What do you do if your team is facing a complex problem during a project?
When your team encounters a complex problem during a project, it can be a real test of your people management skills. It's crucial to tackle the issue head-on, ensuring that the team remains motivated and focused on finding a solution. A strong leader understands the importance of clear communication, collaboration, and a systematic approach to problem-solving. By guiding your team through the challenge with a clear strategy, you can turn a difficult situation into a valuable learning experience and an opportunity to strengthen the team's cohesion and resilience.
Begin by thoroughly assessing the problem. Gather your team and encourage open discussion to understand the issue from all angles. This is the time to listen actively to your team members' insights and concerns. A clear understanding of the problem is essential before you can develop an effective strategy to tackle it. Ensure that everyone has a voice and feels heard, as this will not only help in identifying the root cause but also foster a sense of inclusivity and trust within the team.
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Understanding the problem in detail by having an open discussion with the entire team. Delegate the responsibility of analysing the root cause and come up with the solution, share your perspectives, help to stack the problems and follow the agile pattern to fix it. Monitor the progress, and appreciate the efforts.
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The answer is in the details, you just haven’t looked into it. Get into the trenches and sometimes the answer is very simple to a complex problem once you are in the details.
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Quando sua equipe enfrenta um problema complexo, comece ouvindo todos os membros para entender melhor a situação. Em seguida, reúna todos para uma sessão de troca de ideias, onde ideias são compartilhadas livremente. Escolha a melhor solução em conjunto e crie um plano de ação claro e detalhado. Execute o plano com comunicação aberta e ajuste conforme necessário durante o processo. Finalmente, avalie os resultados juntos para aprender e melhorar no futuro.
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Efetivamente resolver problemas em equipes envolve uma abordagem colaborativa e comunicação eficaz. Promover discussões abertas e garantir que todos sejam ouvidos leva a uma melhor compreensão do problema e cria um ambiente de confiança e inclusão. Isso não só ajuda a identificar a causa principal com eficácia, mas também fortalece a dinâmica do grupo e a habilidade de encontrar soluções criativas em conjunto.
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1. Inform affected stakeholders immediately depending upon the impact of the problem. 2. Find all the possible background & relevant data and dig to the root cause of the problem. 3. Base your solution on - short term and long term action plan, as necessary. However, most significant situations require both. 4. Reach out to people for help. There is a high chance someone has encountered at least a part of the problem. Fast track the learnings and eliminate dead ends sooner. 5. Be resourceful while solving the problem and do your best to avoid future occurrences. Make the process as people independent as you can. 5. Once you have solved the problem, document it in detail, and lastly communicate back to the stakeholders!
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I recommend the following steps, 1. Assess the situation and problem carefully, involve all stakeholders, and create a comprehensive understanding of the issue. 2. Articulate and document the problem very well. A very well-defined problem statement is equivalent to solving the issue half. 3. Create a collaborative environment/platform and encourage everyone to share ideas openly. A transparent environment will improve ownership. 4. Create a proper governance and approach. Brainstorm - Evaluate - Select - Plan - Action - Monitor - Report/Communicate. 5. Lead with a calm and positive attitude, instil confidence and motivate the team. 6. Celebrate the success (must) and document RCA for future learning and correction.
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When your team is facing a complex problem during a project, it can be tempting to panic & lose focus. As a leader & as per my experience its important to stay calm & approach methodically. Don't do it Alone! Engage your team members in the process, encourage them to brainstorm the potential solutions. And remember, a leader always leads by example.
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Facing issues during Project is common. what need to be done is to map out everything from the beginning of the project timeline. and map out all the challenges that will be face. then break those problem into Internal or External. once you map out everything then you make several plan (B,C,D) then set up the timeline within the range of several probablities. don't forget 1. reach out to your boss or mentor when you face problem 2. the faster the better 3. the longer you sit with the problem is like having monkey sitting in your shoulders. so react, be agile, flexible, adapt, and move on
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It’s definitely time to harness the power of the team. Your leadership comes in knowing when it’s time to move the emphasis from listening to synthesising answers and to start setting a direction that you know the most energetic members of the team will support. But don’t stop listening.
