Developing essential professional skills can be the very thing that sets someone up for success. And when it comes to working in a professional business context, the ability to problem-solve is very important. There are a lot of different ways in which problem-solving can be enhanced. One way is through increasing one’s knowledge of different types of problems and how to solve them. Another way is through practicing problem-solving with different types of problems. Yet another way is through being able to “think on one’s feet” when situations that require problem-solving arise.
Problem-solving is a critical workplace competency in today’s fast-paced, ever-changing business environment. One could even make the case that effective problem-solving is the number one soft skill that companies seek when hiring (Sagers, 2017). But what, exactly, does problem-solving entail? And can this “competency” (for lack of a better word) be broken down into the kind of reliable, teachable “components” (for lack of a better word) that we can actually assess for and, if need be, develop in our students and employees? The answer to both questions is a resounding “Yes!” in this guide.
The objective evaluation of information requires critical thinking.
The capacity to reason is one of the skills that define successful people. Everybody needs to make decisions and solve problems every day. But what should we base our decisions on? When thinking in any situation, you should always seek to be as objective as possible. We should make judgments after considering both sides and, if possible, some of the sides we aren’t even hearing. Good critical thinkers look for the biases and the weak points on all sides of the argument before forming a conclusion.
To develop the intellect’s finest capacity, you must practice really using it, which means engaging in open, unafraid, and intellectually stimulating conversation and, as often as possible, doing so across differences: differences of opinion, differences in the way lives are lived, and differences in the expression of those opinions and lives. In conversation, one’s mind often is stimulated and stretched by exposure to new ideas, alternative points of view, hotly contested debates, and the sharp thinking such debates require. But few people in conversation push their own boundaries—or have their boundaries pushed in the service of stretching their minds—across these kinds of differences.
One of the most useful skills anyone can develop is the skill of analyzing information. Analyzing information is so useful because it allows a person to recognize patterns and relationships between pieces of data. Analyzing information also allows a person to develop a “big picture” understanding of a problem, and to use that problem understanding to develop good solutions. Of course, not everyone has the same natural aptitude for analyzing information, but it is a skill that anyone can develop at any stage of life. And developing it is well worth the effort because often the quality of a solution to a problem is directly related to the quality of the analysis that was done to understand the problem.
Being able to carefully look into something, break a complex issue down into smaller components, and figure out why it’s happening is a really important part of using your mind well for all sorts of tasks. It’s the sort of thing people do when they’re troubleshooting, whether it’s a worn-out kitchen appliance or a social malaise.
Developing analytical skills entails having the ability to break down problems into parts that can be understood and solved. One way to do this is through SWOT analysis—looking at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in any given situation. Comprehensively evaluating the problem in this way is something that the best analysts do well. Another way to flex your analytical muscles is through working with data. Today, we are bombarded with all kinds of information at every turn. Understanding how to interpret that information, in its various forms, is crucial to improving your analytical abilities.
The act of thinking creatively can lead us down new and different paths of thought. Mostly, thinking is done “in the box.” That’s fine for a lot of everyday things, problems that have straightforward solutions and don’t require a lot of contemplation: what to wear, what to eat, what to do at work. Sometimes, though, we need to solve big, hairy, audacious problems that seemingly have no solution. For that kind of problem, “outside the box” thinking is usually required.
Having the skill to creatively think is like having the TV show, MacGyver, installed in your brain. You can usually see multiple options for accomplishing what you want to do and pick the best one. You think this way in part because you have a lot of practice; you are intrinsically a very good problem solver. This is often why people who are “creative” are also seen as very intelligent.
One way to encourage creative thought is to promote a mindset of curiosity and the willingness to take risks by trying out unusual approaches and solutions. Imagination is also stimulated by partaking in activities that have been shown to boost creativity, such as brainstorming, free writing, and daydreaming. Some people come up with fascinating and novel ideas while indulging in what are commonly viewed as “mindless” amusements. Of course, all this is much easier to say than to do; creative thought can be elusive.
