the unique scope of the problem and preferred outcome. Remember to stay positive, be flexible, articulate clearly and utilize the power of brainstorming.
E-EXPLORE POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS-Once you have defined the final goal, it’s time to start the process, focused on how you are going to obtain the outcome that is desired. One must first acknowledge that many problems have multiple possible solutions, whilst recognizing that there is not always one obvious choice. This stage is focused on exploring all the possible strategies, alternative approaches and viewpoints, creatively devised by the interested parties.
A-ACT Act on the strategies chosen and reflect upon its viability. If unsuccessful recall or modify toxic parts of solution.
L-LOOK BACK AND EVALUATE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUR PROBLEM-SOLVING TASK During this final step you reconsider and re-examine the result, whilst assessing the viability of the final product. Did you solve the problem?
Good problem solvers humbly recognize that solving a problem is more effective when many perspectives are gained, from all interested parties, rather than addressing it alone. So, reduce wasting your emotional energy on the long deliberation of difficult problems alone, and join with others, having fun brainstorming and exploring the creative powers of all concerned. Also, if you are finding a solution for a colleague’s personal issue, involve them in the process, if possible, whilst role modelling the skills. Your ability to teach others to solve problems has infinite possibilities for a person’s self-development. Embracing problem solving as your superpower will directly promote both your self-worth and your capacity to explore necessary changes in your workplace.