How Can I Encourage My Team to Be Solution-Oriented Rather Than Just Taking Direction?

I posted a thread “How to communicate better with your team as a non-designer” on Threads, and I got this question in return. And it got me thinking. ⚙️

I love this! How can I encourage my team to be solution-oriented rather than just taking direction? I find that my Dev/Des teams want requirements based on the client's wants but really I want the experts to say ‘this is what you need and this is how” … Thoughts?

My response to the questions was:

Such a good question! I think you should find and talk to the generalists/full-stack/product-oriented in your team, members who see the big picture and have a tendency to give suggestions. If you do not who they are maybe it’s a great idea to slowly encourage autonomy in your team and ask them questions like: What do you think is the best approach to this issue? Organising a brainstorming session might turn out to be useful and make space for them to open up.

The more I thought about it the deeper I started to think about this issue. So next time you find yourself in a similar pickle, consider implementing these strategies:

Empowerment and Ownership

1. Try to cultivate autonomy: Shift the responsibility of problem-solving from leadership to team members. Delegate and make them take ownership of challenges and encourage them to propose solutions rather than just reporting problems. Or worse just trying to implement a suggested solution without evaluating it. This can be achieved by asking open-ended questions like, “What do you think is the best approach to this issue?”, “Do you think there is a better way to go about this?” This approach encourages creativity in finding solutions.
2. Set and be clear about your expectations: Clearly define what a solution-oriented mindset looks like within your team, department or company. For instance, you could instruct team members to present at least three potential solutions for every problem they raise. This practice will not only encourage critical thinking but also will ensure that discussions are constructive and focused on outcomes.

Developing a Solution-Oriented Culture

1. Embody solution-oriented behaviour and be an example: As a leader, demonstrate the behaviours you want to see in your team. When faced with challenges, frame discussions around opportunities and solutions rather than problems. This sets a precedent and shows your team how to approach issues constructively.
2. Don’t forget to celebrate small wins: Recognise and celebrate even minor successes in problem-solving. Positive reinforcement can motivate team members to continue seeking solutions and promote a supportive environment where individuals feel valued for their contributions. 💪🏼

Encourage Creative Thinking

1. Organize brainstorming sessions: Try to regularly hold brainstorming sessions where your team members can freely share ideas without fear of criticism. This will encourage innovation and allow team members to explore different perspectives on the given challenge, leading to more effective solutions. For remote brainstorming sessions, you can use any whiteboard tool or FigJam. *Check email for affiliate link*
2. Break down problems into smaller chunks: When you encounter complex issues, help your team break them down into smaller, manageable components. This makes it will make it easier to identify potential solutions for each part and prevent them from feeling overwhelmed or helpless.

Focus on Communication!

1. Try to use solution-focused language: Encourage your team to adopt a language that emphasizes solutions rather than problems. For example, instead of saying “We can’t do this because…”, prompt them to say “What if we try this approach instead?” This shift in language can potentially influence their mindset.
2. Ask the right questions: Train your team to ask questions that lead to solutions, such as “What has worked in the past?” or “What resources can we leverage to address this issue?” This technique will promote a proactive approach to problem-solving and hopefully encourage their critical thinking.

Give it a go! Implementing these strategies should help you nurture a culture of solution-oriented thinking within your teams, letting them contribute more effectively to project goals while leveraging their expertise to provide valuable insights and recommendations. 😌

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