importance of problem solving skills for managers

Problem Solving 101 for Managers: 5 Essential Skills and Tips

Understanding problem solving, the 5 essential skills for effective problem solving, tips for successful problem solving, case studies of successful problem solving in the business world, developing your problem-solving skills and mindset as a manager.

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What is problem solving for managers?

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Why Problem-Solving Skills Are Essential for Leaders in Any Industry

• 17 Jan 2023

Any organization offering a product or service is in the business of solving problems.

Whether providing medical care to address health issues or quick convenience to those hungry for dinner, a business’s purpose is to satisfy customer needs .

In addition to solving customers’ problems, you’ll undoubtedly encounter challenges within your organization as it evolves to meet customer needs. You’re likely to experience growing pains in the form of missed targets, unattained goals, and team disagreements.

Yet, the ubiquity of problems doesn’t have to be discouraging; with the right frameworks and tools, you can build the skills to solve consumers' and your organization’s most challenging issues.

Here’s a primer on problem-solving in business, why it’s important, the skills you need, and how to build them.

Access your free e-book today.

What Is Problem-Solving in Business?

Problem-solving is the process of systematically removing barriers that prevent you or others from reaching goals.

Your business removes obstacles in customers’ lives through its products or services, just as you can remove obstacles that keep your team from achieving business goals.

Design Thinking

Design thinking , as described by Harvard Business School Dean Srikant Datar in the online course Design Thinking and Innovation , is a human-centered , solutions-based approach to problem-solving and innovation. Originally created for product design, design thinking’s use case has evolved . It’s now used to solve internal business problems, too.

The design thinking process has four stages :

• Clarify: Clarify a problem through research and feedback from those impacted.
• Ideate: Armed with new insights, generate as many solutions as possible.
• Develop: Combine and cull your ideas into a short list of viable, feasible, and desirable options before building prototypes (if making physical products) and creating a plan of action (if solving an intangible problem).
• Implement: Execute the strongest idea, ensuring clear communication with all stakeholders about its potential value and deliberate reasoning.

Using this framework, you can generate innovative ideas that wouldn’t have surfaced otherwise.

Creative Problem-Solving

Another, less structured approach to challenges is creative problem-solving , which employs a series of exercises to explore open-ended solutions and develop new perspectives. This is especially useful when a problem’s root cause has yet to be defined.

You can use creative problem-solving tools in design thinking’s “ideate” stage, which include:

• Brainstorming: Instruct everyone to develop as many ideas as possible in an allotted time frame without passing judgment.
• Divergent thinking exercises: Rather than arriving at the same conclusion (convergent thinking), instruct everyone to come up with a unique idea for a given prompt (divergent thinking). This type of exercise helps avoid the tendency to agree with others’ ideas without considering alternatives.
• Alternate worlds: Ask your team to consider how various personas would manage the problem. For instance, how would a pilot approach it? What about a young child? What about a seasoned engineer?

It can be tempting to fall back on how problems have been solved before, especially if they worked well. However, if you’re striving for innovation, relying on existing systems can stunt your company’s growth.

Related: How to Be a More Creative Problem-Solver at Work: 8 Tips

Why Is Problem-Solving Important for Leaders?

While obstacles’ specifics vary between industries, strong problem-solving skills are crucial for leaders in any field.

Whether building a new product or dealing with internal issues, you’re bound to come up against challenges. Having frameworks and tools at your disposal when they arise can turn issues into opportunities.

As a leader, it’s rarely your responsibility to solve a problem single-handedly, so it’s crucial to know how to empower employees to work together to find the best solution.

Your job is to guide them through each step of the framework and set the parameters and prompts within which they can be creative. Then, you can develop a list of ideas together, test the best ones, and implement the chosen solution.

Related: 5 Design Thinking Skills for Business Professionals

4 Problem-Solving Skills All Leaders Need

1. problem framing.

One key skill for any leader is framing problems in a way that makes sense for their organization. Problem framing is defined in Design Thinking and Innovation as determining the scope, context, and perspective of the problem you’re trying to solve.

“Before you begin to generate solutions for your problem, you must always think hard about how you’re going to frame that problem,” Datar says in the course.

For instance, imagine you work for a company that sells children’s sneakers, and sales have plummeted. When framing the problem, consider:

• What is the children’s sneaker market like right now?
• Should we improve the quality of our sneakers?
• Should we assess all children’s footwear?
• Is this a marketing issue for children’s sneakers specifically?
• Is this a bigger issue that impacts how we should market or produce all footwear?

While there’s no one right way to frame a problem, how you do can impact the solutions you generate. It’s imperative to accurately frame problems to align with organizational priorities and ensure your team generates useful ideas for your firm.

To solve a problem, you need to empathize with those impacted by it. Empathy is the ability to understand others’ emotions and experiences. While many believe empathy is a fixed trait, it’s a skill you can strengthen through practice.

When confronted with a problem, consider whom it impacts. Returning to the children’s sneaker example, think of who’s affected:

• Your organization’s employees, because sales are down
• The customers who typically buy your sneakers
• The children who typically wear your sneakers

Empathy is required to get to the problem’s root and consider each group’s perspective. Assuming someone’s perspective often isn’t accurate, so the best way to get that information is by collecting user feedback.

For instance, if you asked customers who typically buy your children’s sneakers why they’ve stopped, they could say, “A new brand of children’s sneakers came onto the market that have soles with more traction. I want my child to be as safe as possible, so I bought those instead.”

When someone shares their feelings and experiences, you have an opportunity to empathize with them. This can yield solutions to their problem that directly address its root and shows you care. In this case, you may design a new line of children’s sneakers with extremely grippy soles for added safety, knowing that’s what your customers care most about.

Related: 3 Effective Methods for Assessing Customer Needs

3. Breaking Cognitive Fixedness

Cognitive fixedness is a state of mind in which you examine situations through the lens of past experiences. This locks you into one mindset rather than allowing you to consider alternative possibilities.

For instance, your cognitive fixedness may make you think rubber is the only material for sneaker treads. What else could you use? Is there a grippier alternative you haven’t considered?

Problem-solving is all about overcoming cognitive fixedness. You not only need to foster this skill in yourself but among your team.

4. Creating a Psychologically Safe Environment

As a leader, it’s your job to create an environment conducive to problem-solving. In a psychologically safe environment, all team members feel comfortable bringing ideas to the table, which are likely influenced by their personal opinions and experiences.

If employees are penalized for “bad” ideas or chastised for questioning long-held procedures and systems, innovation has no place to take root.

