A lot of us have acquired the habit of dumping a problem on our manager’s shoulders to let the boss figure out the solution. But possibility thinking and an emphasis on finding solutions will result in pleasant surprises and a more productive team.

Here are some tips on applying a solution-only approach and possibility thinking.
 

Tip No. 1. Every employee should be encouraged to have at least three possible solutions to any complaint or problem before voicing it.
Tip No. 2. People may become frustrated or even angry with this approach but most will get the hang of it. They will soon realize that they not only came up with a solution but that they also were able to implement it themselves.
Tip No. 3. Incorporate this new approach into staff meetings. Eliminate the long, boring reporting sessions and instead ask each team to identify a key issue they want resolved. Then brainstorm all the possible solutions to that issue.
Tip No. 4. Empower your staff even further by asking each employee to take a turn facilitating staff meetings. Creative ideas will flow, productivity will increase and morale will improve.
Tip No. 5. When you have a whole team of possibility thinkers, there is a greater sense of ownership. Everyone becomes part of the solution. It creates a far more pleasant environment and reduces stress.
Tip. No. 6. Be patient. Possibility thinking does not come naturally to everyone but it can be learned.

Utility employees should take the following quiz to better understand if they are possibility thinkers.

• Are you willing to begin a new project without being absolutely guaranteed of its success?
• Will you start working on a new idea before you have every single fact?
• Do you concentrate on the ways something can be done instead of looking for reasons for why it won’t work?
• Are you inclined to accept a solution to a problem, even when you can’t visualize it?
• Do you immediately point out the advantages of an idea before you point out the disadvantages?
• Are you open to doing old tasks in new ways?
• Do you ever accept a new idea even if you have already made other plans?

Those who answer yes to these questions are possibility thinkers and the sky’s the limit. Those who answer no may be limiting their opportunity for personal and professional success as well as impacting the success of their team.

One thing that holds employees back when it comes to problem solving and using their creativity is a tendency to get in their own way. Sometimes, people gain more if they can think outside their box and recognize ideas and thoughts that may actually be limiting or restricting their abilities. Everyone benefits when a utility’s employees use their creativity to boost revenues.

Employees might understand the benefits of creativity if they ask themselves what if:

• I could discover an entirely new source of profits, previously overlooked?
• I could multiply productivity through great new ideas and solutions?
• I and my co-workers generated so many great ideas that progress seemed almost effortless?
• Problems never overwhelmed me because a multitude of creative solutions are easily accessible?
• I could visualize opportunities where there appear to be none?

Following are some potential areas where employees stand in their own way.

If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It. You can’t be successful today if you’re only fixing what’s broken. Find ways to turn “good” into “great.” Constantly look for ways to improve and seek out innovative solutions. Don’t be satisfied with something that’s simply “not broken.”
 

I’m Too Busy to Re-invent What’s Already Working Fine. Highly successful people have learned the key to success is setting aside time -- every day -- to think and innovate. Encourage your staff to do the same.
 

Everybody Finds Fault With Any Different or Unconventional Ideas. Most organizations, both large and small, place the highest value on creativity and innovation. Expect to be criticized at times, though. It goes with the territory. But the potential rewards are so great you can’t afford to get caught in the conformity trap.
 

I Can’t Afford to Make A Mistake. Sometimes a new idea may not end up being the best idea. View these situations as opportunities for improvement. Identify what worked well and what did not. Then make adjustments. Learn to welcome failure.
 

Finally, to help you and your employees assess your openness to creativity and your ability to tap into it, ask the following questions with a yes or no response and then tally up the answers.

• Do we encourage our staff to generate new ideas?
• Do I put problems into a positive perspective?
• Does our staff have a clear understanding of our goals and priorities?
• Is our environment conducive to creativity?
• Does my work group generate ideas together?
• Do we thoroughly evaluate ideas and alternatives before committing?
• Are good ideas moving toward reality and not languishing or "on hold"?
• Are we looking for new sources of profit or revenue?

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Copyright 2005 CyberTech, Inc.