Unsolved Problems: We Can't Do it Alone

It can be a terrifying thing for employees in an organization - the unsolved problems that lie on the desk. One person may not be able to tackle them, yet the person with the problem may not want to admit that they can't solve them. Many times it's out of the fear of letting others know that they have been unsuccessful. Organizations need to encourage collaboration between employees. The workplace is full of a vast array of diverse experiences and skills. Utilizing all of these skills to solve problems will make any organization stronger.

The first step every organization should take is let their employees know that it's ok to be stumped. Employees need to know the resources are available for help. When employees feel empowered to ask for help without the fear of looking dumb or feeling incompetent, they can come forward and benefit from the collaboration of their co-workers.

Set monthly or even weekly meetings, where employees can share their problems and challenges. The brainstorming that occurs in meetings like this is valuable for everyone. An effect way to start is to have the highest ranking leader in the meeting present a problem that they are having. By accepting the help of her team, the leader will show that it's ok to request assistance and that everyone is not alone. When it comes to present their problems, the employee will feel much more relaxed.

Learn from these problems. Sometimes a pattern can be garnered from looking at a set of problems. Maybe the next great paradigm shift is staring your organization in the face. A group of problems can signal a need for an organization-wide strategy change or innovation. Sometimes these challenges can set the change for a new, successful direction that had never been considered before.

Take advantage of your organization's diverse and experienced workforce by allowing collaboration to solve problems. Working together in a free and open environment will allow everyone's skills to be utilized. The fear of the unsolved problem will dissipate and may even set your organization down the road into a new, highly profitable paradigm shift.