If you ask any employer for a list of critical skills that could make a job applicant significantly more hirable than anyone else, they would say that being a problem solver is right at the top of that list. Problem-solving is at the core of any service-centric business operation. How well its people solve problems dictate how far the company advances.

Problem-solving takes practice and it is a very learnable skill. You can be a real asset to the business if you have what it takes to be a problem solver. To practice this skill, get into the habit of asking yourself these questions:

Is it your problem to solve?
Before you ask yourself what is the problem, make sure it is your problem to solve. It’s generally bad form to stick your nose into someone else’s business, so if you know you can’t do anything about it or if it’s beyond your scope or knowledge, don’t. Problems will arise, but are you in authority to address it? Do you have the skillset to solve it? You have to be discerning and choose the problems you want to be stuck with. Make sure you are the appropriate person to solve it. If not, this would best be served by having someone who has more knowledge on how to solve take care of that.

What is the problem?
People tend to be reactive instead of proactive – this is why we feel we’re always putting out fires instead of getting to the root of the issue. So if you come across a problem – ask yourself: why is this occurring and how do I know that THIS is the problem?

Who will be affected?
Check to see if you can assess the scope of the problem and see who will be affected if it doesn’t get solved. More often than not, unaddressed problems spread throughout the company and can affect all stakeholders.

What are the possible solutions?
Here’s where help from others come in handy. Brainstorm with others for possible solutions and try to get relevant input. Ask subject matter experts or those who are directly affected and let your boss know that you are taking steps towards solving the problem.

What is the best course of action?
Gather a few ideas and select a course of action. It won’t always be the right solution but you will learn from the experience if it doesn’t go your way. If it all goes right, then well done!

• Implementation – executing the action plan is the hardest part. You might need to get creative with implementing your solution. Make sure that everyone affected is onboard with the action plan and they know what steps are being taken.
• Monitoring – make sure that the problem stays resolved. Share what you learned in the problem-solving process and make sure you don’t go back to the old habits that caused the problems in the first place.

What are your problem-solving tips? Share them with us in the comments. Stay humble and hustle hard!

Written by Jaie O. The Help