No matter how successful you are in business, chances are you’ll come across a problem at some point. So, the question is: how do you problem solve?

We tend to react to problems in multiple ways: we get afraid or uncomfortable, or sometimes just wish the problem would just go away. We need to tackle the problem head on and find the solution, or else we’ll look for someone to blame. Learning how to problem solve better can help you become better in business as well.

What’s the Problem?

Get to the bottom of the issue first – identify the problem and ask yourself or your team, what are the challenges that we’re facing? If you’re in a team, then it’s important to remember that people might have different views of what the problem is, so speak to each other to really help narrow down what you need to work on.

The best solutions tend to be the one that satisfies everyone’s interests. When a problem arises it’s vital to remain calm. It’s time to employ active listening and find out what the problem is from various angles, as it’ll be the first step to solving the problem.

What Are the Options Available?

Once you’ve gotten to the root of the problem, it’s time to brainstorm and come up with alternatives and possible solutions. By combining creativity and logical thinking, make a list of all the possible options you could employ to help fix the problem.

One direction could lead to more cons than pros, so it’s important to seriously assess alternatives available to you and your team. Analyze all aspects including money, time, staff, and resources necessary for each approach. Consider the return that you can expect from various strategies.

What’s the Best Solution?

After comparing all the options and alternatives, it’s time to choose the right solution or strategy. Ask yourself what you want out of the option you chose. What must the solution accomplish? Define what you want from the outcome to your problem and then you’ll know which solution to go with.

To get the most out of the scenario, be sure to pick the correct strategy by comparing all the various outcomes. What is the best thing to do at this time under the circumstances? Strong decision-making is essential at this stage.

Have You Made the Right Decision?

You’ve very carefully considered all your options and selected the best strategy for your problem. Now, it’s important to stick with it. If you were the decision maker then be sure to accept complete responsibility for the decision, and be assertive and confident – that way, your team will also get behind the strategy.

With enough planning you’ll have chosen the best solution, but it’s also important to prepare for the worst possible outcome. It’s even more important to know how you’ll overcome it. If your solution doesn’t work, be ready to accept that and try something else.

Finally, has it worked out? Don’t forget to measure your progress – how else will you find out whether or not your chosen solution to the problem has worked.

Problem solving is a skill that every entrepreneur needs to know. No problem is without its solution, so how do you problem-solve? What are your top tips?