by Rick Baker
On Jul 25, 2014
Step 1 of 3: Identify the form of the Problem
Problems appear in three forms:
- The problems you perceive in the form of other People's thoughts, behaviours or actions...from non-action to argument to errors.
- The problems you perceive in the form of less-than-acceptable Processes...from flawed software to broken hammers to grinding gears.
- The problems you perceive when you face certain Situations...from new Situations to fearful Situations.
Note the repetition of the words "the problems you perceive". As the saying goes, One Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure...Problems are always in the minds of their beholders.
Step 2 of 3: Help People focus on solving the Problem
When problems arise many people experience negative thoughts and feelings. These negative mindsets cause them to waste energy (1) trying to identify and analyse where things went wrong and (2) trying to place the blame on other people or, even worse, trying to place the blame on inanimate objects. While there is value in identifying the roots of problems, in most non-emergency situations and many emergency situations that isn't something that needs to be done immediately. It is best to spend energy focusing on solutions rather than diluting energy by trying to focus on both solutions and causes. The side-benefit, not to be underestimated, is people feel more comfortable working on solutions than working on identifying causes or placing blame.
Step 3 of 3: Teach People how to learn from their Problems
The best way to help people learn from problems is to have a process for handling problems and make a practise of following that procedure until it becomes a skill. When people know a process will be followed to address problems and find solutions their anxieties are reduced. With less anxieties clouding their thoughts, people are able to focus, concentrate, and think with clarity. And, as a side benefit, their ability to remember increases.
Here is the process we use to teach People how to learn from their Problems...
7 Steps to Learning from Problems:
- A Problem Arises [100% guaranteed to happen...Identify them]
- STOP [focus attention - multi-tasking won’t work]
- Get Present – no ‘past regrets’, no ‘future worries’
- Be Thick Skinned – admit errors
- Be Objective – no fault, observe, ask questions & learn
- Talk & Walk P=2S+O
- Talk & Walk P=O2L
[About that P=O2L...every Problem provides an Opportunity to Learn...the smartest, most self-reliant, and most-successful people know this principle and put it to use.]