Improve Your Problem Solving Skills

Summary

This video emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and decision-making as critical skills for success. It presents a seven-step method to effectively tackle any problem: 1) Define the problem clearly, 2) Identify possible causes, 3) Generate potential solutions, 4) Make a decision, 5) Assign responsibility, 6) Set a reporting schedule and standards, and 7) Take action. The video highlights that those who excel at problem-solving tend to earn more and advance faster in their careers. With practice, these skills can be developed to achieve better outcomes in both personal and professional life.

Takeaways

• 🔍 Define the problem clearly by gathering real facts, not just apparent or obvious ones.
• ❓ Identify all possible causes of the problem to understand why it happened.
• 💡 Generate as many potential solutions as possible to increase the chance of finding the ideal solution.
• ✔️ Make a decision quickly, as most problems can be solved immediately.
• 🗂 Assign responsibility for implementing the decision, specifying who will do what and when.
• ⏳ Set a schedule for reporting progress and establishing standards for measuring success.
• 🎯 Ensure someone takes action to implement the solution and resolve the issue.
• 🚀 Focusing on solutions makes you smarter and more effective at problem-solving.
• 💼 Skilled problem solvers are often the highest-paid and most rapidly promoted individuals in organizations.
• 🧠 Problem-solving is a learnable skill that can be developed through practice and mental discipline.

Q & A

What is one of the most important qualities of leaders and effective people?

One of the most important qualities of leaders and effective people is the ability to solve problems and make good decisions that lead to better results.

Why is problem-solving considered essential for success?

Problem-solving is essential for success because life is a series of problems to be solved, and solving problems effectively at your level can lead to promotions and higher pay.

Can problem-solving and decision-making skills be learned?

Yes, effective problem-solving and decision-making are learnable skills that can be developed with practice and by learning how to tap into the mind’s incredible powers.

What is the first step in solving a problem according to the script?

The first step is to define the problem clearly by getting the real facts, not just the apparent or obvious ones.

Why is it important to get the real facts before solving a problem?

It is important because time and energy are often wasted trying to solve problems when the people involved are unclear about what the real problem is.

What should you ask in step two of problem-solving?

In step two, you should ask what all the possible causes of the problem are, and how and why the problem happened.

What is the relationship between understanding the causes of a problem and finding a solution?

There is a direct relationship between the number of reasons you come up with for the problem’s origin and the likelihood that a solution will present itself.

What should you do in step three of solving a problem?

In step three, you should consider all the possible solutions. The more potential solutions you generate, the more likely you are to find the ideal one.

Why is making a decision important, even if it’s not perfect?

Making any decision is often better than making none, and 80% of problems should be solved as soon as they arise rather than being delayed for additional research.

What is the significance of assigning responsibility in problem-solving?

Assigning responsibility ensures that someone is accountable for implementing the decision and achieving the desired standard within a specific timeframe.

What is the role of setting a schedule and standard in problem-solving?

Setting a schedule and standard allows you to measure whether the decision has been successful. Without this, a solution is just a discussion, not an actionable plan.

Why is taking definite action important in resolving problems?

Action is crucial because focusing on solutions and acting on them helps you become smarter and better at solving problems, which leads to better career success.

How can you improve your problem-solving skills?

Problem-solving skills can be improved with practice and by continually focusing on solutions in both life and work.

Outlines

00:00

🧠 The Importance of Problem-Solving and Decision-Making

This paragraph emphasizes the critical role that problem-solving and decision-making play in leadership and personal effectiveness. It suggests that life is a series of challenges, and solving problems efficiently can lead to better outcomes, promotions, and higher pay. It introduces problem-solving as a learnable skill, essential for professional and personal growth.

🔍 Step 1: Define the Problem Clearly

In this step, the speaker explains that the first and most crucial part of solving any problem is understanding what it really is. It stresses the importance of gathering real facts, as opposed to surface-level or apparent facts, to avoid wasted time and energy. Clarity in problem definition is essential before moving forward.

