Every utility
manager faces it from time to time -- an employee who dumps a
problem in the boss’s lap for lack of a better idea. This can be
avoided with possibility thinking and a solution-only atmosphere
within the department.
A lot of us have acquired the habit of dumping a problem on our
manager’s shoulders to let the boss figure out the solution. But
possibility thinking and an emphasis on finding solutions will
result in pleasant surprises and a more productive team.
Here are some tips on applying a solution-only approach and
possibility thinking.
Tip No. 1. Every employee should be encouraged to have
at least three possible solutions to any complaint or problem
before voicing it.
Tip No. 2. People may become frustrated or even angry with
this approach but most will get the hang of it. They will soon
realize that they not only came up with a solution but that they
also were able to implement it themselves.
Tip No. 3. Incorporate this new approach into staff
meetings. Eliminate the long, boring reporting sessions and
instead ask each team to identify a key issue they want resolved.
Then brainstorm all the possible solutions to that issue.
Tip No. 4. Empower your staff even further by asking each
employee to take a turn facilitating staff meetings. Creative
ideas will flow, productivity will increase and morale will
improve.
Tip No. 5. When you have a whole team of possibility
thinkers, there is a greater sense of ownership. Everyone becomes
part of the solution. It creates a far more pleasant environment
and reduces stress.
Tip. No. 6. Be patient. Possibility thinking does not come
naturally to everyone but it can be learned.
Utility employees should take the following quiz to better
understand if they are possibility thinkers.
- Are you willing to begin a new project without being
absolutely guaranteed of its success?
- Will you start working on a new idea before you have every
single fact?
- Do you concentrate on the ways something can be done instead
of looking for reasons for why it won’t work?
- Are you inclined to accept a solution to a problem, even
when you can’t visualize it?
- Do you immediately point out the advantages of an idea
before you point out the disadvantages?
- Are you open to doing old tasks in new ways?
- Do you ever accept a new idea even if you have already made
other plans?
Those who answer yes to these questions are possibility
thinkers and the sky’s the limit. Those who answer no may be
limiting their opportunity for personal and professional success
as well as impacting the success of their team.
One thing that holds employees back when it comes to problem
solving and using their creativity is a tendency to get in their
own way. Sometimes, people gain more if they can think outside
their box and recognize ideas and thoughts that may actually be
limiting or restricting their abilities. Everyone benefits when a
utility’s employees use their creativity to boost revenues.
Employees might understand the benefits of creativity if they
ask themselves what if:
- I could discover an entirely new source of profits,
previously overlooked?
- I could multiply productivity through great new ideas and
solutions?
- I and my co-workers generated so many great ideas that
progress seemed almost effortless?
- Problems never overwhelmed me because a multitude of
creative solutions are easily accessible?
- I could visualize opportunities where there appear to be
none?
Following are some potential areas where employees stand in
their own way.
If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It. You can’t be successful
today if you’re only fixing what’s broken. Find ways to turn
“good” into “great.” Constantly look for ways to improve and seek
out innovative solutions. Don’t be satisfied with something that’s
simply “not broken.”
I’m Too Busy to Re-invent What’s Already Working Fine.
Highly successful people have learned the key to success is
setting aside time -- every day -- to think and innovate.
Encourage your staff to do the same.
Everybody Finds Fault With Any Different or Unconventional
Ideas. Most organizations, both large and small, place the
highest value on creativity and innovation. Expect to be
criticized at times, though. It goes with the territory. But the
potential rewards are so great you can’t afford to get caught in
the conformity trap.
I Can’t Afford to Make A Mistake. Sometimes a new idea
may not end up being the best idea. View these situations as
opportunities for improvement. Identify what worked well and what
did not. Then make adjustments. Learn to welcome failure.
Finally, to help you and your employees assess your openness to
creativity and your ability to tap into it, ask the following
questions with a yes or no response and then tally up the answers.
- Do we encourage our staff to generate new ideas?
- Do I put problems into a positive perspective?
- Does our staff have a clear understanding of our goals and
priorities?
- Is our environment conducive to creativity?
- Does my work group generate ideas together?
- Do we thoroughly evaluate ideas and alternatives before
committing?
- Are good ideas moving toward reality and not languishing or
"on hold"?
- Are we looking for new sources of profit or revenue?
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Copyright 2005 CyberTech, Inc.
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