By employing the design thinking framework and creative problem-solving exercises, you can foster a setting in which your team feels comfortable sharing ideas and new, innovative solutions can grow.

How to Build Problem-Solving Skills

The most obvious answer to how to build your problem-solving skills is perhaps the most intimidating: You must practice.

Again and again, you’ll encounter challenges, use creative problem-solving tools and design thinking frameworks, and assess results to learn what to do differently next time.

While most of your practice will occur within your organization, you can learn in a lower-stakes setting by taking an online course, such as Design Thinking and Innovation . Datar guides you through each tool and framework, presenting real-world business examples to help you envision how you would approach the same types of problems in your organization.

Are you interested in uncovering innovative solutions for your organization’s business problems? Explore Design Thinking and Innovation —one of our online entrepreneurship and innovation courses —to learn how to leverage proven frameworks and tools to solve challenges. Not sure which course is right for you? Download our free flowchart .

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What to say in which employee talk – Get the Leader’s Go-To Guide for effective communication

• September 8, 2023

Problem-solving for managers – How to move on when things are tough

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on problem-solving for managers. In today’s complex and rapidly changing business environment, problem-solving is a critical skill for managers. This guide aims to provide you with a deep understanding of the importance of problem-solving skills in management, and how to master the art of problem-solving through strategic approaches. We’ll also explore the common challenges that managers often face during problem-solving and provide practical solutions to overcome them.  

Then, we’ll delve into real-life case studies that demonstrate successful problem-solving techniques used by respected managers. Finally, we’ll share insightful tips on how to develop a culture of problem-solving within your team. This guide is designed to equip you with the necessary tools and strategies to navigate through complex problems and make informed decisions that lead to successful outcomes. Let’s get started.  

Your Guide to Problem-Solving for Managers

P roblem-solving is not just a skill but a necessity. This guide is meticulously designed to provide you with a holistic understanding and mastery of problem-solving. It delves into the crux of the importance of problem-solving skills, articulating why they are indispensable for managers. The guide further expounds on the nuanced art of problem-solving, detailing a step-by-step strategy for managers, from attaining a clear understanding of issues to generating solutions and evaluating them for efficacy. Recognizing the inevitability of challenges, this guide also presents ways to navigate common obstacles encountered during problem-solving, such as dealing with complex problems, managing team dynamics, and ensuring effective communication. It offers insightful case studies showcasing successful problem-solving techniques employed by respected managers, and concludes with practical advice on fostering a culture of problem-solving within teams, emphasizing open dialogue, innovative thinking, and continuous training and development opportunities. This guide is an invaluable resource for managers seeking to hone their problem-solving skills and lead their teams more effectively.  

Understanding the Importance of Problem-Solving Skills in Management

T he ability to effectively problem-solve is, without question, a skill of paramount importance. As managers, we are frequently faced with a myriad of challenges that demand our immediate attention and resolution. Thus, understanding the concept of problem-solving becomes critical. Problem-solving, as the term suggests, refers to the process of identifying a problem, analyzing potential solutions, and implementing the most effective one. Furthermore, it is essential to comprehend why problem-solving is so crucial for managers. Essentially, a manager’s role  involves making decisions that will impact an entire team or organization. Therefore, being able to solve problems efficiently and effectively is a key attribute that can significantly enhance a manager’s performance and, by extension, the overall productivity of the organization.  

Defining Problem-Solving

Problem-solving, as the term suggests, refers to the process of identifying a problem or challenge, analyzing it in detail, generating potential solutions, and then implementing and evaluating the most effective solution. It is a cognitive process that involves critical thinking and logical reasoning. As a manager, problem-solving is not just about finding quick fixes or temporary solutions. Rather, it involves a strategic approach – understanding the root cause of the problem, considering its impact on the organization, and identifying long-term solutions that not only solve the problem but also prevent similar issues from arising in the future. The ability to solve problems effectively is thus a crucial skill in management, enhancing decision-making capabilities and contributing to the overall success of an organization.  

Why is Problem-Solving Crucial for Managers?

Problem-solving is an indispensable skill for all people leaders and managers out there . It serves as the cornerstone upon which effective leadership and successful business operations are built. Managers, as key decision-makers within an organization, are frequently presented with challenges varying from minor operational issues to major strategic dilemmas. The ability to dissect these problems, analyze them from multiple perspectives, and devise appropriate solutions is crucial. It not only aids in maintaining smooth operations but also in capitalizing on opportunities for growth and improvement. Furthermore, proficient problem-solving abilities empower managers to foster a positive and proactive work environment. This, in turn, promotes employee engagement, boosts team morale, and leads to enhanced productivity. In essence, problem-solving is not merely a skill but a vital management tool that contributes significantly to an organization’s success.  

Mastering the Art of Problem-Solving: Strategies for Managers

As a manager, mastering the art of problem-solving is not just important , it’s essential. This process often begins with establishing a clear understanding of the issue at hand. It requires an objective , analytical approach to identify the root cause of the problem rather than focusing on its symptoms. Once the issue is clearly defined, generating potential solutions becomes the next focal point. This stage encourages innovation and creativity, however, it should also be tempered with feasibility considerations. Upon brainstorming possible solutions , the next step is to evaluate and select the best one. This involves a careful analysis of each solution’s advantages and potential drawbacks, taking into account the resources available and the overall impact on the organization. The selected solution should not only resolve the present issue but also contribute to the long-term success of the organization. Remember, effective problem-solving is a skill that can be developed and refined over time, and it’s a cornerstone of successful management.  

Establishing a Clear Understanding of the Issue

As a manager, it is crucial to establish a clear understanding of the issue at hand to effectively strategize a solution. This involves identifying the problem in its entirety, evaluating the root causes, and understanding its impact on the operations and goals of your team or organization. Ensure a comprehensive approach by considering all relevant aspects – from internal dynamics to external factors that might influence the situation. This step is fundamental in problem-solving as it helps to prevent assumptions, unclear interpretations, and hasty decisions that could potentially exacerbate the issue. A thorough understanding of the problem lays a solid foundation for the generation of potential solutions, leading us to the next stage of the problem-solving process.  

Generating Potential Solutions

When accessing problem-solving with care , generating potential solutions is an imperative step. As a mana ger, it’s your responsib ility to f acilitate an environment conducive to creative thinking and open dialogue. Strive to approach the issue from various angles, taking int o account diverse perspectives. Encourage your team members to propose their own ideas, no matter how unconventional they may seem. By fostering a culture of innovation, you can unearth unique solutions that may not have been i nitially apparent . Remember, the key lies not in finding the ‘right’ solution im mediately , but in generating a wide array of potential solutions to evaluate and refine.  