🤔 Step 2: Identify the Causes

The second step is to explore all possible causes of the problem. By understanding how and why the problem happened, solutions may emerge naturally. The speaker highlights the direct relationship between the number of reasons considered and the likelihood of finding the right solution.

💡 Step 3: Explore Possible Solutions

Here, the speaker encourages brainstorming as many solutions as possible. The more options one generates, the higher the chance of arriving at the ideal solution. Creativity and thorough exploration are key to effective problem-solving.

✅ Step 4: Make a Decision

In this step, the speaker stresses the importance of making decisions quickly. While some problems require time and deliberation, most should be resolved as soon as they arise. Action is usually more beneficial than inaction, and decisions propel problem-solving forward.

👥 Step 5: Assign Responsibility

Once a decision is made, it is crucial to assign responsibility for executing it. The speaker advises determining who will do what, by when, and to what standard. This ensures accountability and clarity in the process of implementing the solution.

📅 Step 6: Set a Schedule and Standards

This step involves creating a timeline and setting measurable standards to evaluate the success of the solution. Without deadlines or criteria for success, the solution remains theoretical and is not truly actionable. Setting a schedule ensures progress and accountability.

🚀 Step 7: Take Action

The final step emphasizes taking definitive action to implement the solution. The speaker reminds us that action is the key to progress, and focusing on solutions leads to smarter problem-solving. Those who excel at problem-solving are rewarded with higher pay and faster career advancement.

👏 Conclusion: Become Solution-Oriented

In the concluding paragraph, the speaker thanks the viewer and encourages them to adopt a solution-oriented mindset in both life and work. They emphasize that problem-solving is a skill that can be developed with practice, and they invite viewers to like the video and subscribe to the channel.

Keywords

💡Problem Solving

Problem solving is the process of identifying and resolving issues that arise in personal and professional settings. In the video, problem solving is framed as a crucial skill for success, as life is portrayed as a continuous sequence of problems that need solving. The seven-step method for problem solving emphasizes defining problems clearly, identifying causes, and taking action to implement solutions.

💡Decision-Making

Decision-making refers to the process of making choices, particularly in challenging or uncertain situations. The video highlights decision-making as a vital part of solving problems, stressing that any decision is often better than indecision. It encourages prompt decisions for 80% of problems while reserving time and research for the more complex 20%.

💡Clarity

Clarity involves having a clear understanding of a situation or problem. The first step of the problem-solving method emphasizes the importance of defining the problem clearly, by gathering all relevant facts and avoiding assumptions. This step is crucial because unclear problems can lead to wasted time and misguided solutions.

💡Causes

Causes refer to the underlying reasons or factors that contribute to the occurrence of a problem. In step two of the problem-solving process, the video suggests identifying all possible causes of a problem, as understanding its origins can help point toward a solution. This step involves analyzing the situation thoroughly to reveal hidden factors.

💡Solutions

Solutions are potential answers or fixes to the problems encountered. In step three, the video stresses the importance of brainstorming as many potential solutions as possible, as the quantity of options increases the likelihood of finding an ideal solution. The key is to think broadly and creatively before deciding on the best course of action.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility refers to assigning ownership for the execution of a decision or task. The fifth step of the method involves clearly determining who will implement the solution and ensuring accountability. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures that someone is held responsible for making sure the solution is carried out effectively.

💡Action

Action is the practical implementation of decisions to solve problems. The final step in the video emphasizes that action is crucial—without it, solutions remain theoretical. Taking definite action leads to resolving the issue and is a key component of becoming solution-oriented in both life and work.

💡Standards

Standards are measurable criteria used to evaluate the success of a solution. Step six of the problem-solving method emphasizes setting a clear standard of success and a deadline. Without these, a solution is merely a discussion and lacks concrete goals for measuring its effectiveness. Standards ensure accountability and guide the problem-solving process.

