Develop Solutions BEFORE Asking for Help
Today we’re going to talk about developing solutions. Business owners understand that they need to come up with solutions to the challenges that face them and they are confident to do so.
Those acting like employees will come across a challenge and go straight to their boss or to someone else to come up with a solution.
Might I suggest that instead of going to others, act like a business owner and develop a possible solution yourself before you approach someone else?
Think about this: the person that you would like to ask for help is a busy, well-respected businessperson. If that were not true, you wouldn’t be seeking their advice. You have more information about the challenge that you are facing than they do. Come up with a at least two possible solutions BEFORE you ask for help.
At first, you may not be sure if they are good ideas. However, you will have done some original thinking and you will be able to get feedback on those ideas from someone you respect. AND…that individual will be impressed that you are thinking on your own, so you’ll get more recognition.
As you discuss your options with someone, they will help you decide which way to move forward. Maybe the best option IS one of your proposed solutions, and maybe it is something else.
Either way, you are actively engaged in the decision making process and you are learning. As you repeat this process, you will start to see patterns in the decisions being made, and your original ideas will continue to get stronger.
Soon, you won’t feel it’s necessary to ask for direction, and you will be making good decisions without the help of your superiors.
Now, you have more confidence and ownership in what you do, which means you’ll probably like it more. In addition, it’s now YOUR ideas and solutions that are impacting those around you.
And…talk about a quick way to receive recognition and a raise—you’ve just freed up your superior’s time!
Be Free!
Leah Simpson
Instructor
I agree with you entirely but the habit of finding solutions comes from delegation. We, as business owners and bosses hold on to decision making ourselves and expect people to become solution finders and decision makers when they get promoted overnight as managers.
It is equally the responsibility of the seniors to form a culture of delegation and solution finders.No?
Ashok Gupta, your friendly neighborhood VA
http://www.virtual-assistance-india.com
Do what you do best, outsource the rest-Peter Drucker
Comment by Ashok Gupta — December 9, 2009 @ 11:43 am
Interesting comment. I agree that creating a culture of respect for those who find solutions will only help to encourage more solution finding. And living and breathing the culture is certainly a large responsibility of owners and bosses. It remains true that the more individuals develop this habit, the more likely they are to feel ownership of what they do, AND to be promoted “overnight.” Of course, then it’s not really overnight, but rather receiving a position in line with their mentality and actions. A great example of BE-DO-HAVE. BE a decision maker and solution finder, DO the action of finding solutions and making decision, HAVE the title and responsibilies that reflect it.
Comment by Leah — December 10, 2009 @ 2:33 pm
This is probably the biggest distinction between someone with a business mentality and someone that has a “9 to 5″ mentality. The ones that see problems and automatically look for solutions are usually the ones that are either in high positions or owners of a company. While the ones with the “9 to 5″ mentality will see a problem and either complain about it or become dependent on someone else to solve the problem.
Comment by Sherman — December 10, 2009 @ 3:43 pm