Problem solving and decision making

Problems can be:

• short-term

• medium-term

• long-term

• All three

To solve a problem you must first:

• analyse the rpoblem

• generate potential solutions

• take action

• define the problem

Leaders must:

• seek to resolve the problem themselves

• seek to resove the problem quickly

• support those closest to problem to determine their own solutions

Creative thinking is:

• drawing the solutions

• takes too long

• airy fairy

• open ended, divergent and imaginative

Critical thinking is:

• very negative

• too logical

• involves analysing and developing possibilities

• only looks at the facts

Cognitive biases are:

• lack of IQ

• Lack of EQ

• distortions in the way we perceive reality

• favouritism

Problem solving is a:

• skill for managers

• skill inherent in everyone

• impossibility for some people

• only for very experienced people

When analysing problems, you must:

• why?

• when?

• where?

• ask yourself and others all three

When generating potential solutions, it is a good idea to:

• ask everyone involved

• have a mixture of 'right' and 'left' brain thinkers

• provide solutions that are quick fixes

• narrow the solutions to a few

Once the solution has been put in place:

• it should solve the problem

• review the solution at the timeframe specified

• stick to the solution steadfastly

• continually observe and feedback using the success indicators in the action plan