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 Businesses have all kinds of problems, and people love to point them out.
When I first started as a writer/editor, I noticed an ongoing ritual—folks lining up in the hallway to complain to the editor in chief about this or that. He was surrounded by problem people.
I decided to be a solution person.
If I encountered a problem, I would come up with three suggested ways to fix it. I would present the problem and outline the three solutions. As I spoke, I could visibly see his blood-pressure going down. He would choose one of my solutions—or offer another of his own—and I’d enact it. We’d both walk away happy.
And I quickly got promoted.
Problem people tend to have doors slam in their faces. Solution people tend to have doors open for them.
How can I be a solution person?
1. Take initiative.
People who gripe about problems feel someone else ought to fix them. People who solve problems figure out ways they can be fixed.
2. Think from the other person’s perspective.
You might think the problem is workload—some people do everything and others just sit around. From your boss’s perspective, the problem might be morale—some people are burned out (from doing everything), and some are troublemakers (because they are bored). Start with your boss’s perspective (morale), and then show that the cause might well be what you perceive as the problem (workload).
3. Study the problem.
Figure out the causes and effects. Then ask yourself, “How can we eliminate this cause? How can we lessen these effects?” Each answer you come up with might lead to a potential solution. For example, if the unequal workload results from lack of experience or skill, training those folks could fix the problem. If it comes from micromanaging overachievers, shifting them to solo projects could solve the problem.
4. Flesh out multiple solutions.
Each solution needs to target one or more causes or effects of the problem. Answer the 5 W’s and H about them:
- Who will enact this solution?
- What will they do?
- When and where will they do it?
- Why will this solve the problem?
- How will they do it? (How long will it take? How much will it cost?)
Communicate your ideas to the stakeholder(s). Quickly outline the problem, its causes, and its effects. Offer your solutions. Explain briefly how each works, possibly with pros and cons.
Let the deciders decide. Whether the person chooses one (or more) of your solutions—or suggests another solution—the problem will get addressed. And you’ll get at least some of the credit.
Does this work with clients, too?
Clients and customers have problems, too. Helping solve those problems makes you a key and trusted resource.
Think of how most commercials are structured. They identify a problem that viewers have and offer a solution. Hungry? Get a pizza delivered. Need a job? Visit JobMarket.com. Bald? Try ManTurf. Within 30 seconds, advertisers have pivoted from your problem to their solution.
In fact, this approach works with most anyone, from people watching TV to grandmas needing help with yard work to CEOs looking for someone who can run operations while they head to Fiji. It is a strategy for clever industrious people who are looking to get ahead.
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