Evaluating and Selecting the Best Solution

In the pursuit of effective problem-solving, the evaluation and selection of the most suitable solution holds paramount importance. As a manager, it becomes your responsibility to assess the pros and cons of each potential solution with a discerning and analytical mindset. This process needs to be conducted with a meticulous approach, keeping in mind the overall organizational goals, the resources at disposal, and the potential impact on the team. It is crucial to remember that the best solution may not always be the most obvious or the easiest one. Patience, objectivity, and a strategic mindset are essential in this phase of problem-solving. Once a solution is chosen, it’s vital to communicate the reasoning behind the selection to your team to ensure collective understanding and cooperation.  

Overcoming Common Challenges in Problem-Solving for Managers

In management, problem-solving often entails overcoming a variety of challenges. One such challenge is dealing with complex problems. A manager must possess the ability to break down these complex issues into manageable parts for comprehensive analysis and solution formulation. Another common challenge is navigating team dynamics during problem-solving. It’s essential for a manager to understand and manage varying personalities, work styles, and opinions to foster a productive problem-solving environment. Ensuring effective communication  is also crucial. Clear, concise, and open communication can prevent misunderstandings and align the team towards a common goal. Overcoming these challenges is not a straightforward task, but with patience, strategic thinking, and effective communication skills, it’s possible to surmount these hurdles and lead your team towards effective problem-solving.  

Dealing with Complex Problems

In the realm of management, complex problems are inevitable. It is how we navigate these complexities that truly defines our effectiveness as leaders. One must not shy away from these challenges, instead, they should be viewed as opportunities for growth and innovation. As a manager, it’s crucial to dissect these complex issues into manageable parts. This systematic approach allows for a clearer understanding of the problem at hand. Encourage your team to question the status quo and explore various perspectives. This promotes critical thinking and often leads to novel solutions. Remember, in the face of complexity, patience and persistence are your allies. It is through dealing with these intricate issues that we cultivate resilience and fortify our problem-solving skills.  

Navigating Team Dynamics during Problem-Solving

Navigating team dynamics during the problem-solving process is a critical task for managers. It involves understanding the different personalities, skills, and working styles within the team, and directing these diverse elements towards a common goal. Team dynamics can significantly influence the effectiveness of problem-solving efforts. For instance, conflicts may arise, or certain members may dominate discussions, preventing others from contributing their ideas. As a manager, it is crucial to promote a culture of respect and inclusivity, ensuring all voices are heard. Regular team-building exercises can help to foster stronger relationships and mutual understanding among team members, leading to more effective collaboration in problem-solving. Moreover, managers should be skilled in conflict resolution  to address any issues promptly and prevent them from hampering the problem-solving process. By adeptly managing team dynamics, managers can facilitat e smooth and efficient problem-solving, ultimately drivin g the team’s success.  

Ensuring Effective Communication

As a manager, one of the most vital aspects of problem-solving is ensuring effective communication among your team members. It is essential to understand that in a formal setting, communication is not merely about exchanging information. It involves a systematic and structured approach where clarity and conciseness are highly valued. Every interaction should be purposeful and directed towards achieving the defined objectives . Misunderstandings can lead to complications, thus the importance of precision cannot be overstated. Moreover, by promoting a culture of open and respectful dialogue, you can facilitate an environment where everyone feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas. In essence, effective communication in problem-solving is about bridging gaps and building a shared understanding to drive towards a common goal.  

Developing a Culture of Problem-Solving within Your Team

Cultivating a culture of problem-solving within a team is a fundamental task that demands strategic planning and careful execution. This process begins with the promotion of open dialogue and collaboration. As a leader, it is essential to establish an environment where team members feel comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns without fear of judgment. Moreover, fostering innovative thinking is equally important. This involves encouraging team members to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and propose novel solutions to problems. Lastly, providing regular training and development opportunities is crucial. These initiatives equip team members with the necessary skills and knowledge to tackle problems effectively. In sum, developing a culture of problem-solving within a team requires a blend of open communication, creative thinking, and continuous learning.  

Promoting Open Dialogue and Collaboration

In fostering a culture of problem-solving within your organization, a pivotal element is the promotion of open dialogue and collaboration. This approach necessitates an environment where every team member feels comfortable expressing their ideas and concerns. It is through the free exchange of perspectives and insights that innovative solutions can emerge . Furthermore, collaboration paves the way for a collective ownership of challenges and their corresponding solutions. It is imperative for leaders to model this behavior, encouraging transparency and mutual respect. By doing so, the team not only becomes more efficient at problem-solving but also cultivates a stronger sense of unity and shared purpose.  

Encouraging Innovative Thinking

As a leader, it is imperative to encourage innovative thinking within your team. This can be achieved by fostering an environment where creativity and originality are valued and rewarded. It is not sufficient to merely allow for innovation, but rather, it should be actively promoted and nurtured. Encouraging team members to think outside the box and challenge conventional wisdom can lead to the discovery of novel and effective solutions to problems. The importance of innovative thinking should be communicated clearly, and team members should be provided with the resources and support necessary to explore new ideas . By doing so, you will be enhancing your team’s problem-solving capabilities and promoting a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.  

Providing Regular Training and Development Opportunities

In a n organizational setting, always remember the significance of regular training and development opportunities. These initiatives play a pivotal role in fostering a culture of problem-solving within teams. Regular training programs enable team members to acquire new skills and refine their existing ones, thereby enhancing their problem-solving proficiency . Furthermore, development opportunities such as workshops, seminars, and conferences provide exposure to a diverse range of problem-solving strategies and techniques. This not only broadens the team’s collective problem-solving capacity but also instills a mindset of continuous learning and improvement. Therefore, organizations must prioritize regular training and development to cultivate a robust problem-solving culture.  

Questions and Answers of of problem-solving for managers

What are problem-solving skills of a manager?  

Problem-solving skills of a manager involve the ability to identify and define the problem, generate alternative solutions, evaluate and select the best alternative, implement the solution, and finally, monitor progress and make necessary adjustments. These skills also include critical thinking, the ability to analyze a situation and identify patterns that may not be immediately apparent. It involves being able to understand the implications of the problem and the impact it has on a project or business. A good manager uses these problem-solving skills to facilitate communication, collaboration, and negotiation between team members.  

