The Power of Problem Solving: How To Grow From Senior to Staff+
Adopting a Proactive Solutions-Focused Mindset
How you approach problems can significantly impact your career trajectory and personal growth.
Two prevalent mindsets stand out: the Problem Bringer and the Problem Solver.
Understanding the distinction between these mindsets and transitioning from bringing problems to the table to actively solving them is crucial to making a meaningful impact in your career.
In this post, we will look at:
Who is a Problem Bringer and a Problem Solver
How problem-solving helps with professional and personal growth
Tips for becoming a Problem Solver
🚧 The Problem Bringer
A Problem Bringer is someone who identifies and communicates problems but does not take the next step to propose or implement solutions.
A Problem Bringer focuses on what is wrong without offering a path forward.
They may excel at spotting issues early, investigating their impact, and articulating them clearly, but they often leave the burden of finding a resolution for others.
Typical Behaviors and Attitudes:
Focus on Identification: They quickly identify flaws, gaps, and potential risks.
Passive Stance: They bring up issues but do not engage in brainstorming or problem-solving.
Dependence: They rely on others to resolve the problems.
Lack of Ownership: They may distance themselves from the responsibility of resolving the issues.
Example Scenarios:
Code Review: During a code review, a Problem Bringer might highlight several bugs and inefficiencies in the code without proposing alternative solutions. They leave it to the original developer to figure out how to fix them.
Project Meetings: In a project meeting, Problem Bringers may raise concerns about approaching deadlines and potential blockers without suggesting ways to mitigate these risks.
System Outages: When a system outage or a production issue occurs, a Problem Bringer might document the problem and its impacts, but they do not proactively take part in diagnosing the root cause or suggesting a recovery plan.
🪄 Problem Solver
A Problem Solver is proactive in identifying issues and takes the initiative to design and implement solutions.
This mindset is characterized by a constructive approach that seeks to overcome obstacles and improve processes.
Problem Solvers are valuable assets because they drive progress and innovation through their proactive work.
Typical Behaviors and Attitudes:
Proactive Engagement: They actively seek out and address problems.
Solution-oriented: They focus on finding effective solutions to the issues they encounter.
Collaborative: They work with others to brainstorm, design, and implement solutions.
Accountability: They take responsibility for the problems and the solutions they propose.
Example Scenarios:
Code Review: During a code review, a Problem Solver not only identifies bugs and inefficiencies but also suggests specific changes or improvements to address them and may even offer to help implement them (e.g., pair-programming).
Project Meetings: In a project meeting, a Problem Solver raises concerns about deadlines and blockers but also proposes next steps, such as reallocating resources, cutting scope, or adjusting timelines, to keep the project on track.
System Outages: When a system outage occurs, a Problem Solver diagnoses the root cause, suggests a plan for immediate recovery, and implements preventive measures to avoid future incidents.
Professional Growth Through Problem-Solving
🔍 Thinking from Multiple Points of View
Problem-solving requires considering the needs and viewpoints of various stakeholders. By thinking from multiple perspectives, you develop more comprehensive and effective solutions and, at the same time, demonstrate empathy and understanding.
This process involves understanding the technical aspects, user experience, business impacts, and potential future implications.
⚖️ Understanding Trade-offs
Every solution comes with trade-offs. Problem Solvers must learn to balance various aspects, such as cost, time, and quality, to make good decisions.
This understanding is needed for designing solutions that are effective, feasible, and aligned with organizational goals.
Proactively evaluating trade-offs builds a strong foundation for leadership, as it requires analytical skills, foresight, and the ability to prioritize effectively. This is particularly valuable in resource-constrained environments, such as start-ups or projects in the MVP phase.
🚢 Accountability and Responsibility
Professional growth comes from the willingness to take ownership of both the proposed solutions and their outcomes.
Problem Solvers stand out by designing solutions, ensuring their successful implementation, and addressing any follow-up challenges.
By taking responsibility for your solutions, you build trust and reliability within your team. When colleagues and managers see that you can be counted on to follow through, it enhances your professional reputation.
“Don't find fault, find a remedy; anybody can complain.”
― Henry Ford
Personal Growth Through Problem Solving
💬 Improved Communication Skills
Effective problem-solving requires clear and concise communication. To articulate and collaborate on problems, you need to improve your ability to explain complex concepts in simple terms.
Clear communication ensures that everyone involved understands the issues and their roles, leading to more efficient and effective collaboration.
🧭 Developing Leadership Qualities
Problem Solvers often find themselves in leadership roles, as their solution-oriented mindset naturally positions them to lead initiatives.
By taking the lead, you develop skills such as strategic thinking, decision-making, and team management. These experiences prepare you for higher responsibilities and more influential roles in the future.
🌱 Resilience and Adaptability
Problem-solving involves encountering and overcoming setbacks. Each challenge presents an opportunity to learn and grow.
You learn to stay composed under pressure, analyze failures objectively, and adapt your strategies to overcome new challenges.
Engineers who are resilient are more likely to embrace change, seek out new opportunities, and persist in the face of adversity. Moreover, a resilient mindset contributes to overall well-being.
Tips for Becoming a Problem Solver
1. Shift from Focusing on Problems to Finding Solutions
💡 Reframe the Problem: Instead of fixating on the problem, reframe it as a challenge or an opportunity for improvement.
💭 Ask Solution-focused Questions: Shift your focus from "Why is this happening?" to "What can we do about it?" or "How can we prevent this in the future?". This will direct your energy towards finding answers.
🔨 Break Down the Problem: Divide the problem into smaller parts. This makes it easier to solve each sub-problem systematically and reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed.
🚀 Take Initiative: Step up and take the initiative to brainstorm, suggest, and implement solutions. Don't wait for others.
2. Develop Critical Thinking Skills
💬 Practice Active Listening: Listen closely to what others say without immediately forming a judgment. This helps you understand different perspectives and better analyze the situation.
❓ Ask Probing Questions: Challenge assumptions and explore the root causes of problems by asking deeper questions.
🤔 Engage in Reflective Thinking: After solving a problem, reflect on what worked well and what didn’t. Learn from each experience and apply these lessons to future challenges.
3. Build a Support Network
📚 Seek Mentors: Identify experienced professionals who can provide guidance and feedback. Mentors share their experiences, offer valuable insights, and help you navigate complex problems.
♻️ Provide and Accept Feedback: Encourage giving and receiving constructive feedback. This will open an exchange of ideas that will help you improve your problem-solving techniques and learn from different viewpoints.
👥 Encourage Team Support: When team members support each other, it builds a collaborative atmosphere that improves problem-solving.
In Case You Missed It
In last week’s post, I examined how the Customer-obsession mindset can destroy a product vision and alienate customers and what strategy to use instead:
Customer Obsession Gone Wrong And Why Being Customer-Centric Matters
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