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First thing to check would be if or not the problem at hand was part of the risk assessment- if it was then there should have been a mitigation plan. If the problem is unpredicted then a thorough analysis would be needed with quick action planning and assigning accountability to an individual who can take ownership and solve the problem - may be put a swat team in place who has the knowledge, skill and the connections in the enterprise to move the different pieces towards a solution.
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1. Access the situation 2. Collaborate and brainstorm 3. Breakdown the problem 4. Prioritize and strategize 5. Experiment & Iterate 6. Maintain flexibility 7. Seek input from stakeholders 8. Provide support & resources 9. Celebrate progress 10. Learn and improve
Once the problem is clearly defined, collaborate with your team to create a plan of action. Use this opportunity to leverage the diverse skills and experiences of your team members. Encourage brainstorming sessions where all ideas are valued, and develop a step-by-step plan that outlines roles, responsibilities, and deadlines. This collective approach not only generates a variety of potential solutions but also ensures that everyone is committed to the chosen course of action.
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A well-defined problem is a half-solved problem. I always understand the exact area where the challenge is and then make a strategic move to overcome that challenge. I track progress to see how we are doing after a week, a month, or a quarter.
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We can achieve so much together. Encouraging all team members to express their ideas is critical for improving innovation, creativity, and solving complicated problems.
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Brainstorm Solutions: Once the problem is defined, brainstorm possible solutions. Encourage all team members to contribute their ideas.
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Problem is nothing but having little knowledge about the issue in a given situation. In case of problem one must discuss with teams and discussion should happen for problem solving. The discussion will bring out the required solution which will be risk averse and end users friendly.
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It's important to identify and involve all parties involved in the task at hand while planning, this avoids invalid assumptions and brings forward the support needed to overcome the issue. Planning with the team is a very effective way to get the buy in from the team. A good plan and a commitment from the team is key to solving the issue.
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1. Assess the situation calmly. 2. Promote open communication among team members. 3. Reevaluate and adjust the project plan if needed. 4. Utilize the diverse strengths within your team for innovative solutions. 5. Break down problems and celebrate each small victory to keep morale high. Challenges are opportunities for growth and team bonding. Share your own strategies below!
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Problem is nothing but having little knowledge about the issue in a given situation. In case of problem one must discuss with teams and discussion should happen for problem solving. The discussion will bring out the required solution which will be risk averse and end users friendly.
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I suggest we all take a moment to look at everything going on, think it through, and maybe even chat with some experts or do some digging if we need to. Before we start brainstorming fixes, let's make sure we've got a good grip on what the actual problem is. If we all pitch in our thoughts, we can see things from different angles. And if we break it down into smaller chunks, we might figure out a smarter way to handle it. Once we've got some options on the table, let's talk them out and find some common ground so we can make solid decisions together. And when we put plans into action, let's stay open to tweaking things as we go along based on how stuff's working out and any new info that comes up.
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Antes de iniciar qualquer planejamento é importante estar seguro que ha clareza sobre o problema que precisa ser resolvido. Com o problema identificado, tenha certeza que possui todas as competências e habilidades necessárias no time para iniciar a discussão das hipóteses de solução. Promova um ambiente que permita e provoque a participação de todas as pessoas capazes de contribuir com ideias de solução e possam convergir em testar uma ou mais hipóteses. A partir disso, planeje a execução das hipóteses garantindo que ha disponibilidade de todas as pessoas e recursos necessários. Para qualquer uma destas etapas esteja aberto para pedir ajuda a outras pessoas que podem ter passado por desafios similares.
Effective delegation is key when addressing complex problems. Assign roles based on each team member's strengths and expertise. This ensures that tasks are handled efficiently and that each individual can contribute meaningfully to solving the problem. Clear role definition also helps to prevent confusion and overlap of responsibilities, which can be a common issue in high-pressure situations.
