One of the most common skill sets on a resume is problem-solving skills. It has become a cliche that everyone thinks he is adept at solving problems. To a large extent, everyone solves problems in one way or another- hence, they can claim the skill set. Many think about solving technical issues, which are more of a science than art, mechanical than systematic. I was guilty as charged before joining the program, even with a few years as a manager.
There is a systematic approach to solving problems, and this is an art I need to master as a manager. First, There is a saying that if you separate a text from its context, all that will remain is a con. Nothing means anything in itself except within the context of something. Understanding the context is critical to solving problems. This involves asking lots of right questions to understand the situation.
Another critical aspect of solving a problem is understanding what the problem is. So simple? What’s the big deal? Everybody knows what a problem is, isn’t it? Not so fast; many symptoms present themselves as a problem, and if you are not a strategic thinker, you may be treating the symptom and not the root cause. Have you spoken with someone who is ill before, and you asked, “What’s the problem?” they retorted without blinking “, I have malaria and typhoid”. Your further question, “how do you know you have malaria and typhoid” what do you think their response will be?- “I’m feeling headache, weak and have diarrhoea”. They just described a symptom because other types of ailment have similar symptoms. The same thing a business owner will likely tell you “I am not making a profit because my staff are underperforming, lazy, or the sales department is not doing well”. If you frame the question wrongly, you will solve the wrong problem, and the real problem will persist. Yes, you can treat malaria and typhoid or even fire all your salespeople, yet the problem might persist. Robert K. Greenleaf was right when he said, “What are you trying to do – one of the easiest to ask and most difficult to answer of questions.”
All these while, I have been that guy who says I have typhoid and malaria for every symptom that looks like typhoid and malaria. Have my decisions been right most times? Maybe! Just as someone became healed using malaria drugs for an illness that may be COVID. But guess what? The underlying problem will soon surface. This class made me cast my mind back to several decisions I have made in the past and celebrated the wins, but I can now link it back to another problem that came back a few months back. The reason is that I didn’t get to the root; I have cut down from the branches.
The learning experience is easily utilisable and applicable to everyday life. I have quickly seen my gaps and learned how to do it better; now I can tell myself, “go and sin no more”.