💡Practice

Practice refers to the continuous effort to improve a skill through repeated application. The video mentions that effective problem-solving and decision-making are learnable skills that can be developed through consistent practice. This implies that becoming proficient in these areas requires ongoing effort and experience.

💡Mind Power

Mind power refers to the mental capacity to think critically and creatively to solve problems. The video highlights that by tapping into the incredible power of the mind, individuals can improve their problem-solving abilities and make better decisions. This reinforces the idea that solutions often come from leveraging one’s mental resources effectively.

Highlights

The ability to solve problems and make good decisions is crucial for effective leadership and success in any area.

Life is a series of problems to be solved, and your ability to handle them impacts your career growth and success.

Effective problem solving and decision-making are skills that can be developed with practice and by utilizing the powers of the mind.

A seven-step method can be applied to solve problems consistently and effectively, much like following a recipe.

Step one: Define the problem clearly by getting the real facts, not just the obvious or apparent facts.

Step two: Ask what are all the possible causes of the problem and how it occurred to better understand its origins.

Step three: Brainstorm all possible solutions to increase the likelihood of finding the best one.

Step four: Make a decision as soon as possible, as most problems should be solved quickly.

Step five: Assign responsibility for executing the decision, specifying who will do what and when.

Step six: Set a schedule for reporting on the progress and establish standards to measure the decision's success.

Step seven: Take immediate and definite action to implement the solution and resolve the problem.

Action is everything, and focusing on solutions will make you smarter and more effective at problem-solving.

The best problem solvers tend to be the highest paid and the most rapidly promoted in organizations.

Problem-solving is a learnable skill that improves with practice and can lead to greater success in both personal and professional life.

The video emphasizes becoming solution-oriented in life and work, which is key to advancing and achieving goals.

Transcripts

one of the most important skills or

qualities of leaders and effective

people in every area is the ability to

solve problems and make good decisions

that lead to more and better results all

of life is a series of problems to be

solved and difficulties to be overcome

your ability to solve the problems you

meet at your level is essential to your

being paid more and promoted faster

success is the ability to solve problems

for Ely effective problem solving and

decision-making are learnable skills

that you can develop with practice and

by learning how to tap into the

incredible powers of your

mind here's a seven-step method that you

can use for the rest of your career to

deal effectively with any problem that

comes along it's like a recipe that you

can use in the kitchen that will bring

you an excellent dish every single time

step one Define the problem clearly what

exactly is the problem get the facts get

the real facts not the apparent facts or

the obvious facts but the real facts of

the

situation it's amazing how much time and

energy is wasted every day attempting to

solve problems when the people involved

are not even clear what the problem is

in the first place step two ask what are

all the possible causes of this problem

how and why did it happen sometimes this

exercise alone will suggest a solution

and remember there's a direct

relationship between the quantity of of

reasons that you come up with in

understanding the origin of the problem

and the likelihood that a solution will

pop out step three ask what are all the

possible solutions the more possible

solutions you can come up with the more

likely it is that you will come up with

the ideal solution step number four make

a decision any decision is usually

better than no decision at all in fact

80% of problems should be solved the

moment they come up only about 20% of

problems need time and deliberation and

extra research step number five assign

responsibility for carrying out the

decision who exactly is going to do what

and when and to what standard if it's

you determine when you're going to do it

and to what standard you're going to

achieve

it step number six set a schedule of

reporting and a standard to measure

whether or not the decision has been

successful a solution without a standard

or deadline is really not a solution at

all it's merely a discussion and step

number seven task yourself or someone

else with taking definite action to

implement the solution and resolve the

problem remember action is everything

the more you focus on Solutions the

smarter you become and the better

Solutions you come up with the people

who are the best at problem solving are

the highest paid and fastest promoted in

any organization and fortunately enough

problem solving is a skill that you can

learn with practice thank you for

viewing this video on how to become

solution oriented in your approach

toward life and work if you enjoyed this

video please press the like button below

and click on the link on the screen to

subscribe to my channel