As business owners, we often wear the “fix-it” hat, constantly jumping in to solve problems for our teams, customers, and the business itself. But are we truly solving the root of the issues, or just patching up symptoms?
This approach leads to two significant challenges:
- Your team never learns ownership: By constantly solving problems for them, we prevent them from developing their problem-solving skills. They don’t feel responsible, leaving you trapped in a cycle of constant intervention.
- We often fix symptoms, not root causes: Without proper root cause analysis, we address the surface-level issues, allowing the underlying problems to persist or worsen.
Imagine a business where your team proactively identifies and solves problems, freeing you to focus on strategic growth.
That’s why I want to share my 4-Step Problem-Solving Method with you. It’s designed to ensure problems are accurately identified, effectively solved, and the solutions stick for the long haul.
Here’s a breakdown:
1. “What’s Broken?” – Identify the Real Issue:
- Don’t just look at the symptoms (e.g., late delivery). Dig deeper into the processes and systems to find the actual broken element.
- Ask “why” repeatedly to uncover the root causes.
2. “So What Broke It?” – Focus on the Process, Not the Person:
- Instead of blaming individuals, analyze what broke the process, where, and how it went undetected.
- Understand the process flaws that led to the problem.
3. “What Will Fix It?” – Brainstorm and Implement Solutions:
- Involve your team in brainstorming solutions.
- Let them vote on the best approach and assign responsibilities.
- Empower them to take ownership of the fix.
4. “How Will We Know It’s Fixed?” – Establish Long-Term Measures:
- Don’t just measure the initial symptom. Implement metrics to track the long-term effectiveness of your solution.
- Create short term measurements that indicate the problem is being solved.
By implementing this 4-step process, you’ll equip your team with the skills to:
- Identify and solve problems effectively.
- Take ownership of solutions.
- Prevent recurring issues.
Ready to transform your problem-solving approach and empower your team?
Let’s schedule a quick call to discuss how you can implement this method in your business.
Author: Mark McNulty, Business Coach in Louisville, KY