CAREER

Problem-Solving Playbook: The Basics

Googling what skills employers are looking for in new hires, you will get plenty of articles, blogs and videos sharing the top traits. According to the Department of Labor and Statistics, 88.3% of employers identify problem-solving as the top trait for new hires. Problem-solving is a crucial skill because obstacles, challenges and setbacks rarely arise on a schedule. Even if you work in a position that has clear policies and procedures, it’s important to understand how to apply them in unexpected situations. If you struggle with this top-rated skill, here are three helpful ways to break down your problem-solving. With consistent practice, you could see an improvement in your abilities.

Identify the Problem

On the surface, a problem may seem straightforward. However, further consideration may reveal that you’re experiencing the symptoms of the problem instead of the cause. For example, your job may require you to complete projects that are handed off to another department for finalization. However, each time a product is rolled out, it looks significantly different than the work you submitted. Noticing this pattern may become frustrating, as it can feel like the time you spent working on the project was not meaningfully used.

- The symptom: Your work is consistently changed and bears no resemblance to your original project. - The cause: Communication breakdown. When the project is assigned, your role and responsibilities may be clear, but the collaborating department’s expectations for the end result may be unclear. Because of this, the work you do is significantly changed. - The solution: Try to meet with the finalizing department to better understand the vision they have for end results. Once you do, you may see fewer changes to your work while saving the organization's time.

Generate Some Solutions

One of the best pieces of advice I have received is to make sure that you come up with at least three solutions for any problem before sharing the issue with management. Even if you’re not the one identifying the problem, you can be the one identifying potential solutions in a variety of ways. For example, your employer may be a relatively new business struggling to have repeat customers or clients.

- Solution 1: Short-term fixes: Depending on the business, you can come up with ideas that may potentially increase repeat customers within a short period, such as the next 60 days.

- Solution 2: Long-term fixes: You may seek to understand the needs of your customers to identify how your product or service could be valuable to them repeatedly. The next step would include sharing this information with the customer to keep the business top-of-mind.

- Solution 3: Holistic fixes: You may ask if the issue is not the product or service, but the customer’s experience. Was it easy for the customer to contact you? Was it easy for the customer to place the order? Was there a lengthy sales process? Taking a more holistic approach in identifying the customer’s experience is another way to solve a problem.

Take a Break

While this seems counterintuitive when trying to solve a problem, it can potentially be the best solution! Wracking our brains over a problem, re-running all the scenarios, looking at every possible solution, yet nothing feels right — we’ve all been there. You know your ideas could work, but your instincts tell you they’re not the proper fit. When you find yourself in those moments, that’s the time to stop and take a break.

- Go for a walk (outside): This is one of the best ways to take a break and solve a problem at the same time! Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, while being outdoors has been shown to help reduce stress. Plus, a change in scenery can cause a change in perspective.

- Read a book: Art is inspired by the world around us, just as the world around us is inspired by art. Reading a story completely outside of the problem opens your mind to new information that can be applied to your daily life. You may potentially see a solution where you least expect to find one.

- Let your mind wander: Sit in silence without the distractions of your phone, games, TV or music and let your brain take you on a journey to wherever it would like to go. When you’re along for the ride with your thoughts, you may be surprised at how quickly and easily solutions find you! In fact, according to Nap & Up, this was something Salvador Dali was known to do, but with a bit more structure. The story goes that Dali, when stuck on a problem, would sit in a chair with a key in his hand and a plate on the floor at his feet. As he was about to drift off, his hand would loosen and drop the key, which would rouse him from the edge of slumber with a solution without fail.

Problem-solving doesn’t need to be overly complex or elegant. Making progress can take just a few steps and a commitment to practice. Outside of personal techniques, another great way to improve your problem-solving skills is to find a mentor willing to share their strategies or challenge you with low-stakes problems for practice. No matter how you choose to improve your problem-solving skills, you’ve taken the first step by recognizing that they can be improved.

Sources:

https://www.training.nih.gov/oite-careers-blog/top-skills-employers-are-looking-for-in-2025-problem-solving-teamwork-and-communication/

https://brainmd.com/blogs/wellness/how-to-improve-your-problem-solving-skills#:~:text=Some%20strategies%20for%20solving%20problems%20include:%20*,words%20*%20Using%20graphs%20or%20flow%20charts

https://www.napandup.com/en/blog/people-who-practice-napping/