Are you looking for solutions?

As the name suggests, it is all about focusing on the solution than the problem.

To come up with a quick and clear solution, is the primary objective towards solving problems and moving forward. This process can relate of any aspect of your life. You can use this approach, in your work, personal life, and anywhere else. The point is – SOLVE.

So, how does it happen? What is the process? It starts with your mindset. In my recent post of the growth mindset vs the fixed mindset, it would be easy to realize, it is growth you’re looking for here. All great leaders, have a growth and hence, solution-oriented mindset, and that’s what sets them apart.

So, what do these great leaders do?

1.      They understand the Root Cause. This helps them gauge the issue in a much deeper way, so that they can conjure up level-headed solutions to solve the problem at hand.

2.      The ‘Why’ approach. This helps them look at the problem wearing a macro and micro lens, and this helps them get to the root, in order to have a clear solution to the problem.

Embrace the problem, as a learning opportunity.

With every problem hurled at us, we are offered a learning. It is a perspective play. Whether to let the problem, bog you down, or to view it as a learning opportunity. Either way, it cannot be the end of the world.

PRO TIP – Do NOT take the self-pity or self-loathing trip. Leaders, make the most of these problems, that passionately pursuing the solution. This is a quality most common in all great leaders. The drive to find the solution.

Separate emotions and admit the existence of a problem.

Finding a solution, doesn’t mean you get your emotions, involved in the process. Keep them separate. The facts and the feelings, and envision the problem, more objectively. Such leaders focus on the issue and leverage other solution-oriented people, to gain more insight into the problem, rather than pinning blame.

Acknowledgement – There is a problem. This needs to be ascertained. When you acknowledge the problem, finding a solution

When leaders provide an environment where people can openly admit problems, they get better at finding solutions. This is because transparency and honesty go a long way in being solution-oriented.

In short, being solution-oriented is all about developing such a mindset. It takes time and effort and doesn’t happen in a day. This is why it is crucial to understand what this approach entails so you can also curate such a mindset to help you in the workplace and your personal life.

People who are growth focused look at the solution.

Being problem-focused won’t get you anywhere because such a lens is all about ruminating over the problem rather than putting your mind to work to find a solution.

Problem-oriented people will take longer to find a solution because their fixed mindset is fixated on the problem. This will eventually make you feel washed out, and you will not be able to tackle the problem, objectively.

On the other hand, people who are growth focused look at the solution. They know they have the power to change any situation, and so they take the necessary steps to find a solution and use the process as a growth opportunity.

Practical Approach to Being Solution-Oriented

So, how does one become, solutions oriented? It isn’t something that can happen overnight. But there are some practical ways, to make a step by step change. Small habits that you can apply in your daily living. Doing so, will help you lean into a growth mindset, that will eventually help you solve your problems, and that loathe over them. Here are a few practical ways of being solution-oriented:

1.      Ask the right questions – If you keep on focusing on the problem, you will fall down a rabbit hole of self-pity and despair. This is why you should have an approach that is all about finding the answers rather than questioning the problem.

2.      Lead an organized approach – You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Break down the problem into multiple steps  and then address them systematically. This is because just one problem can have many aspects, that you won’t notice if you tackle it all at once.

3.  Don’t be shy of seeking help, advise or insight – You can’t do everything alone, that is not practical. Even great visionaries, have a few comrades, that helped them become who they are right now. This is why you should engage people who have something to add to the problem at hand, and help you solve it.

4.   Self-Reflection is key – Instead of struggling just to solve the problem, you must take a step back to reflect on what is happening objectively. This will clear your head, and you can tackle the problem again with a better mindset that is more positive and not stranded.