What are the 4 P’s of problem management?  

The 4 P’s of problem management include:   

1) Problem Identification: Identifying the root cause of issues and preventing them from recurring.   

2) Problem Control: Focusing on understanding the problem and its impact, and determining the best way to manage it.   

3) Problem Resolution: Implementing the most effective solution to eliminate the problem.  

4) Problem Closure: Documenting the problem and the resolution, and ensuring it has been fully resolved and will not reoccur.  

What are the five 5 most common methods in problem-solving in management?  

The five most common methods in problem-solving in management include:   

1) Brainstorming: A group creativity technique by which efforts are made to find a conclusion for a specific problem by gathering a list of ideas.   

2) Root Cause Analysis (RCA): A method of problem solving used for identifying the root causes of faults or problems.   

3) SWOT Analysis: Identifying Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats related to business competition or project planning.   

4) Pareto Analysis: Also known as the 80/20 rule, a decision-making technique that uses statistical analysis to select a limited number of tasks that produce significant overall effect.  

5) Six Sigma: A set of techniques and tools for process improvement.  

What are the problem-solving skills of a good leader?  

A good leader uses problem-solving skills to identify and understand challenges, generate potential solutions, select the most effective solution, and implement it in a way that benefits the team and the organization. These skills include critical thinking, which is the ability to make clear, reasoned judgments. They also need decision-making skills, which involves choosing the best course of action among different alternatives. Additionally, they need negotiation and collaboration skills to bring team members together and achieve a common goal. A good leader also needs to be able to communicate effectively to ensure everyone understands the problem and the chosen solution.  

What are the elements of effective problem-solving in a team?  

Effective problem-solving in a team involves clear communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making. The team must be able to identify and understand the problem, generate potential solutions, evaluate these solutions, and implement the best one. They must also be able to monitor the situation and make adjustments as necessary.  

How does problem-solving contribute to effective leadership?  

Problem-solving is an essential part of leadership. It enables leaders to navigate complex business landscapes, make decisions under uncertainty, and guide their teams towards achieving their objectives. By effectively solving problems, leaders can create a positive work environment where team members feel empowered and motivated.  

What are some common obstacles to effective problem-solving?  

Common obstacles to effective problem-solving include lack of clarity about the problem, poor communication, lack of relevant information, limited resources, resistance to change, and lack of cooperation or trust among team members.  

How can a manager improve their problem-solving skills?  

A manager can improve their problem-solving skills by practicing critical thinking, seeking feedback, learning from mistakes, and continuously seeking to learn and grow. They can also benefit from training and development programs that focus on problem-solving and decision-making.  

Summary of problem-solving for managers

In conclusion, this blog provided a comprehensive guide to problem-solving for managers. It underscored the importance of problem-solving skills in management, highlighting the need for a clear definition and understanding of the significance of such skills in a managerial role.  

The article then delved into strategies to master the art of problem-solving, emphasizing the need to clearly understand the issue, generate potential solutions, and evaluate to select the best solution.  

The blog also addressed common challenges faced by managers in problem-solving, such as dealing with complex problems, navigating team dynamics, and ensuring effective communication. Readers were provided with insights into how respected managers have successfully applied problem-solving techniques, through a series of case studies.  

Finally, the blog emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of problem-solving within teams. It suggested promoting open dialogue and collaboration, encouraging innovative thinking, and providing regular training and development opportunities to ensure a problem-solving environment.  

In essence, the blog provided a holistic view of problem-solving in management, equipping managers and leaders with strategies and techniques to address challenges and create a conducive problem-solving culture within their teams.  

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Home » Employment & Management » Importance of problem-solving for potential managers

Importance of problem-solving for potential managers

• October 8, 2021

Effective problem solving is a crucial skill for managers to possess because they’re expected to be able to overcome challenges in everyday operations to more complex conflicts and missed goals.

Being able to identify problems, analyse the cause and take practical and logical steps to resolve them requires a calm and clear head. The sum of this expertise is a huge bonus for businesses looking to achieve their organisational goals and create a collaborative, stress free work environment.

In this article, we’ll further discuss the importance of problem-solving for potential managers, how to assess whether someone has good problem-solving skills, and how you can improve your problem-solving.

Why do managers need to have problem-solving skills?

Finding the best solutions to problems in the workplace is very important as it helps employees to succeed. Some of the reasons why effective problem solving by management is so important are:

• Achieve goals- A good manager that can effectively get rid of problems and obstacles that are in the path of your employees will help employees achieve the goals that have been set for them.
• Manage teams effectively- Efficient management and problem-solving means that teams can be managed properly, and each team member will know exactly what is expected of them.
• Build collaboration- With problems taken care of, it is easier to build collaboration, cohesion, and a welcoming workplace environment.
• Client satisfaction- When it comes to client satisfaction, speedy problem solving is an absolute must.
• Meeting deadlines- With problems eliminated, the path is clear for employees to meet deadlines and deliver work in a timely manner.
• Eliminate stress from the workplace- even the tiniest problems such as a broken printer can cause enormous stress in the workplace, so having a manager that takes problem-solving seriously will be a massive asset when creating a calm and stress-free working environment.

How do you identify whether someone has good problem-solving skills or not?

If you are looking to hire potential managers for your business, you’ll need to identify whether they are good problem solvers or not. This can be quite tricky, as you often can’t get a well-rounded idea of someone’s problem-solving skills in just one interview, but you can do the following:

Ask them to come up with solutions to theoretical problems

In the interview setting, why not ask the candidate to come up with solutions to recent problems that you experienced in your workplace. Encourage them to ask questions about the specifics of the situation so that they have an accurate idea of the issue at hand. Don’t rush them, as good solutions require some brainstorming (so ensure you provide them with a paper and pen should it be an in-person interview). Hearing the solutions that they come up with should give you valuable insight into their problem-solving skills and whether or not they would be a good fit for your workplace environment.

Ask them about their previous experience with problem-solving

Even if the candidate has no previous experience as a manager, everyone has to solve problems in their own lives, whether it be at school or as an employee. Ask about what other problems they have recently had to solve, and this should show you how well they can use logic and whether they stayed calm within the problem-solving process. Ask about how they felt and what obstacles they experienced along the way when it came to their problem-solving.

There are also many online tests that you could make use of and ask potential candidates to take in an effort to get a clear idea of their problem-solving skills.

How do you improve your problem-solving skills?

If you are someone that is looking for a management position, is perhaps already in a management position, and are looking to improve your problem-solving skills, you could look at the following for answers.

