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Managerial Problem Solving
Written by John Blake   
Thursday, 29 July 2010 07:09
Solving Problems As A Manager
by JohnBlake


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?

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.

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

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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