The type of thinking you need to do in order to draw valid conclusions is called “logical reasoning.” This involves thinking in a consecutive, organized way (like a train). When you spot the first car of the train (i.e., the premises) and see the caboose (i.e., the conclusion) at the end, you can see if the whole thing makes logical sense. It is like putting the pieces of a well-assembled argument in the right place in order to get a clear, accurate train of thought.
The capacity for logical reasoning is the ability to take evidence and well-founded principles and form valid judgements and conclusions based on the genuine information they give us. It requires the sound use of two skills: analyzing information and pattern recognition. Pattern recognition, in terms of reasoning, is classifying or labeling specific elements and the relationships between them in a given problem, and being able to find what the problem is really about.
Puzzles are a good way to practice logical reasoning. When you solve them, you’re also developing your problem-solving abilities. And when you engage in any activity that makes you think in a systematic way, you’re also sharpening your logical skills.
Another good reason to do these sorts of activities is that they’re fun, and many people like doing them.
Develops the Skill of Problem Solving
Becoming an effective problem solver requires integrating several key skills and strategies. You need, first of all, to think clearly and coherently, to use reason and logic. But you also need to be a good critical thinker; that is, you mustn’t take anyone else’s assertion, no matter how alluring, as instantly true. You should analyze it with your own equipment. And you need to be creative. In this sense, problem-solving demands attributes associated with both left and right hemispheres of the brain.
When you have a problem, start by getting together and going over all the information you can find about it. Try to use your brains. Figure out what’s hurting most, and break it down into the smallest pieces you can. Be quite different, and think of every amazing solution you can—just be sure to keep in mind that ideas aren’t sacred. Nobody has to listen to your brainstorming. Nobody has to act on anything that comes out of it. Just think crazy. Then cool down. Look at all the solutions you’ve come up with that seem remotely possible. Go with the one that’s most likely to work and that’s most fruitful—to bring future gains.
Improvement that is constant and unfaltering and the act of honing a skill through repetition and effort. Also known as “Kaizen,” or the practice of regularly making small, incremental changes that lead to significant and sustainable improvement, Napoleon Hill said it best: “Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit.” And Thomas Edison echoed this sentiment when he declared, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
To construct problem-solving abilities that are effective and well-honed, it makes sense to pursue two paths: continuous practice and overall self-improvement. They work hand in hand, and the interesting thing is that you can often do both at the same time. You get better at problem solving by tackling more of them on a varied diet of problem types, and you also continually refine your skills by learning from what worked and what should have worked (but didn’t). When you can, add some formal professional development to your skill-building, and you may see even better results.
You can enhance and revise your skills in finding solutions to problems, and this will help you to be a better and more resourceful worker. When you have and keep the ability to handle difficulties and to make good choices, you come across as a more competent and confident person. By and large, the work world values the kind of person who can step up and make the most of a bad situation or, much better, who can gather people and resources and come up with a fresh and creative solution to a problem.
In conclusion, problem-solving skills hold an enormous amount of power. Those able to solve problems not only can tackle work projects with ease but also know how to handle life’s difficulties. How, then, does one become a problem-solver? Is it something some are just naturally inclined to do, or can anyone develop the skills? This chapter should have answered these questions and provided a good starting point for developing the skills. Solving problems is a mental process that can be learned and improved, and in this chapter, the reader should have learned some of the basics.
Today’s fast-paced business world requires everyone to possess good problem-solving abilities. Businesses are complex, and it takes multiple skill sets and perspectives to understand and solve the myriad challenges that arise. The days of working on problems alone are, for the most part, over. We now ask teams to “think critically” before making a decision. We’re working in what might be termed “the age of mind.” Our brains are what truly differentiate us, and they are also what enable us to solve the problems at hand. Develop and practice mind-expanding skills, and you’ll be paid well for your efforts.
