In a world of change, we are constantly being challenged with new problems which require different methods to solve effectively. Problems are very much at the center of what people do on a daily basis and thanks to technology, businesses are being disrupted with automation and artificial intelligence.
So what are the key traits of people who are problem solvers?
What can businesses do to identify such personnel?
Is Problem solving a quintessential part of any managerial role?
In this article we discuss candidate requirements which are conducive to problem solving.
In essence, there are 4 steps to solve a problem:
Defining the problem
Generating alternatives
Evaluation and selection of alternatives
Executing solutions
Companies must hire managers and employees who are not afraid of challenges and risks. It is important that during the interview process you identify the people who are willing to learn by solving complex problems and are not afraid to take on new projects and assignments.
Building a workforce of diverse backgrounds brings different breadth to an issue and thus has its advantages because you get different perspectives in relation to the tasks in discussion. When it comes to engaging new employees, it would be worthwhile to plan their training/education plan. Investing in the education of your staff ensures that they are equipped with the necessary skills to tackle the problems of the 21st century. In this regard it would make sense to provide training which focuses on leadership, creativity and innovation.
To enhance problem-solving skills, employees need to be tasked with projects that go beyond their comfort zone. In a world that is constantly evolving, tasks and the lessons learned are the key experiences which define their future careers taken to the next level.