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Assigning the roles and delegating it to the appropriate people will be a good idea in order to make them the owners of their on actions and then the involvement on the task will be much better than directed by others. As the outcome is critical, delegation need to be done with almost importance
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Besides let the role of each person involved in the project very clear for all, it is important to make a good and strong Chanel of communication between the leaders and the team, in which people can trust. It is recommended to establish deadlines to the tasks and make feedbacks when necessary.
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Delegation is crucial in effective planning and execution of tasks within a team. Identifying the right person with the appropriate skills and expertise for a particular task can significantly enhance efficiency and ensure successful completion within the allocated time frame. Effective delegation not only distributes workload evenly within the team, but also empowers individuals to take ownership of their work and contribute to the overall success of the project.
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If the issues is big, assigning task to the expert give better results. With this, people work with more focus toward their assigned task.
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Effective delegation is crucial when tackling complex problems as it allows you to harness the diverse strengths and expertise of your team members. By assigning tasks based on individual capabilities, you ensure efficient task handling and meaningful contributions. Clear role definitions prevent confusion and overlap of responsibilities, promoting streamlined collaboration, particularly in high-pressure situations. Ultimately, effective delegation enhances efficiency, empowers team members, and optimises problem-solving efforts, setting the stage for successful outcomes in challenging scenarios.
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It is definitely important to delegate responsibilities and roles, however skill and will play a key role. Also commitment and integrity are important to delegate ownership which will help the leadership to plan a task with high success. Often multitasking is considered as vital but it is not pragmatic in high pressure environment. So avoid multi tasking in complex scenarios
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Uma solução eficaz para lidar com problemas complexos é a delegação inteligente. Atribua funções com base nas habilidades e experiências de cada membro da equipe para garantir uma abordagem eficiente e contribuições significativas. Uma definição clara de papéis reduz confusões e sobreposições de responsabilidades, especialmente em situações de alta pressão.
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Adding to this as leader it is our key responsibilities to empower team and strengthen their skill to handle any challenges at work . Secondly delegate the work assignment to each team as per their strength and weakness. Thirdly , support,motivate and encourage them to handle and complete the assignment.
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Assigning roles help in clear path to work together and avoid overlaps and conflict between team members. So define roles clearly and make changes in alignment with team members if and when required.
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Need to assign role according to skill will matrix.. Those employee who have will and skill both they can handle the complexity easily.
Keep a close eye on the progress of the project. Regular check-ins with your team members will help you gauge whether the plan is working or if adjustments are needed. These monitoring sessions are also an opportunity for team members to share updates, express concerns, and provide feedback. Staying engaged with the team's progress is vital for maintaining momentum and ensuring that the problem is being effectively addressed.
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La roue de Deming est tellement claire sur la question . Tout projet doit suivre la logique de la roue : PDCA : Plan Do Check Act. Vous planifiez , vous exécutez, vous vous arrêtez pour vérifier/contrôler et vous corrigez/améliorez. Le suivi -évaluation a mi parcours est très important pour la réussite d’un projet . Ça permet de corriger tôt ce qui peut être corrigé.
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A monitoração de um projeto, e quanto maior mais requerida a monitoração, é fundamental a ferramenta de curva S é uma excelente ferramenta para periodicamente entender se o projeto precisa de atenção ou não. Além disso quanto maior o risco durante o projeto mais próximo a liderança deve estar do projeto, acompanhando de perto soluções e progressos.
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Implement the chosen solution, monitor its effectiveness, and make adjustments as needed based on feedback and outcomes. Be prepared to iterate and adapt the approach as new information emerges or unexpected challenges arise during implementation.
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When we work on any project with a Goal and timeframe . This is very much important to be on the top of the project and check progress regularly and from each angle. This gives better control over the project and this also help where is the bottle neck.
