Telephone Excellence by Mike Mitchell

Be a Problem Solver
By Mike Mitchell

Imagine the conference room at your organization. Around the conference table sits the CIO, CFO, and Human Resources staff. The discussion is focused on creating a new leadership position within the IT department. Several names have been submitted for the position, including yours. Would you have an advocate in that room? What could your advocate say about you to sway the group to award you the new leadership position?

If you are a problem solver, you have an inside track. It's been my experience that most employees are great at uncovering and pointing out problems, but very few take the time or initiative to find and recommend a solution.

Just like you, company executives don't need another problem to solve. They have plenty of their own. What they need is an employee willing and able to find a solution to a new or existing problem. Of course, I'm not recommending hiding problems from the executives, but rather having a solution in mind when bringing it to their attention.

Even though you may not have all the financial information needed to present a complete solution, you should certainly have a viable plan including two or three options. By presenting the solution, and not just the problem, you can gain the confidence and trust of your organization's leadership for several reasons.

* First, they will recognize that you're observant. You notice situations that need to be corrected to improve the hospital's processes, procedures, or appearance.
* Second, you are willing to do the research necessary to find options, instead of just passing the problem on to someone else.
* Third, since being a problem solver can be risky if the problem is outside your area of responsibility, they will observe your communications and collaboration skills.
* Fourth, as you take action and correct the problem, they can see you as a "Can Do" employee.

It takes courage to be a problem solver since there is always opposition. Your co-workers might view your efforts as intruding into their territory or trying to embarrassing them. Make sure your motives are in the best interest of the company and not purely toward personal gain.

When you do what's right for your company, you will also increase your value. As you develop your reputation as a capable problem solver, you will better position yourself for promotions and rewards.

~Mike