How to be more solution-oriented?
We encounter hardships every day at work, at home and in communities, just like in our organization, in AIESEC. Unexpected traffic or delays on public transportation can cause not being on time. Our technology doesn’t function the way we want it to. On the other hand, family members, friends or colleagues don’t meet our expectations either.
Oftentimes, when these problems occur, we immediately express our frustration, and can’t wait to release it to anybody who is willing to listen. Waving our hands in the air, we can feel the negativity fast tracking its way through our bodies, affecting our thoughts, what we hear, what we say, and how we interact with those around us. This negativity showcases a weakness that we have in the face of problems. We stand down to the problem, even expand the problem, when we focus on how unfair the situation may be or complain about the disruption or our dissatisfaction. In those moments, problems breed problems.
So the big question is how does one alter their reaction to problems and focus instead of surfacing and jumping over solutions? I can highlight four steps to develop and evolve your solution-oriented behavior.
Step 1: It starts with our attitude.
As soon as a problem occurs, we must trigger a spirit of optimism that fuels us along our path to solutions. We must discipline ourselves to be hungry for solutions. The motivation to push past the obstacle in front of us should come from within ourselves.. Will Rogers said, “If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.” It’s in that moment of choice, when a problem appears, that we decide to let the problem consume us or face the problem with the conviction to break through the barrier.
Step 2: Adopting a solution-orientation attitude requires focus and analysis.
By using critical thinking skills, we must understand the problems from their roots to the surface. Focusing on the root makes us see and realize smaller elements of a problem, and it enables us to tackle it without getting overwhelmed. Thus, when a problem comes up, study it until you are completely knowledgeable. Then find the weak spot of the problem and the rest will be easy. This type of study helps us to find future success where we focus on sustainable solutions, where we don’t find ourselves in situations where one problem leads to another.
Step 3: We must employ creativity to find solutions that break the boundaries of traditional thinking.
When we commit ourselves to being solution-oriented, we are exploring the value that we bring in relationships, teams, and organizations. Leveraging our creativity requires us to effectively brainstorm solutions that exceed a shortlist of average ideas and instead push our thinking beyond our self-imposed limits to get to the ideas that are innovative in sense of approach and even design. When we integrate our knowledge and experience of one field with another, of one department with another, there is when we multiply our creativity. It is in that space when our solutions are game-changing.
Step 4: After we discipline ourselves to adopt the attitude of a champion, commit to focusing.
We need to prioritize our solutions and make an individual or collective decision on how to proceed. By surfacing our recommendations with clear context and logical explanations, we demonstrate an ability to lead with purpose and not stand paralyzed in the face of a problem.
Developing and evolving a solution orientation takes time, discipline, and practice. To thrive at work, at home, and in our relationships, it’s time to differentiate ourselves by tackling problems head-on and channeling our attitude, time, and energy to find and solve solutions rather than breeding more problems.
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