Question

Introduction - Problem-Solving

Although everyone is confronted with problems, because leaders are connected to a larger system, problem solving can often have higher stakes for a group or organization. So, the ability to effectively solve problems is paramount for leaders. Effective problem solving has the opportunity to prevent damage, achieve a successful and productive outcome, refrain from negatively affecting others and in some cases positively affect others, and prevent a problem from reoccurring.

Vignette

Wendy is a part of the Homecoming Committee, and after months of detailed planning, it is one day away from the homecoming festivities. That day, the committee receives 1,000 homecoming shirts to sell the next day. The committee had borrowed $5,000 from student government to pre-pay for the shirts, knowing that they would be able to sell t hem and more than make up for the money they borrowed. Upon closer inspection of the shirt, Wendy, who was not on the shirt subcommittee, notices a subtle racial slur on the shirt as it relates to the other team's mascot. She finds out that the printing of the shirt was authorized by the chair of the subcommittee who had made some last-minute changes to the design on his own. She and others on the Homecoming Committee do not feel comfortable about selling the shirts. She pulls the entire committee together to brainstorm how to handle this problem. Should they not sell the shirts and fundraise all year to pay back Student Government, donate the shirts, cut them up, burn them in a bonfire, sell them anyway, or try to print new shirts? The committee realizes that this would be the first homecoming without T-shirts, so they need to find a way to sell shirts. After looking at all the pros and cons of each possibility, the committee determines that theya re going to reprint color over the slur on the T-shirts, and sell the shirts for $1 more to make up for the amount it would cost to have the T-shirt company send the shirts through another round of printing. The committee decides to make the best out of this situation by hosting a contest. When students purchase their shirts, they can write in any non-offensive, socially just words on the block of color on their shirts to personalize them. Then, the student who comes up with the most creative words wins a prize.

Consider

Understanding how to identify and examine a problem, develop and assess possible solutions, and select the most appropriate solution to the problem. (Knowledge)

Believing that the best solution to a problem is derived from careful identification and examination of a problem and its possible solutions. (Value)

Being able to identify and examine a problem, develop and assess possible solutions, and select the most appropriate solution to the problem. (Ability)

Identifying and examining a problem, developing and assessing possible solutions, and selecting the most appropriate solution to the problem. (Behavior)

(Seemiller, 2014)

Post your responses to the following questions and respond to the thoughts of two of your classmates:

1. Do you think that different problem types have different problem solving processes? Can problem solving models be applied to problems universally?

2. Think back to a time that you effectively solved a problem. What are some lessons learned or best-practices that you can use to address workplace and organizational problems?  

3. Think back to a time that you were not effective in solving a problem, what were some barriers that prevented you from being more effective? What could you have done differently?  

Answer 1

1. It is important to have the ability to solve problems by the employees and leaders to achieve successful productivity and prevent risks. Different problems should be solved by applying different solving procedures. Generally, problems can be tame, critical and wicked in the workplace. There are different strategies that are used in organizations to solve the problems. Applying algorithms, using a heuristic, and trial and error are the best three problem-solving methods that are widely used in the workplaces depending on the characteristics of the problems. The effective and right problem-solving model may have the ability to solve problems in every field universally.
2. There are 8 steps in the problem-solving practices that can help to solve any problem effectively. These are:

• Problem identification and definition: problem definition should be done in a precise and clear format.
• Problem measurement: measurement of the seriousness of the problem is important in the next step.
• Problem-solving goal set: setting a goal helps the team member to select the right path to solve the problem.
• Identification of the root of the problem: it is important to determine the root of the problem to understand whether the problem is in control or out of control by the team members.
• Best strategy selection: the selection of the best strategy can only be possible by analyzing other strategies also.
• Implementation of strategy: implementation strategy is important to obtain the solution.
• Result evaluation: after implementation, the outputs should be measured to understand whether the strategy is working well or not.
• Changes implementation: should be implied in the procedures by applying the new strategy to gain success.

3. Barriers stop individuals to think critically about the problem in order to get the solution. Key barriers are:

• Confirmation bias: this increase the complexity of the problem
• Mental blockage: prevents doing the assessment of the problem
• Unnecessary constraints: prevents creativity and critical thinking
• Irrelevant information: hinders problems rather solving them

These barriers can be erased by improving self-awareness practices. Self-awareness practices help individuals to overcome the cognitive barriers that come in front at the time of making the right decisions and solving the problems.