Solving Problems As A Manager

Managers Must Solve Problems

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?

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.

Simply telling your boss about it doesn′t always solve a problem (in fact, it rarely solves a problem). When a due date looms, superior managers figure out a way to get things done! Just kicking it upstairs doesn′t get it out of your lap. If you have kicked it upstairs, you have failed – and now your manager has failed, too. You look bad, and your newly tarnished boss is not happy about it, either.

Problem Solving

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.

Be Aware

Don′t wait for you subordinates to come to you and tell you things are not going well. Keep in constant contact with them, especially on high priority jobs or customers. If they are having difficulties, they will be afraid to report them and that will make things worse for you. Jump in there! Ask them how things are going. Ask when they’ll be done. Ask if you can do anything to speed them up. Your job is to get as much out of your team as possible. If that means moving materials to them, or making copies for them, etc… so be it. Maybe you′ll have to get in there and do the job yourself. So be it!

Kicking a problem up to the boss and not doing anything else doesn′t help anyone. Solving problems will create pleased customers, which will create a pleased boss. Your team will come to depend on your leadership abilities, and your boss will come to depend on your ability so take care of issues, as well.

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