The Problems Aren’t the Issue. It’s Your Mindset.
Most of us would like to think we’re solution oriented, but are we? Being solution oriented is all about having the ability to recognize possibilities. It’s about seeing the bigger picture and understanding that solutions don’t always require there to be a problem first.
As business leaders, many of us were able to climb the ladder based on our knowledge and ability to problem solve. In fact, many people are promoted because of their problem-solving skills.
While it’s essential to be able to handle problems, we can easily become problem focused instead of solution oriented. And frankly, this isn’t the type of leadership we need today. In a world where innovation is key, we need solution-oriented leaders who see the bigger picture.
Many leaders don’t realize there’s even a difference between being problem focused and solution oriented. There’s also a gap in self-awareness, meaning many leaders think they’re solution oriented, but they may not really be.
As it turns out, we’re designed to be problem focused by nature. And when people are rewarded for these behaviors (like by being promoted), it just solidifies our hardwiring. There are ways to change your orientation and become the type of proactive, forward-thinking leader organizations need today.
Why Our Brains Like Problems
If you know us already, then you know there’s a “brains in business” explanation for this scenario. Our brains are designed to look for problems!
Here’s how it works: our brains scan for a threat five times every single second. Crazy, right? Our brains’ goal is to keep us safe and alive, and identifying problems quickly is a natural defense mechanism.
So, we’re doing what we’re designed to do: constantly look for problems. However, we have the power to train our brains to look at possibilities instead. The ability to choose is an essential psychological need — but we have to train it.
Our brains are on autopilot most of the time, and they make decisions based on past experiences. True choice is often about becoming aware, so actual choice looks like this: “I’m aware that I would typically choose that, and I’m intentionally going to choose this and try something different than I have in the past.”
It’s important to do this because a solutions mindset (also known as a vision mindset or a possibility mindset) activates different parts of our brains than problems do. More of our executive function is activated when we begin to think beyond problems. When we activate our executive function, it helps with creativity, innovation, and problem solving.
Think of it this way: Making a conscious choice to step outside of problems gets us out of our emotional center (which is in the center of the brain) and into our brain’s extremities, allowing us to think bigger picture and see things more holistically. It’s like a hack for opening up visionary thinking!
3 Tips for Finding the Solutions Instead
If you’re problem focused, you aren’t alone. Here’s how to switch your mindset.
Tip 1: Choose!
You have the power to choose. But it needs to be learned, so you’re going to have to practice.
Start with paying attention to when you choose to focus on problems and when you choose to focus on solutions and possibilities. Awareness is the first step to conscious choice, and you might be surprised at what you discover.
You might find yourself thinking that someone made you angry, only to realize that they didn’t do anything. You chose to get angry. Remember, you always have the power to decide how to respond to situations, leaving plenty of opportunities for practice.
Tip 2: Ask More Questions
To get you into the solution-oriented mindset, start listening more intentionally and asking more questions. Sure, questions aren’t always necessary, but neither is input and advice. And, in truth, giving feedback and advice isn’t solution oriented.
Start asking more open-ended questions (versus yes/no questions) to get yourself into a visioning state. This opens up our brainpower and activates more parts of our brains.
Now, word to the wise: If you’re a Midwesterner and passive-aggressive questions are commonplace where you are, know that those don’t count. You can’t ask questions like, “Are you sure you don’t want to be a bit more enthusiastic with those spreadsheets, Ted?” Those aren’t actually open-ended questions, okay? (Minnesotan here, by the way)!
Another brain fact: we humans can’t be emotional and think at the same time. So, questions keep us thinking and not emotional.
Tip 3: Supercharge Your Questions
When possible, ask questions that open up conversation and possibilities and get you and others into a vision state (aka, a solution orientation).
These questions can sound like:
- “What do you see as an ideal outcome?”
- “What would success look like?”
- “What would help make our customers more loyal?”
- “Where do you think our competitors are headed?”
- “How can we separate ourselves from others in the industry?”
- “Where do you see us in ten years? How do we get there?”
Stop Waiting for Problems to Appear Before You Start Seeing Possibilities
Leaders who are in a problem-oriented mindset aren’t bad managers. They aren’t necessarily “Negative Nellies.” But when managers are in a problem orientation, they get stuck. It’s hard to see solutions outside of the familiar. It’s challenging to be a visionary if you’re too consumed with problems.
These tips will help managers become more effective leaders. Pursuing a solution-oriented mindset allows managers to create possibilities and lead their teams to create inspiring and innovative solutions. These skills give you the confidence to move beyond your areas of expertise and become a true solution-oriented visionary.
So, which are you? Problem or solution oriented? Let us know in the comments — we want to hear from you!
If you aren’t sure and you’d like help exploring whether you’re a problem- or solution-oriented leader, team, or organization, we’d love to talk.
