© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Problem Solving For Supervisors

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Session Objectives Understand the important role problem- solving plays in your job Identify the basic steps in the problem- solving process Apply a variety of effective techniques to solve workplace problems

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Prequiz: True or False? Effective supervisors don’t experience workplace problems. It’s not a good idea to involve employees in problem-solving. You should solve problems in the order they arise. Most problems are solved by trial and error.

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Problem— n. an obstacle to achieving goals; a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solution. Got Problems? © BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408

Find a Solution! The biggest problem in the world could have been solved when it was small. —Lao Tzu The Way of Life “ ”

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Get Help Ask Tap Build Delegat e

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 The Impact of Input NEW IDEAS POSSIBILITIES SOLUTIONS ASSOCIATIONS

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Step 1: Identify the Problem Observe Define Stick to facts Ask questions

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Can live with consequences Can’t live with consequences Unusual Significant Not urgent Minor Routine Step 2: Prioritize TOP PRIORITY 2ND PRIORITY Urgent

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 What you need to know: Details Advice Causes Extent Multiple or related problems Step 3: Gather Information

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Step 4: Generate Possible Solutions Brainstorming— n. a group problem- solving technique that involves the spontaneous contribution of ideas from all members of the group

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Congratulations! You’ve got a Step 5: Select an Option CALCULATE CHOOSE TEST MONITOR IMPLEMENT DOCUMENT PRESENT

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Evaluate Listen AssessVerify Step 6: Follow Up and Encourage Feedback Anticipate

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Problem-Solving Process Do you understand: Importance of problem- solving? Where to look for help? Steps in the problem- solving process?

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Can You Solve This Problem? Connect the dots using four continuous lines

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 How About This Problem? Connect the dots using only three continuous lines

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Question #1 Answer #1 Question #2 Answer #2 Question #3 Answer #3 Question #4 Answer #4 Question #5 Answer #5 Ask Why 5 Times

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Problem Reversal Flip the question Opposite thinking Start with a solution

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Visual Approaches

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 More Helpful Techniques 1.Analogy 2.Reframe 3.Break down 4.Simplest solution 5.Sleep on it 6.Take a walk

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 FEAR OF MISTAKES ASSUMPTIONS Roadblocks to Successful Problem-Solving RUSHING

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Roadblocks to Successful Problem-Solving (cont.) GIVING UP DENIAL LACK OF CONFIDENCE BEING TOO LOGICAL

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Solving Recurring Problems What’s the real problem? How often does it occur? When does it occur? How bad is it? Use this template to solve recurring problems

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Solving Recurring Problems (cont.) Where does it occur? Who is involved? What information have you got? What additional/alternative steps must you take?

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Review F ocus attention and observe with an open mind I dentify the real problem eX amine the details I nvent a solution T est your solution

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 PROBLEM: How would you get the pear in the bottle? Put the Pear in the Bottle ?

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 SOLUTION: Grow the pear in the bottle! Put the Pear in the Bottle (cont.)

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Problem-Solving Techniques Do you understand: Problem-solving techniques? Roadblocks to successful problem- solving? How to solve recurring problems?

© BLR ® —Business & Legal Resources 1408 Key Points to Remember Problem-solving is an important part of your job. Your problem-solving skills have an impact on your career. Take advantage of input from others. You can solve any problem.