February 1, 2023 The Importance of Problem Solvers in the Workforce

Do you consider yourself a problem-solver? Problem-solving skills are in high demand. Consider how you can leverage this skill in your work.

Problem-solving skills are in high demand. Why is this so? What happens when this skill set is lacking? Are we born problem solvers? And how can you become a better problem solver? Let’s dig into some of these issues and analyze the link between problem solving and our work lives.

Once you understand the importance of problem-solving and how to cultivate it, don’t forget to sell yourself on it. It’s important to learn how to say “problem solver” on a resume beyond just including it in your skills list.

Let’s dig a little deeper.

What Is a Problem Solver?

Problem-solving skills are soft skills, those more akin to personality traits, and they are therefore not easily taught. Life experience and on-the-job experience often help a person develop problem-solving skills.

Problem-solving involves the following steps:

• Identifying a problem.
• Doing research to fully understand it.
• Brainstorming possible solutions.
• Testing the most likely solution.
• Repeating the process if needed.

Problem solvers actively work to implement solutions, and they can also work independently, not relying on outside approval for every decision they make.

Every Job Involves Problem-Solving

Problem-solving is a highly transferable skill. After all, “employers hire employees… to help them solve problems.”

From entry level to the most specialist jobs, almost every workforce can be boiled down to problem-solving. How so? Consider some examples.

• A line cook must solve the problem of adjusting to a larger-than-average lunch crowd.
• A graphic designer tackles software issues, avoids look-alikes, and creates multiple revisions of a logo for a picky customer.
• An engineer studies how to overcome a water flow issue and creates several possible solutions for review.
• A software design team must adjust to meet a new budget or deadline.
• A preschool teacher must deal with interpersonal conflict between her students and between herself and fellow staff members.

All of these tasks involve identifying and overcoming problems. Independent problem-solving skills are becoming especially important in remote and hybrid settings, where direction from and communication with supervisory staff may not be immediate.

It is easy to see why this skill is valuable in the workplace. What, though, would happen if problem-solving skills were lacking in an employee?

When Problem-Solving Skills Are Lacking

Consider an example of an employee who lacked problem-solving skills.

An automotive parts distributor sent out sales representatives to retail stores and automotive shops. They were told they could authorize special deals or promotions (such as free products or a percentage discount) to gain new customers or maintain old ones.

One sales rep encountered a store owner who said he had received a better deal from another supplier. The owner said that if the rep could better the competitor’s deal, he would return his business to them.

The sales rep would have to offer a discount of a few percentage points more than he had previously discussed with his employer. This discount would mean a loss of a few hundred dollars, but retain the customer. This would mean thousands of dollars in sales.

The rep was scared to make a decision. He wanted to discuss the matter with his boss rather than make the calculations himself on the spot. In the meantime, the customer decided to purchase supplies from the competing company. The sales rep’s boss was not happy that he had lost a customer.

Had the sales rep been confident enough to solve the problem and calculate the long-term benefits, he might have retained the customer. While taking a risk, and a short-term loss, it would have benefited the company overall.

Cultivating Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving skills are not taught in a classroom, but you can work on improving your own skills today and train your brain.

Think about a problem or challenge. Do some research or look at other examples to gain a good understanding of the issue. Brainstorm solutions, make spider diagrams or whatever works best for you. Analyze which solution is likely to be best, and make a plan to implement it.

You can also work to cultivate related soft skills, such as:

• Open-mindedness
• Active listening
• Analytical skills
• Creativity
• Communication
• Dependability
• Teamwork

According to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, “86 percent of employers look for problem-solving skills on student resumes.”

This does not mean that they simply look for the word “problem-solving” in the skills section. They want to see your skills in action, through brief descriptions of your accomplishments. Ask yourself, “how would I describe a circumstance in which I successfully solved a problem?” Do so in one sentence.

Key Takeaways

• Problem-solving skills are an asset at any job.
• When employees lack problem-solving skills, they may become easily frustrated or slow down the company’s workflow.
• Problem-solving skills can be cultivated through practice: Identify the problem, do research, brainstorm solutions, and test the most likely solution.

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