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In my experience, conquering complex problems requires quantifiable metrics. Imagine we're optimizing a marketing campaign. We set clear KPIs – say, a 15% increase in website conversions within a month. We then track daily website traffic and conversion rates. This allows us to see if we're on track, identify roadblocks early (e.g., a sudden traffic dip), and adjust strategies accordingly. By defining success with measurable data, we transform progress from a vague feeling to a clear, actionable path.
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Based on the analysis of alternatives, make an informed decision about the best course of action. Ensure that the team is involved in this process and obtain their support. Put the chosen solution into action. Assign clear tasks and responsibilities to each team member. Monitor progress and make adjustments as necessary.
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Monitoring progress or lack of it, is best tracked through effective KPIs. Hence while working towards a fix it is at most important to identify and define tracking KPIs.
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Communication is an important part in Agile Project Management A Kan Ban Board will help visibility of the progress. Execute the plan while closely monitoring progress and adjusting as needed. Regularly communicate with the team to ensure everyone is aligned and on track.
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Monitor progress via a Zoom or Teams meeting. Seeing your team face to face helps keep everyone engaged and body language can be seen.
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By defining clear metrics, the team can track their performance against predefined targets, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate achievements. Furthermore, fostering a culture of transparency and accountability encourages open communication and trust among team members. This enables individuals to feel empowered to raise concerns, suggest improvements, and take ownership of their contributions to the project's success. Also, leveraging PM tools and software can streamline communication, facilitate collaboration, and provide real-time visibility into project status and progress. Lastly, recognizing and celebrating milestones and achievements along the way reinforces team morale, motivation, and commitment to achieving shared goals.
Be prepared to adapt your strategy if necessary. Complex problems often require a flexible approach, as initial plans may not always pan out as expected. If a certain tactic isn't working, don't hesitate to pivot and try alternative solutions. Encourage your team to be agile and to communicate any challenges they face promptly so that you can collectively adjust the plan and keep moving forward.
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Adaptability is indispensable in addressing complex problems. It necessitates openness to adjusting strategies as circumstances evolve. This flexibility fosters innovation and ensures agile execution, maintaining momentum despite changes. Additionally, it fosters collaboration, resilience, and a culture of continuous improvement. Embracing adaptability empowers teams to navigate challenges effectively and achieve success amidst uncertainties.
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Problem-solving is an iterative process that requires constant evaluation and adaptation. Teams should regularly review their progress, assess the effectiveness of implemented strategies, and adjust course as needed. Monitoring key performance indicators and milestones enables teams to track their progress towards resolving complex problems. Flexibility and agility are essential traits for navigating uncertainties and responding to evolving circumstances.
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Stay Calms and Focus while team is implementing solutions, this helps in sharp observation and you embrace flexibility and be prepared to pivot if initial solutions prove ineffective or new challenges arise. Adaptability is key to navigating complex problems successfully.
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If things are not progressing well make the needed changes. Don’t panic and look for the “wins” along the way! Keep expressing the team aspect. We are better together because we each bring gifts to the table.
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My humble experience in project management is application of Sun Tzu consideration before engaging a warfare: (1) The Moral Cause; (2) Nature; (3) Situation; (4) Leadership; (5) Discipline. So, in project management: 1) All persons in charge understand the mission, the requirement, milestones & have full preparation. 2) There will be un-controllable things happen, manageable or un-manageable, plan ahead what to do. 3) Implementation process can face situations that known things having change of complexity, requirement… Comprehensive prediction should be done, reviewed prior & during implementation in order to have adequate support. 4) Quality of personnel. 5) All milestones must be respected & achieved through monitoring process.
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After implementing the solution, assess the outcomes achieved. Verify if the problem has been resolved and if the solution has had the desired impact. Make additional adjustments if needed. Use the situation as a learning opportunity and to act more quickly on future problems.. Identify lessons learned and apply that knowledge to future projects. Encourage open communication within the team to share insights and improve problem-solving capabilities.