Gaining any sort of experience in the workplace, even working as a waiter or cashier, can help you develop your problem-solving skills. Of course, a management position would be the most valuable, but if that is not yet possible, just try to put your problem-solving skills to the test in your everyday life. Whether it be a flat tyre or a personal matter, test yourself by always trying to come up with the most effective solution.

Online courses

There are so many online courses out there that can help give you the skills that you need to become a better problem solver. These online courses may focus on soft managerial skills or even focus on the skill of problem-solving itself. Many of these courses are very affordable and even free, so go the extra mile by enrolling in one of these courses.

Applying yourself

When you are faced with a problem in your life, always push yourself to go the extra mile in coming up with solutions for your problems. Shy away from being lazy and rather apply yourself in as many aspects as you possibly can, and you’ll soon see that your problem-solving skills will blossom and develop.

Gain knowledge

As a manager in the workplace, it is important that you are constantly improving your knowledge when it comes to industry regulations, current industry trends, etc. Take the time to read relevant articles and up your knowledge for your chosen industry. This way, when problems arise, you’ll be armed with relevant knowledge that may help you in your quest to find the ideal solution.

Helping others solve their problems

If you really want to up your problem-solving skills, you could let your friends and family know, and spend time with them discussing their current problems and frustrations, and help them find solutions.

You could also practise coming up with solutions to theoretical problems that you are not currently facing but could face in the near future.

Practice stress relief

If you are someone that gets stressed out very easily, this is definitely going to be a hindrance to you when it comes to solving problems. Stress clouds your brain, which can cause you to make snap, erratic decisions that you may regret later.

If you want to be a good problem solver, practice maintaining a peaceful state of mind, and look into stress relief techniques such as meditation, self-care, etc.

4 steps to problem-solving

When it comes to solving problems both in and out of the workplace, there are four steps that you can take for effective problem solving; these include:

Identify the problem

The first step is to identify the problem as soon as possible. The sooner you spot a problem, the easier it may be to solve it. Allowing problems to go unnoticed means that they’ll probably become more complicated and grow in size. So ensure that you are always keeping an eye on things so that you can identify problems as they arise.

Analyse the problem

Once you have identified the problem, the next step is to analyse it. Look at the problem from a few different angles and ensure that you understand the source of the issue at hand before coming up with solutions. If you understand the root of the problem, you’re more likely to come up with solutions that will be most effective.

Come up with solutions

Practice techniques such as brainstorming when developing solutions. Come up with a variety of solutions and decide which is most fair, affordable, time-effective, and convenient in the given situation. Try to avoid making impulsive, snap decisions that you could end up regretting at a later stage.

Come up with a plan that you can use to implement the solution you have come up with, and if it involves any other parties, ensure that they know about it. Act on this plan and carry it out with precision and confidence. There should also be a contingency plan in place so that your Plan A has a fall-back should anything go wrong along the way.

Skills that are associated with problem-solving

Problem-solving can be used as an umbrella term for a diverse skill set that aids in effective problem-solving. People who are known as fantastic problem solvers often have the same sort of skill set, and if you are on the lookout for a potential manager, the following skills may be an indicator that they’d be good at solving problems. Some of the skills that are associated with problem-solving include:

Communication

Communication is a very important skill for any manager. Even if a manager comes up with great solutions if they cannot effectively communicate these solutions to their team, then what is the point? As poor communication results in good ideas getting lost in translation.

Communication skills also help managers find the root of certain issues as they’re able to easily talk to their team and ask the right questions to find the source of any workplace issues.

Good communication and transparency also help build trust in the workplace, allowing employees to report their problems to the manager without hesitation.

Confidence is one of the main features of a good leader. It takes confidence in one’s abilities to come up with great solutions, and even more, confidence to implement them and carry them out. Employees will be distrustful of a manager that is not confident and may question their problem-solving skills even though their solutions may be effective. It is all about confidence when leading a team!

Ability to keep calm under pressure

There is no doubt about it…dealing with a wide variety of problems every day can be incredibly stressful, and many managers find that they are just not cut out for the job as they succumb to the stress. A good problem-solving manager should be able to keep their stress in check and ensure that they are always calm and clear-headed when coming up with solutions. Stress will only cause a cloudy brain and increase the likelihood of making ill-informed, erratic decisions.

Logical thinking

As we have mentioned in this article already, there is a step-by-step way to logically deal with problems. Logical thinkers will easily be able to assess all of the possible solutions and choose the one that makes the most sense. Logical thinkers are also often talented when it comes to maths and finding the most affordable and convenient solutions to workplace problems, both big and small.

Creativity 

As much as logical thinking is very important, creativity plays a role that is just as important. In many instances, it takes thinking a little outside of the box in order to come up with custom solutions that best suit your specific situation in the workplace. Sometimes the best solutions are the ones that are the most creative.

A great problem solver will have a healthy relationship with their intuition and will have a keen sense of when a problem may be arising, sometimes before it even happens. A good problem solver should be able to trust their gut instinct and use their intuition as a clue to look for any issues around them.

Final Thoughts

Problem solving is a key trait for successful managers. Being able to analyse situations, people and products to come up with ways to resolve conflict or difficulty takes creativity, interpersonal skills, logistical thinking, communication and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

Whilst many people have these skills naturally, others are not natural problem solvers. If lacking in the core personality traits to be a problem solver, people can learn through example and training how to become better in these areas.

Businesses should consider problem solving as an important trait to look out for when hiring business managers and leaders to stand the best chance of the organisation being able to work through challenges and build success.

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Why is Problem Solving Important in Management?

25/03/2022 13/05/2011 | Octopus

Here are our thoughts on why is problem-solving important in management? Often, leadership is about problem-solving, with the ability to meet and tackle difficult challenges. And a knack of making the right decisions under pressure. No one can see into the future and be exactly right when envisaging what’s to come. However, this is precisely what’s expected of senior management teams and their leaders to do.

They are the ones asked to identify opportunities, risks, anticipate the future, read the trends and then provide strategic direction to the rest of us in the business. If they succeed they will be rewarded and applauded, and if they fail to read the future and solve the problems that get in the way, it’s their responsibility and asked if they would consider another role outside the company. 

Make the right decisions

When it comes to problem-solving, a good leader thinks in terms of barriers and goals. What are the short and long-term targets? And what obstacles are going to get in the way of them? As a leader, you need the vision and clarity of mind to isolate these challenges and select the actions that will deliver the best outcome. Usually, a business aims to maximise profits and of course, create a return for shareholders. But to achieve this significant objective, it’s wise to set and accomplish a series of mini-targets. Raising profits is easier said than done, and problems like the need to improve service quality, customer loyalty, productivity, employee retention and the identification of new efficiencies to reduce costs will influence whether you are going to win.

