Denise Middlebrook, PhD

In a recent technical assistance call with one of your fellow BH2I grantees, the project director mentioned that her approach to project problems and challenges is to direct her team members be “solution-focused.” That is, rather than allowing her team to focus solely on the challenges of and threats to the project, she refocuses on proactive and positive approaches. She asks them to consider challenges with solution-oriented mindsets. She asks them to be proactive and positive and to take action to overcome obstacles rather than to dwell on the problems themselves. She asks them what can be done, rather than what can’t be done. That method has helped her project solve many of the challenges that all BH2I grantees face, from staffing shortages to primary care buy-in and everything in between.

How to Develop Solution-oriented Mindset in your Life and Your Team?

Throughout human history, survival was the primary concern, and addressing problems and challenges was crucial for our existence. This instinct is deeply ingrained in our psyche, even in modern times it leads us to focus on potential threats and issues much more than on potential opportunities and solutions. Apart from our natural inclinations we are surrounded by the media that tend to prioritize reporting on problems, conflicts, disasters, and negative events as they grab attention and increase viewership. This constant exposure to negative news can reinforce our problem-oriented way of thinking and can even create the perception of the problem-centric world. However, human progress is driven by identifying and solving problems, not thinking about them. We should work towards solutions and improvements, promoting a more balanced view of the world. Acknowledging the positive aspects and celebrating achievements can help shift our perception away from solely problem-focused lenses.

Negativity Bias

All of us have what social psychology call, “negativity bias.” That is, we pay more attention to negative information over positive information that causes us to believe that our problems are more prevalent than they are. Negativity bias affects how we think, feel, and act and it is rarely an effective way to approach problems.

When we understand that negativity bias can prevent the development of effective solutions, we can learn to minimize its effect on our work. We can become more aware of our thought patterns and how we respond to challenges emotionally.

Solution-oriented

What does it mean to be solution-oriented? Well, people who are solution-oriented focus on finding practical and effective solutions to problems and challenges. They are proactive and positive, and they take action to overcome obstacles rather than dwelling on the problems themselves. This approach leads to greater productivity and constructive outcomes in their home lives and their work lives. The main traits of solution-oriented approaches include the following.

  • Positive mindset even in the face of setbacks.
  • Focus on identifying creative approaches to tackle the issue at hand.
  • Proactiveness and initiative to seek ways to implement solutions.
  • Thinking creatively.
  • Seeking support from others and recognizing diverse perspectives.
  • Quick adjusting of an approach if the initial solution does not yield the desired results.
  • Seeing failure as a learning opportunity and motivation to keep trying.

A Solution-Oriented Team

As the Lead TA Coordinator for BH2I since 2017, I cannot think of one single grantee program that hasn’t faced significant challenges and threats to their projects. You all have had to deal with set-backs. Those projects that have demonstrated solution-oriented team approaches to program challenges and threats are on track to be fully integrated and sustainable programs.

So, how do you get your team to be solution-oriented? If solution-oriented thinking is what you want in your teams, you need to try the following.

  • Set the right example of how to act and provide your team members with appropriate feedback in real time.
  • Break down the problems into smaller more manageable components to make it easier to identify potential solutions for each part if problems are overwhelming to your team members.
  • Encourage creative thinking in your team meetings. Brainstorming and looking for different options is a valuation part of problem solving and if a solution doesn’t work, view it as a learning opportunity and a way to make course corrections.
  • Acknowledge and celebrate successes no matter how small. Express appreciation and thankfulness among team members. Doing so fosters feelings of connectedness and trust.
  • Reinforce a solution-oriented mindset in your team with positive appreciation and as a result, your team members are not afraid of expressing their views openly. You never know what solution can arise from a work environment where trust is a natural part of the work-place.
  • Emphasize identifying and amplifying solutions in your everyday communications rather than analyzing problems in depth. Talk about a preferred future where your project problems have been resolved. Set the positive mind-set by example.

It can’t hurt, it might help!

Solution-oriented problem solving has no downside. It’s easier than allowing your team to bury themselves in negativity and then trying to dig yourselves out of that hole. Try it. Your Sister Sky TA team can help you with this. Reach out with your thoughts and questions. We are here for you.

Article Sources

https://ginlalli.com/solution-focused-work-in-the-workplace/
https://www.teamsupporter.nl/en/oplossingsgericht-werken-of-probleemgericht-werken-thats-the-question/