Masterful Problem-Solving

Everyday in life we are faced with problems to be solved and decisions to make. Some choices are easy and some more complex and critical to get right. As entrepreneurs, we are the key decision-makers in our business. Having a proven process for making good decisions builds our confidence in the choices we make.

Today I’m going to share a system that I discovered in the book The EQ Edge, Emotional Intelligence and Your Success, by Steven J. Stein, PH.D and Howard E. Book, M.D.  I will paraphrase an approach to problem solving that is outlined in this book, and was researched and developed by psychologists Thomas D’Zurilla and Arthur Nezu.  

The next time you encounter a problem or have an important decision to make, practice this approach:

• State the case. Describe it as accurately and realistically as possible.  Try to see it from the other person’s point of view.
• Generate alternatives. Think of as many situations and approaches as possible to solve the problem. Don’t evaluate them – just brainstorm ideas.
• Evaluate each alternative. Look at each and consider the outcomes. Next prioritize them from best to least favourable.
• Choose the best option. Choose one knowing the risk involved. No one can predict success or failure with 100% certitude. Gain confidence knowing you took action based on sound information from the previous steps.
• Implement your solution. Press on without getting bogged down in what-ifs or maybe-we-should-haves. You may make an adjustment along the way, but resist the temptation to go back to square one. Give your strategy a chance to work. Congratulate yourself for moving forward.
• Assess the outcome. Evaluate if your solution has solved the problem. If is has great!  If not, begin the process again.

Having a systematic approach to problem solving is like having a roadmap to the solution.  Give this process a try the next time you have a critical decision to make and let us know how it worked for you!