Your job to identify the best approach

There will be many ways to get to the same results, and as a leader and problem solving, it’s your job to identify the best approach open to you. Taking in all the aspects that can get in the way. You should be able to foresee obstacles that may get in the form of success, and then think creatively to get them out of your way. If this is not possible, then you need to design new ways of smashing through the problems. 

Problem-solving 

Leaders need to be able to solve problems quickly. Possibly coming to the same conclusions others will also come up with. But you have had done it in the fraction of the time and given your business a competitive edge. While your competitors are still wondering what to do, you have used problem-solving skills to be more responsive and agile to the situation. It’s not just solving problems that excellent leader need to be good at, but also detecting potential problems, finding the insight and research and then come to well thought out decisions. However, the leader has to make the final decision on what to do. They take the responsibility, so they use their business savvy, problem-solving techniques and analysis tools to reduce uncertainty before making the final decision. 

So finally, why is problem-solving important in management?

So top business leaders need to be able to quickly:

• Detect potential problems
• Carry out the necessary research and analysis
• Come to a decision
• Use excellent business instincts, have courage in their convictions,
• Understand that they will not always shave all the answers
• Bring relevant people into the decision making process. Those in the business or those better placed external authorities who would help make the decision.

Decisions taken by senior leaders will have a significant bearing on all the people within the organisation. Not only the directors and shareholders. But also the employees, suppliers and customers. They need to develop excellent problem-solving techniques, isolate and analyse the data available to them and take counsel of other people who may have a better view on the subject. Leaders will be judged on the outcomes of their actions and indeed, any lack of effort.

• The Most Effective Ways Leaders Solve Problems
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Problem Solving Skills That Managers Need To Have

We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. ― Albert Einstein.

Being a part of an organization has always been an overwhelming and exciting experience for the employees. During the job life-cycle , from the start of orientation to leaving a job learning new things and gaining skills has always been a part of it.

Well, learning is all good until and unless a situation arises that halts your learning process. Conditions like this are often referred to as the problems we face at work.

But how well do we cope up with the everyday problems that we often face? Some people are good at problem-solving. Others may think they are not. Most are somewhere in between.

If you are not sure about it, don’t worry; this article is about all the problem-solving skills you can get.

What defines a problem-solving skill?

Every problem is a gift. Without them, we wouldn’t grow. – Tony Robbins.

A problem can be defined as a situation that prevents us from achieving the goals we have set for ourselves. It can be anything from financial, personal to work-related. Problems can arise anywhere, and any activity that helps to end our problem results in problem-solving.

Our capacity to develop solutions to problems defines our ability to have good problem-solving skills. Problem-solving skills can be acquired through various training programs and learning throughout the job tenure. It is a practice that can make an individual more profound and proficient at their job.

Approaching the problems in the right way:

Problems are nothing but wake-up calls for creativity. – Gerhard Gschwandtner

Problem-solving needs the right strategies and an approach that is more effective in every possible way. Below are 4 points that will help you and your employees to take the right road to problem-solving

1. Understanding the problem:

To solve a problem, you need to understand what exactly gave rise to it. You need to get to its root and try to pick out the main trigger of the problem. You need to understand how it created a Domino effect that has impeded your organization’s work and culture.

Try to pinpoint the affected areas and come up with the necessary solutions.

2. Devising solutions:

After you have found out and dug deep into the root cause of your problem, you need to devise a plan on how to tackle it. To be successful, you need to curate a framework that is easy to understand for your team.

A framework consists of all the potential solutions to the problem that you and your employees face.

3. Evaluating solutions:

Once you come up with all the necessary solutions, it comes down to evaluating and selecting the best ones.

Brainstorming sessions are essential to decide what solutions the team needs. It will help the team meet great effectiveness. Such sessions also help the team leaders get a different perspective from different team members within the organization.

4. Implementing solutions:

The final step of problem-solving is all about implementing the solutions that you evaluated. But before implementing, try to scrutinize the solution well so that there are no loopholes left and create more problems after implementation.

Further, monitor the status of the solution that you have decided to push through. If it does not work well, try the other ones you have in hand and search for positive results.

The Problem-Solving Skills that you need to have:

A problem is a chance for you to do your best. – Duke Ellington

1. Being open-minded:

Possibilities might be high that the leading cause of the problem that you are facing is something else. So, you have to keep an open mind about accepting that the actual reason is different from the one you thought at first, which provides you with more options for answers and solutions.

Being open-minded also gives you good leverage in understanding a more wide range of problems. It also allows you to observe and notice the significant changes in an organization, eventually affecting the long run.

This is a skill that needs to be furnished with time to connect and communicate for better engagement .

2. Right attitude:

Approaching the problems needs a strategy and the right attitude . If you do not have the right idea and knowledge about what has given rise to the situation, then you won’t be able to tackle it.

You must keep your attitude positive about accepting how the situation came into play and how you will implement the solutions.

Try not to panic when you try to solve a problem. Instead, try to calm yourself, organize a team meeting, and come up with clarifications about the situation. As a leader, when you have the right and confident attitude, you can only expect a positive response from your team, and you will be able to instill good morale.

3. Being analytical:

Good problem-solving abilities need excellent analytical skills. And to enhance your analytical skills, you need to be more patient and observant about everything going around in the organization.

With time and practice, the analytical skills can be sharpened so that you can tackle problems with much more authority and proper facts.

This skill set is beneficial for both employers and employees as it will widen your already acquired skills.

4. Asking the right questions:

Now, this is one thing you need to be good at to pinpoint the direct cause of the problem you are facing at work. And you can only get better at it with practice.

Try to indulge yourself in solving problems often and asking the right questions to help others in the team.

When you become more proficient in it with time, you are more likely to ask valid questions closer to the problem. And try not to focus more on the questions that are more driven towards the problem. Rather try to question the solutions so that the problem-solving process becomes manageable. Increasing productivity and boosting morale .

5. Get creative:

Creativity has no boundaries, and it is one of the essential skills that one can have. When you have that creative edge in your team, problem-solving becomes much easier as creative thinkers can find suitable ways out of the box.

Well, that can motivate you to get creative and come up with your new ideas. It might not be easy, but it is a gradual process. You have to become more open to ideas and benefit from the endless possibilities of being more creative.

