Takes Initiative

• Run a social event for your organization.
• Deal with a business crisis.
• Complete a project with a tight deadline.
• Supervise the purchase of a product, program, equipment, or system.
• Take on an “undoable” project (the last person who tried it failed).
• Conduct an after action review (lessons learned) on a failed project and/or a successful project.  What worked?  What didn’t work?  What are the differences?
• Do a problem prevention analysis.
• Start doing brainteasers. This will stimulate different types of thinking that can be helpful in problem-solving.
• Solicit input from those closest to the problem.
• In the problem identification phase and the solution generating phase, generate as many solutions to the problem as possible.  Think “outside of the box.”
• Evaluate your strategic-thinking skills (Successful Manager’s Handbook by Personnel Decisions International).
• Before making an important decision, develop criteria for making the decision.
• Include others in brainstorming solutions. They can be people involved in the entire project/task, those involved at different points, or those not involved at all.
• Put a timeframe on the problem-solving. Develop a plan with specific dates that a solution has to be found.
• Get those involved in the problem together in a room, brainstorm possible solutions, identify areas of agreement, and discuss areas of disagreement. Determine a solution.
• Find a coach and mentor who can help you develop your problem-solving skills.
• Evaluate your recent decisions. How much time did you take? Did you gather enough information?  Was the decision consistent with your values?
• Diagnose the problem using a problem analysis matrix. Once you identify the cause of the problem, take the following steps:
  • Write down the cause.
  • Gather as much information as you can about the cause. If useful, develop a timeline or flowchart to help you “see” the information.
  • List possible solutions and outcomes.
  • Assess the risk associated with each solution.
  • Select a solution and implement.
  •  Monitor and measure progress. Make adjustments to the original solution