Get teams better at solving problems by solving problems better

In today's fast-paced and ever-evolving world, effective problem-solving skills are more critical than ever. But how do you get a team to level up their skills in this area?

In a workshop, you can create the perfect environment for problem-solving in a way that's difficult to do in the rough and tumble of everyday work. This can help a team work on the specific challenge that's in front of them, but it doesn't stop there. I've noticed that going through a positive problem-solving experience can have a lasting impact on a team's ability to work together successfully. But why might that be?

Structure

Within a workshop, you plan out exactly how you are going to work, rather than just making a start and muddling your way through. In my case, I generally use design thinking principles, which provide an excellent framework for a wide range of challenges. Experiencing these structured approaches can give teams a better feel for where to start and how to progress through a problem.

Collaboration

One of the main roles of a workshop facilitator is to ensure that all voices are heard, and valuable contributions aren't lost. I like to use exercises designed to avoid the usual problems of freeform meetings and brainstorms, where the voices that are heard are often those that are loudest or highest in the hierarchy. When teams have experienced the power of bringing in diverse thinking from the wider group, it will show that those voices are worth listening to next time.

Shared Responsibility

When a group works on a problem in a workshop, it shows that we can all contribute to the solution. I've seen this change the culture between teams from blaming each other to sharing problems and inviting solutions.

Success

When a team has successfully solved a problem together, they will believe they can do it again. They'll have the confidence to tackle other challenges and a few more tools and techniques to help them next time.

The best way to get better at solving problems is to have a positive experience of solving problems. This can serve as a learning opportunity, a unifying experience, and inspiration for future success. Practice makes perfect!

If you want to chat about ways to get your teams solving together better, drop me a message!