Summing it Up:

Problems can become your Achilles heels in the path of progress. Be it in your everyday life or the work-life. It can hinder your growth if you do not have the necessary skills to tackle the problem well. But skills can be learned, and with time, you can hone those skills. It all comes down to the fact of how much you are invested and eager to learn continuously .

Persevere and become a problem solver so that you can put in place effective problem-solving abilities in your organization.

Mrinmoy Rabha is a content writer and digital marketer at Vantage Circle . He is an avid follower of football and passionate about singing. For any related queries, contact [email protected]

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• Communicating the Vision
• Implementing Change
• Managing Resistance to Change
• Convince Your Employees to Embrace Change
• Personal Change Management
• Facilitation Skills
• Career Management Skills
• Persuasion and Influencing Skills
• Developing Persuasion Skills
• Transactional Analysis
• Dilts' Logical Levels

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Leadership Skills

The question of what makes a good leader—in other words, what are leadership skills —is widely debated. It is clear that the ability to lead effectively relies on a number of key skills, but also that different leaders have very different characteristics and styles.

There is, in fact, no one right way to lead in all circumstances, and one of the main characteristics of good leaders is their flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances. Leadership skills are highly sought after by employers as they involve dealing with people in such a way as to motivate, enthuse and build respect.

Here at SkillsYouNeed, you'll find lots of information that can help you to understand and develop your leadership potential.

Whether or not leadership itself can be taught, there is no question that there are a number of core skills that most good leaders have. These skills can be learnt like any others.

Skills Good Leaders Need

There are a number of broad skill areas that are particularly important for leaders.

These include strategic thinking, planning and delivery, people management, change management, communication, and persuasion and influencing.

1. Strategic Thinking Skills

Perhaps the most important skill a leader needs — and what really distinguishes leaders from managers — is to be able to think strategically.

This means, in simple terms, having an idea or vision of where you want to be and working to achieve that.

The best strategic thinkers see the big picture, and are not distracted by side issues or minor details. All their decisions are likely to be broadly based on their answer to the question ‘ does this take me closer to where I want to be? ’

Of course as well as being able to create a compelling vision, they must also be able to communicate it effectively to their followers, which is partly why communication skills are also vital to leaders.

See our pages on:

• Strategic Thinking Skills ,
• Creating a Vision , and
• Communicating a Vision .

Creating a vision is not simply a matter of having an idea. Good strategic thinking must be based on evidence, and that means being able to gather and analyse information from a wide range of sources. This is not purely about numbers, but also about knowing and understanding your market and your customers, and then—and this is crucial—using that information to support your strategic decisions.

For particular types of analysis that may be helpful in gathering information, see our pages on SWOT Analysis , PESTLE Analysis , Porter's Five Forces , The Boston Matrix and The Ansoff Matrix , The McKinsey 7 S Model of Organisational Alignment , Value Chain Analysis , Scenario Analysis , and Understanding Game Theory .

Some strategic thinking skills are more specific: for example, in marketing, where you may find the 7 Ps and customer segmentation are vital tools.

2. Planning and Delivery Skills

While it is important to be personally organised and motivated as a leader—and see our pages on Time Management and Self-Motivation for more about these areas—it is perhaps even more important to be able to plan and deliver for the organisation.

These areas are key management skills, but the best leaders will also be able to turn their hand to these. The best vision in the world is no good without the plan to turn it into reality.

Alongside strategic thinking, therefore, go organising and action planning, both essential for delivery of your vision and strategy. Project management and project planning are also helpful skills for both managers and leaders. Good risk management is also important to help you avoid things going wrong, and manage when they do.

See our pages:

• Risk Management .

Good leaders also often have very strong facilitation skills , to manage groups effectively.

Leaders also need to be able to make good decisions in support of their strategy delivery, and solve problems. With a positive attitude, problems can become opportunities and learning experiences, and a leader can gain much information from a problem addressed.

• Decision Making and
• Problem-Solving

for more about these essential areas.

3. People Management Skills

Without followers, there are no leaders. Leaders therefore need skills in working with others on a one-to-one and group basis, and a range of tools in their armoury to deal with a wide range of situations. Many of these skills are also vital for managers, and you can find out more about these in our page on Management Skills .

In particular, leaders are expected to motivate and encourage their followers, both directly (see our page on Motivating others ) and by Creating a Motivational Environment .

One of the first skills that new leaders need to master is how to delegate. This is a difficult skill for many people but, done well, delegation can give team members responsibility and a taste of leadership themselves, and help them to remain motivated. See our page on Delegation Skills for more.

There are further challenges to delegating work within a team, including balancing workloads, and ensuring that everyone is given opportunities to help them develop. See our page on Overseeing Work for more.

Leaders and managers both need to understand how to build and manage a team. They need to know how to recruit effectively, and bring people ‘on board’ through induction processes. They also need to understand the importance of performance management, both on a regular basis, and to manage poor performance.

• Induction, Orientation and ‘Onboarding’ Skills

There are a number of issues that new and existing managers commonly struggle with. For more about these, read our page on Avoiding Common Managerial Mistakes and Confidentiality in the Workplace .

4. Change Management and Innovation Skills

Change management may seem like an odd companion to people management and communication, but leadership is often particularly important at times of change.

A leader needs to understand change management in order to lead an organisation through the process. For example, change management requires the creation and communication of a compelling vision. It also requires the change to be driven forward firmly, and leadership to make it ‘stick’ if the organisation is not to revert within a very short period.

Our pages on Change Management explain more about this, including:

• Overcoming Resistance to Change

One particular element of change management is innovation. Good leaders know how to innovate, and also how to encourage innovation in others. Our page on Innovation Skills explains more.

5. Communication Skills

While communication skills are important for everyone, leaders and managers perhaps need them even more. These skills are general interpersonal skills, not specific to leadership, but successful leaders tend to show high levels of skill when communicating.

Good leaders tend to be extremely good listeners , able to listen actively and elicit information by good questioning . They are also likely to show high levels of assertiveness , which enables them to make their point without aggression, but firmly. They know how to build rapport quickly and effectively, to develop good, strong relationships with others, whether peers or subordinates. These skills come together to help to build charisma , that quality of ‘brightness’ which makes people want to follow a leader.

Leaders also need to know how to give others their views on personal performance in a way that will be constructive rather than destructive, and also hear others’ opinions of them. See our page on Giving and Receiving Feedback for more.

