Are you a problem solver? Are you flexible? Do you support risk taking? How well do you manage crisis situations? Supervisors and managers are continually tasked with addressing and solving workplace problems. At times this requires managing crisis situations and taking intelligent risks. Below are a few suggestions for effectively solving problems and managing crisis situations.
Problem Solving
Try to come up with at least two solutions to every issue or problem
Find out what's happening in Leesburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Use the pro vs. con analysis when considering solutions
Consider all facts, issues and perceptions that are relevant and dismiss those that aren’t
Find out what's happening in Leesburgfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Make sure the cost of the solution is less than the cost of the problem
Flexible
Break traditions that stifle new ideas or better ways of doing things
Be open-mined, listen and consider using the suggestions of others
Pull down the barriers to progression by squelching statements such as “We’ve tried that before”
Take a Risk
Establish guidelines for intelligent risk taking
Identify and communicate acceptable risk taking behavior to others
Use failure as a developmental experience for future improvements
Positive Crisis Management
Always approach a problem as a team. Allow everyone the opportunity to “own” a piece of the problem and contribute to the solution.
As leader of the team, critically assess your behavior and reaction to the situation. The team will be watching and follow suit.
Communicate, communicate, communicate; Use the 5/3 Status Briefing Rule – 5 minute updates at the beginning, middle and end of each day.
Have a Post-Mortem Celebration. Review what happened, identify key learning points and celebrate the accomplishment of successfully getting through it together.
“In life, change is inevitable. In business, change is vital.” Warren G. Bennis
