The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

62 / LEADING OTHERS

Solving problems

Managerial success depends on making the right decisions at the

right times. However, unless you define a problem and identify its

root causes, it is impossible to make appropriate decisions about

how to solve it. Effective managers know how to gather and evaluate

information that clarifies a problem, develop alternatives, and weigh

up the implications of a plan before implementing it. They are able

to analyze data and use their teams to develop creative solutions.

Spotting problems

A problem exists when a situation is

not what is needed or desired. A major

responsibility for all managers is to

maintain a constant lookout for existing

or potential problems, and to spot

them early before they escalate into

serious situations. Managers fulfill

this responsibility by keeping channels

of communication open, monitoring

employees’ current performance,

and examining deviations from present

plans as well as from past experience.

Four situations can alert managers

to possible problems:

• A deviation from past experience


• A deviation from a set plan
  -^ When other people communicate
  problems to you
  -^ When competitors start^
  to outperform your team
  or organization.

The problem-

solving process

IDENTIFYING DEFINING

Being conscious

of what is going

on around you,

so you can spot

problems early.

Making a careful

analysis of the

problem to be

solved, in order to

define it as clearly

as possible.

Definition is

important even

if the solution

to the problem

appears to

be obvious

US_062-063_Solving_Problems.indd 62 31/05/16 5:28 pm