They are usually very good at effective speaking , equally skilled at getting their point across in a formal presentation or Board meeting, or in an informal meeting or casual corridor conversation. They have also honed their ability to communicate in difficult situations , usually by practice over time.

6. Persuasion and Influencing Skills

Finally, one particular area of communicating that is especially important for leaders is being able to persuade and influence others.

Good leaders use a range of tools for this. For more, see our pages on Persuasion and Influencing , and Developing Persuasion Skills .

Leaders also need tools to help them understand the way that others behave, and create positive interactions. As a first step, it may be helpful to understand more about emotional intelligence —another vital quality for leaders to possess—but there are a number of other tools that may also be useful, including Transactional Analysis , and Myers-Briggs Type Indicators .

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide to Leadership eBooks

Learn more about the skills you need to be an effective leader.

Our eBooks are ideal for new and experienced leaders and are full of easy-to-follow practical information to help you to develop your leadership skills.

Many people consider leadership to be an essentially work-based characteristic. However, leadership roles are all around us and not just in work environments.

Ideally, leaders become leaders because they have credibility, and because people want to follow them. Using this definition, it becomes clear that leadership skills can be applied to any situation where you are required to take the lead, professionally, socially, and at home in family settings. Examples of situations where leadership might be called for, but which you might not immediately associate with that, include:

• Planning and organising a big family get-together, for example, to celebrate a wedding anniversary or important birthday;
• Responding to an illness or death in the family, and taking steps to organise care or make other arrangements; and
• Making decisions about moving house, or children’s schooling.

In other words, leaders are not always appointed, and leadership skills may be needed in many circumstances.

With apologies to Shakespeare, we might say that “ some are born leaders, some achieve leadership, and some have leadership thrust upon them ”.

But what exactly is a leader?

A leader can be defined fairly simply as ‘ a person who leads or commands a group, organisation or country ’.

This definition is broad, and could include both formal and informal roles—that is, both appointed leaders and those who emerge spontaneously in response to events.

In recent years, considerable evidence has emerged that the strongest organisations and groups tend to permit and actively encourage each member of the group or organisation to take the lead at the appropriate point. Organisations and families with particularly controlling leaders, by contrast, tend to be fairly dysfunctional.

Leadership, therefore, is in practice fairly fluid: leaders are made by circumstances. The crucial issue is that people are prepared to follow them at the right moment.

There is more about this in our page on What is a Leader?

People also struggle with the concept of how being a leader is different from being a manager. You may have heard the idea that ‘leaders do the right thing, and managers do things right’. This is a fairly delicate distinction, and many leaders are also managers (and vice versa). Perhaps the key difference is that leaders are expected to create and communicate a compelling vision, often associated with change. Managers, on the other hand, are perhaps more often associated with maintaining the status quo.

Our page on ‘ Leadership is not Management ’ provides more discussion and ideas about this.

Developing Leadership

Many people wonder if leadership can really be taught.

People with vested interests (academics and those offering leadership training or literature of some sort) are convinced that it can. Many successful leaders, however, have never had any formal training. For them leadership is a state of mind, and it is their personalities and traits that make them successful leaders.

There is, clearly, a balance to be struck between these two positions.

There is no question that some people are intrinsically more drawn towards leadership roles than others. However, it would be nonsense to suggest—although this has been mooted in the past—that only people with certain physical or personal traits could lead. For example, it has clearly been proven that being male, or being tall, does not of itself make someone a better leader, although many leaders are both male and tall.

See our page Leadership Trait Theory for more.

It seems most likely that leadership requires certain skills. Some people will acquire these more easily than others.

You can of course learn about effective leadership skills and practices but being able to implement them yourself may require an altogether different set of skills and attitudes. The question “ Can leadership be taught? ” has no simple answer and we do not want to argue for one side or the other, but rather keep an open mind on the subject and provide information about the skills good leaders need.

Our page on Top Leadership Skills You Need may provide a useful starting point if you wish to develop your leadership skills.

One of the most important aspects of leadership is that not every leader is the same. Of course we have all heard jokes about ‘mushroom’ leadership (keep them in the dark and feed them manure) and ‘seagulls’ (swoop in, squawk, and drop unpleasant things on people) but, joking aside, there are many different styles of leadership.

Different leadership styles are appropriate for different people and different circumstances, and the best leaders learn to use a wide variety of styles.

There are many different models of leadership style, but perhaps one of the best-known is Daniel Goleman’s Six Leadership Styles. This is almost certainly one of the models that is most strongly-rooted in research, which may explain some of its popularity.

Our page on Leadership Styles sets out that Goleman identified six styles, which he labelled:

• Coercive, or commanding – ‘do as I say’
• Pace-setting – ‘do as I do, right now’
• Authoritative – ‘come with me’
• Affiliative – ‘people come first’
• Democratic – ‘what do you think?’
• Coaching – ‘try it and see’

What Sort of Leader are You?

Take our quiz - What Sort of Leader are You? to discover which leadership styles you use and which may need further development.

You may then want to see our page on Developing Your Leadership Style for more about how to improve the styles in which you are weaker.

Entrepreneurship, Self-Employment and Freelancing

Entrepreneurship is often linked to change management and, likewise, requires leadership skills. The skills required for setting up your own business, however, are not exactly the same as for leading a large organisation.

Freelancing is becoming a very significant part of developed economies. In the UK there are over 2 million freelancers who generate a combined £109 billion a year. (According to The Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed ).

In the US as many as 55 million people work as freelancers (35% of the working population) contributing $1.4 trillion to the economy. It is predicted that freelancers will soon become the workforce majority.

India, Canada, Australia and New Zealand also have large self-employed and freelance economies.

For more about working for yourself, and how to develop the skills required, see our pages on Entrepreneurship, Self-Employment and Freelancing .

The Skills You Need Guide to Self-Employment and Running Your Own Business

If you are thinking about running your own business, or already do so, but feel that you need some guidance, then this eBook is for you. It takes you through self-employment in easy steps, helping you to ensure that your business has more chance of success.

The Skills You Need Guide to Self-Employment and Running Your Own Business is the guide no new or aspiring entrepreneur can afford to be without!

Based on our popular self-employment and entrepreneurship content.

A wide range of skills…

There are, by definition, a huge number of skills that may be useful to leaders.

The skills outlined here are perhaps the most important, but others may also be helpful. The best leaders know that they still have much to learn, and continue to try to develop a wide range of skills all the time. Browse our A-Z list of Leadership Skills for more ideas.

Continue to: What Sort of Leader Are You? Personal Development