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Adapt quickly but don’t forget to engage at the right level to find the solution. If an unforeseen problem comes up, it may be attributed to leaving out key players earlier in the process. The ones with the know-how whose expertise can go untapped and whose buy-in is necessary for success.
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Uma frase do universo ágil, sintetiza isto: planejo o que sei, adapto o que não sei. Complexidade e mudanças são ingredientes quase sempre presentes em um projeto, é importante o time ter em mente que isso pode acontecer. Adaptar passa pelos pilares de transparência, olhamos a situação e depois o pilar da inspeção, que nos projeto cenários, circunstâncias e então adaptamos. Quais as opções que temos em mãos? O que priorizaremos? Como realizaremos as tarefas? Quais serão os entregaveis possíveis? Quem envolveremos? É uma readaptação ao novo, pq não adianta chorar o leite derramado temos de seguir em frente. Avante!
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When facing a complex project problem, it's vital to be ready to adapt quickly. This involves assessing the issue, gathering input, brainstorming solutions collaboratively, testing and adjusting strategies, staying flexible, communicating openly with the team, and learning from the experience for future projects.
Throughout the process, it's essential to maintain team morale. Recognize individual and group efforts, celebrate small victories, and provide support during setbacks. A positive attitude can be contagious and can greatly contribute to your team's resilience and determination to overcome the complex problem at hand. Your encouragement will help sustain motivation and drive your team towards a successful resolution.
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Encouraging team is one of the key factor for any project. Managment can work easily with highly motivated team.they will give the 100% to complete the project
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Piyush Kumar
Country Manager, India (Visionary, Promising, Passionate, Agile & Sustainable Leader)
(edited)This is being said that motivated and encouraged team gives more output than the team which is under pressure. So, keeping your team motivated, gives you better results.
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In my experience, keeping a team motivated during complex problems requires a humble, hungry, and energizing approach. Here's how I do it: Acknowledge the challenge: Let your team know you see the complexity and appreciate their hard work. A simple "This is tough, but I know we can solve it together" goes a long way. Celebrate small wins: Focus on progress, not just the finish line. Recognize milestones and breakthroughs, no matter how small. This reinforces that their efforts are making a difference. Foster collaboration: Encourage open communication and brainstorming sessions. When everyone feels heard and valued, it ignites collective problem-solving and a shared sense of purpose.
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When confronted with a complex problem during a project, it's crucial to first grasp its intricacies and gather relevant information. Next, brainstorm potential solutions as a team, evaluate each option carefully, and select the most promising one. Once chosen, implement the solution efficiently, monitoring progress closely and making adjustments as necessary. Finally, reflect on the process afterward, identifying lessons learned to improve future project handling. This systematic approach ensures a thorough understanding and effective resolution of complex issues while promoting continuous learning and improvement within the team.
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It is essential to create a positive working environment and encourage a team in order to achieve success. It can be incredibly motivating and inspiring to celebrate small victories, leading to greater productivity and collaboration in the long run. Overall, maintaining a supportive and positive atmosphere within the team can lead to increased engagement, satisfaction, and ultimately, success in achieving collective. Each person has unique strengths and weaknesses, and it's important to recognize and appreciate their individual abilities.
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It is important to let your team know that it’s doable. Creating a false sense of urgency or complexity will only deter your team performance. Making your team feel excited about the issue and throwing it as a challenge is also one way to encourage your team, also allowing room for failure can help boost team productivity and instills a sense of safety.
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- Motivation is the only key to success. - A highly motivated work environment can help achieve great results - Getting stuck is not a problem. Motivation to solve the problem is more important.
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There will always be challenges in every project. As a manager and leader it’s important to instil confidence in the team that they can overcome the obstacles. My personal style is to also infect some fun and humour when the situation looks particularly challenging.
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It is essential to have a motivated team of professionals with self-confidence and courage to solve any problem. Encourage out-of-the-box thinking and brainstorming sessions to generate innovative solutions. Sometimes, unconventional approaches can lead to breakthroughs. By involving the team, leveraging available resources, and following a systematic problem-solving process, we can increase the chances of successfully overcoming complex challenges during the project.
