subject: Solving Problems As A Manager [print this page] Managerial Problem Solving Managerial Problem Solving
Things go wrong. That's just how it is in any business. Something will happen and you'll be in trouble. You may be getting yelled at by internal customers - these are anyone that have a stake in your actions - and by external customers. What action should you take if you find yourself in this situation?
How Can You Improve The Situation?
If you have jobs or tasks that must be done in a given time period, you must also be aware of when it looks like it will be late. If this is the case, you need to take action. Just telling the boss isn't good enough. They may not take action. And you'll still be to blame.
Just because your boss is aware of a problem doesn't mean they'll solve it for you. They often won't solve it for you. When the chips are down, great managers know how to accomplish things! The problem is still yours, even if the boss is aware of it. You cannot win by tossing the problem to the boss if no one solves anything. You'll both end up looking bad.
Problem Solving
Look for ways to solve a problem! If you see things are not going well, look for a way to head it off early. Discuss issues with various departments as soon as you realize things are not going as quickly as they should. Maybe options can be created when time is still on your side. As you wait longer and longer, alternatives become more and more limited. Eventually there are no options left but to fail, or be late. This is unacceptable! This means you have waited too long to take action.
Keep Your Eyes Open
Your subordinates often won't want to come and tell you that they are having trouble accomplishing a task. You need to be out there talking with them constantly in order to stay on top of things. Ask if the need help. Ask about a completion schedule. Bring their materials to them. Make their copies for them. If you can find a way to get more production out of them, do it. That's what you're being paid to do.
A happy customer will make a happy boss. If all you had done was to tell the boss about it and nothing else, everyone loses. Solving problems is what makes a great manager. If your team can learn to depend on you to help get things done, your leadership abilities will shine, too. You'll become very valuable to your boss if they know they've got a problem-solver on their team, too.
