Women Influencing Business: Using Your Problem Solving Skills

Men look at problems and see one thing. That one thing which needs correction, and they seek to fix it. Women look at the same problem and see multiple things that need fixing. Men use their left brain searching for the answer, while women use their right brain searching for several answers.

Men and women evaluate problems differently. What else is new?

There’s the desire to solve the problem, then there’s the desire to uncover every reason or hint at what wouldn’t solve the problem.

Women look at a problem from every angle, including curves, corners and straight lines, speculating what will possibly work, and who will be affected.

In 2001, Harvard researchers found that certain parts of the brain were differently sized in males and females. The study found that parts of the frontal lobe, responsible for problem-solving and decision-making, and the limbic cortex responsible for regulating emotions, were larger in women.

It’s no wonder that a woman’s system of problem-solving takes a longer time and involves making everything personal and leading with her emotions in a quest to see how she would feel about each possible solution.

This makes perfect sense! Women with strong inner influence DNA rise to the occasion of finding solutions that work.

Women approach problem-solving with a brain that places emphasis on specific pieces of the problem-solving process. For instance, how much authority do you have? Are you responsible for the ultimate outcome? Will you have influence in directing people and their actions? How will you survive any backlash?

Keep in mind that your problem-solving capabilities are being used daily, if not hourly. Everything that comes into your frame of reference is a contributor, the result of a problem or solution. So women pay attention, even when they aren’t consciously doing so.

There are 5 steps smart women use to solve a problem – the first AND only time:

1. Define the problem that’s not the squeaky wheel. Every problem you’ve ever been confronted with always has a corresponding deeper issue that is the cause of the problem. This is where you should focus. Yes, take care of the "presenting problem," but under no circumstances ignore the deeper issue.
 
The deeper issue is where you will find the source of several problems. When you get in the habit of going there, you will find you have fewer problems on the surface. This is the step where many people give up. Perseverance is not their strong suit. Not so for women. As we have all heard over and over again, "Can you just forget about it?" No we can’t, and thank goodness we can’t because we never give up when there’s a cause to be found.
 
2. Get everyone involved. One of the major ways to gain commitment from anyone is to get them involved in the process. Find out who the major stakeholders are. Who’s invested in the solution? What role do they play in the creation of the problem and/or the deeper issue?
 
Make the connection between what they stand to lose or gain, and how that will come to pass depending on their willingness to cooperate in reaching a solution. Commitment through involvement is when you can influence people’s thinking and behavior. Once you influence people’s thinking, you can educate them on how to ward of future problems.
 
3. Look everywhere for answers. Women are widespread in how they gather information, how they study it, make meaning from it, and how they will apply it. This approach will assist you not only in finding an answer but also the right answer. The more you do this, the better and quicker it works for you.
 
Do not discount anything at this step in the problem-solving process. Brainstorm, mind map, create flow charts, ask questions, ask TOUGH questions – then repeat. Use your critical and creative thinking skills. Reflect on and assess any assumptions underlying your own and other's ideas. Develop ideas that are unique, useful, and worthy of development. It’s draining to get to the end of the process only to say, "Gee, why didn’t I look there?"
 
4. Make a Top Ten List. Choose your best ten solutions, rank them, then try them on for size BEFORE you implement them. This is where your natural talent lies. Let your mind race ahead figuring, understanding, and scoping out what will result from each of your top ten solutions. Something is guaranteed to stand out either as a huge bust or a great win. You just saved yourself valuable time and resources.
 
Skipping this step is a crucial error in the problem-solving process. This is when most people think the solution (note only one solution) they zeroed in on is "the" answer. Hello? Not so. And women get this. In fact, we’ve been criticized for years for making this step a priority in the process. Your ability to analyze, dissect, and play out all possible scenarios is what makes you valuable to anyone and everyone. Perfect this skill!
 
5. Decide, implement and evaluate. Quickly! Don’t fall prey to self-doubt, chronic complaining or consensus. Yes, I said consensus. Remember, you, and only you, have the responsibility for making the decision that will solve the problem.
 
You can do this quickly ONLY if you’ve done your work in step 4. You don’t want to be caught relying on hindsight. This step requires you to have courage. Your courage will be the deciding factor on whether or not you are ready for taking on problem-solving actions.

Not evaluating your solution is a sign of getting prepared for the next problem. This is another place women shine. We use our memories of past evaluations and problem-solving actions to determine what will work again or not.

The next time you are confronted with a problem, use your innate abilities to solve it. Trust in your confidence, your commitment and your courage to make it a one time solution.

[This is only one of the many powerful articles in this week's Influence It! Real Power for Women free ezine. To enjoy the full issue, jam packed with insightful information on strategies to enhance your personal and professional life to achieve ultimate success, you must be a subscriber. Sign up for your own free subscription NOW by clicking here!]