Solving Problems As A Manager

No matter what industry you are in, you will run into difficulties that are not planned. Your internal customers (anyone in your company that has an interest in what you are doing) may be upset with you. Your external customers may be upset with you. So, what do you do when everyone is so upset?

What Are You Doing to Improve the Situation?

Let’s say a specific job or item absolutely must be accomplished by a given due date. Let’s also say that you know things are not going well. What do you do about it? Maybe you tell your boss and he/she can’t solve the problem so… the problem seems to have been shifted to them. You are a victim of the “It’s not my fault – I passed it up the line” mentality.

The act of telling your boss about a problem doesn’t solve anything. It actually seldom solves anything. The best managers know how to solve problems when the pressure is on. Putting it on the boss doesn’t mean it isn’t your problem. If that’s your strategy, it won’t work. You look bad and your boss looks bad. No one is happy.

Solving Problems

Search out a solution! As you become aware of a situation that is going badly, immediately work to fix it. Gather other departments to discuss alternatives. You only have so much time to get things back on track and you must work quickly. If you waste time, many options become unavailable to you. At some point, you are late. That is not ok. This means you have failed.

Open Your Eyes

If you are waiting for your team to come to you and tell you there is a problem, you’re too late. You must keep in touch with them as much as possible – even more so on the big-name accounts. If your team is struggling, they’ll often hesitate to report it. This makes your job tougher. Get out and talk with your team! Check in with how they’re doing, how close are they to completion, and so on. If you can do anything to speed them up, all the better. That’s your job! Maybe that means moving some material, or making them some copies. Sometimes you have to roll up your sleeves and help them out.

The end result is a happy customer – and a happy boss. Sitting on your hands and spouting that you told the boss about a given problem doesn’t help anything (least of all, your own position). Figuring out how to get around problems is what makes for a successful manager. This will help in leading your team if they can lean on you to help get things done. It will also make you shine to your own boss. When they know they’ve got someone on their team that solves problems and makes their job easier, you become very valuable.

Learn more about managerial problem solving. Stop by John Blake’s site where you can find out all about management training and what it can do for you.