Problem Solving and Decision Making - A Key Skill for the 21st Century Leader
By Michael J Griffin
Nothing in your organization has a more direct impact on profits, competitiveness and customer loyalty than the quality and creativity of problem solving and decision making at all levels of the organization. According to Wiley’s Digital Skills Gap Index 2021, an astounding 85% of survey respondents across Asia–Pacific countries identify problem solving as the most relevant 21st century skill. McKinsey Research states that top performing quartile problem solving companies earn 3.5 times higher shareholder returns. It is obvious that an effective problem solving culture is must to reman competitive.
My experience with coaching Asian leaders and teams on problem solving has uncovered these three insights.
Asian teams that have a structure or “recipe” to follow to collaborate to solve problems are more open and trusting leading to better decisions and solutions.
Asian teams that have low trust do not communicate or collaborate well use the cover of “harmony” to be silent and wait to see what the “boss” suggests to a solve a problem.
Asian cultural norms of status, age, sex and authority structure can hinder trust and open communication when bringing up sensitive issues that are problems needed to be solved. Structure and defined processes to solve problems can reduce these barriers to innovation.
So let me ask you – What is the problem solving culture and communication process in your organization? Does your company inspire openness and high trust when it comes to solving problems, making good decisions that lead to innovation? Are your company’s problem solving processes a competitive advantage?
At ELAvate we have developed Creative Problem Solving and Decision Making (CPSDM) for Asian clients that in some implementations have saved some companies well over USD 1 million dollars a year. Our CPSDM workshop and Key Result Project process get results that increase revenue or reduce cost.
To learn more about our ELAvate CPSDM workshop, please download the CPSDM workshop overview and Key Result Project process here.
We at ELAvate thrive on serving organizations that want to build team cultures that solve problems and get real results. Contact me at no obligation to discuss how we can support your organization in building a culture that solves problems makes better decisions that lead to innovations. My email is michael.griffin@elavateglobal.com
All of us have a job to solve problems for your organization, team, customers or vendors. Let ELAvate help you achieve this goal so it becomes your competitive advantage.
Michael J Griffin
Founder ELAvate
Maxwell Leadership Coach and Founding Member
6E Certified Coach