How Can I be an Affective Problem Solver - Emotional Intelligence Part 4

As part of my deep dive into improving my Emotional Intelligence I wanted to focus on how one can improve their problem solving skills. Why are some people more capable than others? We all have that friend that just seems to know how to change a tyre, maybe fix a broken door handle? Or even fix a tech problem on the computer. That person always seems to have a broad knowledge of topics. Or is he/she simply good and problem solving? Is this something that can be solved and if so how can one improve their problem solving, no matter the task?

Ok enough questions let’s get into it.

Define the Problem

In the realm of effective problem solving the very stride to embark is to understand the problem. What is the topic. Remove the layers of the problem and find its nucleus. Disentangle the complex web. A shift occurs, the spotlight then goes from observing outside symptoms, to orchestrate a resolution. What is the crux of the issue?

Gather information 

Information is the thread to a coherent solution. The value of being well informed will directly correlate to the accuracy and effectiveness of your solutions. Armed with a comprehensive understanding will enable you to navigate the intricacies of the problem space. Much like a surgeon removing something malignant.

Analyze from different perspectives

Like seeing  puzzle from various angles. Each viewpoint offers unique insight. Imagine a snooker player walking around the table, getting multiple angles of his next shot, where he can place the cueball for his opponent to put him in the most difficulty, Putting yourself in the shoes of another and asking, what would be the worst place for him to play the next shot.

I also like this analogy from Strategic Search Solutions;

For effective problem solvers, standing in the other person’s shoes is more than a cute saying. It’s a fundamental way of looking at the problem from every perspective. This ability to shift perspectives quickly and easily is a key characteristic of effective problem solvers. As one especially capable consultant put it, “I take the other fellow’s position, and then I expand upon it until I understand it better than he does”.

Brain storm 

You can do it by yourself. In brain storming there is a steady flow of thoughts creating a fertile ground for novel concepts to sprout and flourish. Even if unconventional ideas come to the front that can be leveraged. Also it unites people in a common goal, having more than one person to brain storm together galvanizes the team and the problem can be reached quicker and more efficiently

Prioritise solutions

After a roster of solutions, you then have to put it through several pivotal criteria. You have to shortlist the best ones. Feasibility, potential impact and alignment with your potential objective.

Use Critical Thinking 

Take in to consideration risk assessment . envision the potential pitfalls that might arise during the execution of each solution. Be the chess master when it comes to solving problems. Think several moves ahead. Pros, Cons, Risks, Etc

Draw from past experience

You have experience. But do you have experience like your elders or your peers? Ronnie O Sullivan is one of the best Snooker players that ever picked up a cue, but he still needed 6 World Championship winner Ray Reardon to teach him how to be impenetrable.

Learn continuously

Skill augmentation. You need to absorb more information and be thirsty for it. Your mental tool kit expands with the greater knowledge you have. This will also require you to enhance your listening skills which I will cover in a future post.

Be optimistic and persevere

So many people give up on a problem halfway through because it becomes tough. Or it seems like the challenge cannot be overcome. If you bring a negative mindset into solving a problem, you have lost half the battle and will easily succumb to kicking it down the road the minute things get tough. I like this quote from Resultant;

Fearless problem solvers believe in the availability of an exceptional solution for every challenge and work toward it with optimism and enthusiasm.

Sources

For more strategies on how to improve your listening skills I recommend you check out the Video, 15 Strategies to Improve Your Problem Solving Skills by Alux.

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·       Eliminate the fear of failure to embrace creativeness, time management skills and brainstorm yourself.