Learn to look for the answers

WE will always encounter all kinds of problems in our workplace. When faced with problems, different people will react in different ways. Some will ask for answers, while others will look for the answers.

If you always ask for answers, you will not be able to learn and grow much. For when an answer is given to you freely, you will not go through the process of analysing and getting to know the ins and outs of the problem. You will just grab the answer and get the work done. It is just like being spoon-fed.

On the other hand, those who look for the answers will benefit more as they are able to gain a lot of knowledge and experience through the process of solving the problems.

Likewise, it is better for the superiors not to feed subordinates with solutions and answers whenever the subordinates come to them with their problems.

Instead, they should encourage their subordinates to analyse the issues, find the solutions and discuss with the superiors. It is only when the subordinates take responsibility for the problems and work their way out to solve the problems that they will be able to grow and advance.

Here are some steps to looking for answers.

Find the core of the problem

Before you find the solution for any problem, you have to determine the core problem. Otherwise, you will be wasting your time running around but solving other irrelevant issues.

Source for information

Once you have identified the core problem, you need to source all the relevant information so that you can understand the issue thoroughly. What caused it? How did it happen? Who or what did it affect? How bad is the damage? What has been salvaged?

Suggest possible solutions

When most of the information has been gathered, try to come up with possible solutions. What are the possible ways and means to solve the problems? What are the methods to employ?

If possible, suggest a few alternatives but try not to exceed three solutions. Otherwise, too much time would be wasted or the solutions will be too farfetched.

Explore the feasibility of the solutions

Explore the possible solutions and find out their feasibility. Can the means employed be able to solve the issue? Will they aggravate the problem? What resources are required? Are the resources available and affordable?

You need to explore each and every one of the solutions to find out which one is the best for the current situation.

Choose and execute

Finally, choose the solution that is most suitable for the current situation and carry it out.

In this process, it is important to determine the problem and come up with the possible solutions.

Usually, when the problem is very complicated, there will be a lot of main issues and secondary issues. Out of these issues, maybe only one or two are core issues.

Hence, determining the core issues and solving them is the key thing to do.

You need to be creative and think out of the box when trying to find the solutions for the problem. It is one way of helping you to look beyond the problem and find solutions that are out of the norm.

In conclusion, there is no problem too big that cannot be solved. As long as you put your heart and mind to search for the solution, you will find the answers.

Hence, be a solution-seeker and not someone who only asks for answers.