Developing Excellence
September 2006

No matter what you do in life – you are a problem solver. If you own a business, work as an employee, have children or are a human being – you will encounter problems and have to deal with them. The more efficiently you handle problems, the more excellence you will have in business and in life. Learning to solve problems effectively is a major key to business and professional success.

But problems are not fun to deal with. I do not like to have to confront co-workers or my spouse when problems arise. I don’t always like to deal with the problems in the neighborhood, community or in my own family. It takes work and it is often not comfortable to deal with problems – yet it is necessary.

There are times when I have chosen to stick my head in the sand and pretend the problem didn’t exist. This may work for a while but then the problem gets to the point where I have no choice but to pull my head out of the sand and deal with it.

But to be true to myself and my continued quest for daily excellence – I need to solve problems promptly and creatively while being respectful to all involved. Solving problems is not a natural or even comfortable process but it can be learned. By practicing problem solving skills and techniques any one of us can learn to solve problems and not dread doing so.

Before we can solve a problem, we must acknowledge that one exists.

One of the things I consistently do when confronted with a problem is to first look at all the things that are working with the project, relationship or

Problems do not have to be solved immediately. Often I have been in such a hurry to make things right and move on that I do not take the time necessary to really creatively solve and look at the problem. We can take the time we need to solve the problem the best way possible.

Taking action and taking the sometimes necessary risks to solve a problem can be scary. Fear often immobilizes us but that is the worst thing we can do. We need to take action once we have decided on a course. Movement is required in order to solve problems.

1. Identify. Identify the problem in one sentence or less. By narrowing down the problem to its simplest explanation – you are able to look at just the problem not all the others things that can with the problem.
2. Analyze causes. Write down three or four possible causes. This may help you come up with ideas for solving the problem later on.
3. Solutions. Write down three possible solutions to the problem. Spend some time thinking through each solution.
4. Choose. Select the best solution to the problem and write down possible ways to implement the solution.
5. Implement. Create an implementation plan and then take the necessary actions.
6. Get Accountable. Find someone to help hold you accountable for your part of the solution and help others involved with the problem create some accountability around the actions they need to take in order to solve the problem efficiently.
7. Revisit Outcome. When you have solved the problem to the best of your ability go back over the process. Analyze what worked, what didn’t and what you would do differently. Effective problem solving is an ongoing learning process. Be sure to use what you learned to help with future problem solving. And don’t forget to celebrate your success.

Words to use this month:

D – Decipher

E – Engage

V – Voice

E – Experiment

L – Learn

O – Overview

P – Ponder

“Have you got a problem? Do what you can where you are with what you've got.” Theodore Roosevelt

"How you think about a problem is more important than the problem itself - so always think positively.” Norman Vincent Peale

“Leaders are problem solvers by talent and temperament, and by choice.” Harlan Cleveland

“Most people spend more time and energy going around problems than in trying to solve them.” Henry Ford

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