It’s inevitable. Problems are going to happen in the workplace. It’s how leaders and team members approach them that makes all the difference. And trying to solve new problems using old solutions isn’t the answer. That’s why creative problem solving (CPS) is a such a vital skill to prioritize and develop. It fosters innovation, encourages brainstorming and approaches issues from a fresh perspective. In our last article, we looked at many of the reasons why CPS is a benefit for any organization. But how do leaders and teams get started if this is a relatively new concept and way of approaching problems?

The CPS process can be broken down into 7 steps:

1. Identify the goal: Before solving a problem, you need to understand the problem. Take some time to analyze the conflict and clear up any confusion. Did you misunderstand some details or overlook something? Clarity is key.
2. Gather data. Once you know what the problem is, you need to learn all about it. Gather all the information you can to gain a better understanding of the issue and to solve it. For example, who is involved in solving the issue? Who does it affect?

3. Ask challenging questions. After you’ve gathered details, turn the problem into a question. Be sure to phrase the question in a way that encourages suggestions and ideas. Questions should be short, concise and only focus on a single issue. Trying to tackle too much only leads to frustration and feeling overwhelmed.

4. Explore ideas. Now the brainstorming begins and the creativity really starts to flow as you create possible ideas and solutions. With so many ideas being thrown around, it’s crucial that you write each one down—even they seem a little stupid! Trying to sort out bad ideas from good ones during this step can squash creativity.

5. Come up with solutions. Evaluating each idea will help you zero in on the best solution and weed out the less effective ideas. See if the possible solution actually solves the problem and if you can implement it successfully. If it doesn’t resolve the issue, move on to the next idea.

6. Create an action plan. Now that you have a solution, it’s time to create an action plan outlining steps for implementation. Think about what resources you’ll need, how long it will take and document everything clearly. Once you create the plan, communicate it to the rest of the team so everyone is on the same page.

7. Take action. Now that your plan is created and your team on board, it’s time to implement your solution and resolve the problem. Then, take a step back, look at what worked, what could have been done better and document ideas for the next time.

Dealing with problems in the workplace is a fact of life, yet so many us are conflict-averse. It’s human nature! But learning the CPS process can make a big difference in how both leaders and team members face hurdles and come out stronger on the other side. It takes training to build these skills and that’s where Leah M Joppy and Associates can help. We work with both leaders and team members to learn how to approach problem solving in a fresh, creative way that builds trust, innovation and a new perspective. It’s an investment that pays off in a big way for your organization.

Ready to learn more? Contact us at 301-670-0051 or email us at leah@lmja.com to learn more.