Solving problems step by step

Write down on a piece of paper

• what the problem is and
• what goal is to be achieved,
• write down at least 3-4 ideas for a solution. These can also be surprising or unusual ideas. What would a manager or grandmother suggest?
• Check each individual solution idea for its advantages and disadvantages,
• decide on the best solution,
• divide the solution into individual steps and implement them in everyday life,
• check which steps were successful and whether the goal was achieved.

If the first attempt does not produce a satisfactory solution to the problem, consider which of the previous problem-solving steps should be revisited.

Mr. A. had made a habit of eating alone in his office. Now he thought about how pleasant it could be to eat together with his colleagues and have interesting conversations. But how should he make contact? As he couldn’t think of a solution straight away, he decided to tackle the problem step by step.

He took a sheet of paper and wrote down,

• what is the problem and what is the goal to be achieved?

Problem: I eat alone too often and I get bored. My colleagues have been going out to eat together for a long time. Goal: To join a group.

• Write down at least 3-4 ideas for solutions. These can also be surprising or unusual ideas. What would a manager or grandmother suggest?

First write down everything that comes to mind:

1. He could simply approach the colleague in the neighboring office to see if he can join him and his group.
2. He could put a note on his office door saying: I’m hungry, take me with you!
3. He could simply join his colleagues at the table.
4. His grandmother had always been in favor of simply trying something new. He could see who else is sitting alone in the canteen and ask if he can join them.

• Check the pros and cons of each individual solution.

Re 1. Colleague – advantage: He had already spoken to the colleague in the office next door a few times. He seemed nice and regularly went to the canteen. Disadvantage: Mr. A. didn’t like two guys who accompanied his colleague.

Re 2. Note – advantage: Many people walk past the office and can read his call for help. Disadvantage: He would have to go with everyone who takes his call for help seriously.

Re 3. Sit down – advantage: He would sit at the same table as his colleagues. Disadvantage: Sometimes colleagues know each other personally and Mr. A. might be disturbing when discussing private matters.

Re 4. Grandmother – advantage: There are always colleagues who sit alone at the table because they have no one to talk to. Disadvantage: No one he could think of spontaneously. He could simply ask if he could sit down.

• Decide on the best solution.

Solution no. 4 seemed the easiest for Mr. A. to implement. After all, he could choose who he wanted to sit with.

• Divide the solution into individual steps and implement them in everyday life.

Step 1: Mr. A. would go to the canteen the very next day. Step 2: Once in the canteen, he would first get an overview of who was sitting alone at the table. Step 3: He would choose one person and greet them in a friendly manner: “Hello, is the seat next to you still free?” With the help of the talk2b^® Beyond judgment method, Mr. A. would also find it easy to start a conversation.

• Check which steps were successful and whether the goal was achieved.

It worked straight away and even resulted in an interesting conversation.

Ms. B. came back from shopping in the evening in a good mood and wanted to park her car in the rented parking space. As she turned into her street, she noticed an unusual number of parked vehicles. A garden party was in full swing at her neighbor’s house. Her good mood turned to anger when she found a strange vehicle in her parking space. The anger prevented her from thinking clearly. So she began to solve the problem step by step.

Although she didn’t have a sheet of paper to hand in the car, she remembered the individual steps for solving a problem, i.e.

• What is the problem and what goal should be achieved?

Problem: My parking space is occupied. Goal: Remove the other person’s vehicle.

• Write down at least 3-4 solution ideas. These can also be surprising or unusual ideas. What would a manager or grandmother suggest?

Mrs. B.’s mood was in full swing. She didn’t have to think long about the surprising and unusual.

1. The classic. Park the car and wait to see what happens.
2. Writing on the windshield with lipstick: No parking!
3. Mingle with the guests and make an announcement like in a supermarket: “The owner of the vehicle with the license plate XYZ would like to come to his vehicle please”.
4. An experienced manager would probably approach the problem less emotionally. He would ring the neighbor’s doorbell and point out the problem.

• Check each individual solution idea for its advantages and disadvantages.

Re 1. Parking up – Advantage: She would have peace for the time being and the solution would suit her anger. Let the other person get annoyed too. Disadvantage: You could wake them up in the morning to drive your own vehicle away.

Re 2. Lipstick – Advantage: The driver would have his misconduct directly in front of him in writing. It would be time-consuming to remove the lipstick and would allow time to think. Disadvantage: Perhaps the vehicle belongs to a woman who also has lipstick.

Re 3. Announcement – Advantage: She would have the guests’ full attention. Disadvantage: Might seem a bit over the top.

Re 4. Manager – Advantage: Keep calm. Using the talk2b^® Beyond judgment technique to address only what is observable and nameable protects Ms. B. from appearing too emotional. She was also in the right. With PIRKA^® Making a demand, she was able to emphasize her justified demand. Disadvantage: She would probably still be upset. Just take a deep breath and breathe out calmly. Then ring the bell.

• Decide on the best solution.

Solution no. 4 seemed realistic and promising.

• Divide the solution into individual steps and implement them in everyday life.

She skipped this point and marched purposefully to the neighbor’s door. The neighbor was understanding and the problem was solved.

• Check which steps were successful and whether the goal was achieved.

Looking back, she was glad that she had taken the time to solve the problem step by step. This allowed her to calm down a little and think about different solutions.

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