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As a certified Strengths Manager, I will leverage the unique strengths of each team member to comprehensively assess the complexity of the issue, collaboratively devise solutions, and ensure clear understanding among the team. This proactive approach will equip the team with the necessary skills and clarity to effectively handle similar challenges in the future.
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Some times we get so deeply involved in resolving the problem we forget to step aside and assess the situation from outside the circle of influence. I then discuss the problem with some one who is not associated with the project directly, but, has several years of experience in executing similar projects. Most of the time I have had a very useful insight to the problem from a different perspective. It would be prudent to take advantage of an another experienced person whose views are not influenced or biased by others members of the project team.
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Eu adicionaria ter muita resiliência e flexibilidade para pensar com criatividade na solução. Outro ponto importante é não se apegar às ideias pois a solução pode ser completamente diferente do que a rota inicialmente traçada. Outra alternativa importante é fazer um momento de descompressão do time como leva-los para um almoço; uma sessão de cinema ou qualquer outra atividade fora da rotina do projeto para gerar engajamento e confiança entre o time.
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Consider the benefits of stepping away from group problem solving all together. Sometimes it can lead to group thinking and the opportunity for creative thinking is diminished. If there’s space to do so, allow some time for private reflection and then regroup to hear thoughts and decide which ideas to prioritise.
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Firstly, trust the fact that you have a competent team and allow them the space to figure things out. Secondly, shield them from corporate politics and unnecessary escalations that become a hindrance. Thirdly, leverage your good offices and connections to get access to relevant expertise from internal and external ecosystems that your team needs. Finally, stay calm and collected through the process - the last thing the team needs is a leader that induces additional pressure!
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Sometimes, you might have too much on your plate. It's natural to feel overwhelmed by the whirlwind of tasks. Seeking help is not a sign of weakness—it's a smart move toward progress. Tapping into external resources becomes essential when faced with complex challenges beyond our expertise. Occasionally, the solution lies beyond our immediate reach, nestled in the wisdom of specialists or the arsenal of advanced tools. Embracing this collaborative spirit enriches our problem-solving journey and propels us towards innovative solutions and unprecedented success.
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Haripriya Ponugupati
Manager Quality Operations & Performance Excellence @ Johnson & Johnson MedTech
Reach out the team understand the problem, sit together and find out the best solution from the discussion and experience, knowledge. Assign the task on the spot with the timelines, made them understand priority of the project. Make them accountable, must be part of their Goals. Team should work towards common goal.
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As a servant leader, approach complex problems with a collaborative & inclusive mindset. Here are some steps you can take: 1. Encourage open communication: Create a safe space for team members to share their ideas, concerns, & perspectives on the complex problem. 2. Foster teamwork: Encourage collaboration among team members by promoting a sense of unity and shared responsibility. 3. Empower team members: Delegate tasks based on individual strengths & skills, & trust your team members to take ownership of finding solutions to the complex problem. 4. Provide support & celebrate progress: Offer guidance, resources, & encouragement to your team members as they work together to address the complex problem. Celebrate small wins!
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When none of the above works, there are more ways such as: (1) Search: Start searching online to find solutions for similar issues/problems (2) Use AI Tools: By using AI tools like ChatGPT, and Bard, you can easily generate more ideas that none in the team could think of probably (3) Consultancies: For high-impact/crucial projects, expert consultancies can be a way out to achieve the expected outcome most efficiently as well as to meet the project deadline.
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Au delà de tout ce qui a été dit . Il faut également avoir une attention particulière sur le bien être de votre équipe . On ne gère pas des machines à qui on dicte tout . On gère des humains qui ont des sentiments . Des petits moments divertissants avec votre équipe (des sorties, des petits cadeaux , des moments où vous pouvez parler de tout sauf du travail, une assistance lors des moments difficiles ..) ce sont des choses qui marquent et renforcent la cohésion d’équipe et la motivation .
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