My 11 year old son, Connor, recently participated in a Future Problem Solvers state team competition, a part of the Future Problem Solving Program International (FPSPI) http://fpspi.org/
It’s interesting to see how 11 year olds view the world, and how they attempt to solve potential future problems. Kids lack the biases, experiences and assumptions that often get in the way of fresh thinking.
My son told me that one of their team practice sessions was really frustrating. “No one on the team could agree on the problem. Matt got his feelings hurt. He thought the team was rejecting his ideas because they didn’t like him. Sarah focused on silly details that didn’t matter. And Virginia kept bossing us around.” Hmmm. Sounds a bit like the adult work world.
The FPSPI Mission is: To develop the ability of young people globally to design and promote positive futures using critical, creative thinking.
Now more than ever, it’s imperative that not only young people, but people of all ages contemplate a positive future and build their problem solving skills to achieve important goals. Even the brightest minds need to continually test and tweak their problem solving methods.
What’s your problem solving process?
Every day, you’re working on problems in your business. What is the process that works for you? Is it the same for others in your organization? What happens when you see that the real problem has to do with the way the team is functioning?
At a time when many people are trying to solve the immediate problem of the day, it’s important to project your business into the future, to anticipate new problems that could arise…and not just your own problems, but those of your customers or the market you serve.
Here are some tips based on the Future Problem Solver method that might be helpful for adults to adopt:
- Identify the right problem. The process is not solely about solving problems. Build skill in identifying problems. The real problem may not always be obvious.
- View the problem through multiple lenses. In business, that could mean the lens of your customers, members, patients, clients, investors, employees, partners, affiliates and other stakeholders.
- Expand on the problem. Don’t be too quick to arrive at a solution. Play out different scenarios.
In my consulting and coaching work with executives, I frequently find that what they think are major problems in their own mind may not be as threatening in reality. At the same time, they may be missing major problems right under their nose.
Whatever problems you face, pay attention to your process for solving them.
Remember your role as a leader is not to solve all the problems yourself, but to help your team improve their own problem solving skills.
PS – To be most helpful, I'd like to know about the biggest leadership or business problem YOU'RE facing. To take a minute to let me know or to ask a question, please visit:
https://workmatters.com/askgayle/index.htm
On the Lighter Side
A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. ~ Herm Albright
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