This could be a very short article, because the biggest barrier to collaborative problem solving is found by looking at the word problem backwards: melborp.
Do you see it? The biggest barrier is me.
Or you.
Or whoever makes the problem about them, their agenda or their solution.
Which means that we, too often, approach too many problems . . . backwards. We start with ourselves, not (really) with the problem, which is the gap between what exists and what is needed.
This challenge exists in all problem solving even when it is an individual situation. The challenge is heightened when dealing with a group of people. Now we may have competing agendas, competing perspectives and competing egos.
No wonder group problem solving is so messy.
While it might seem this article is complete, that I’ve already answered the question posed in the title, it isn’t that easy. It is one thing to identify a barrier; it is an entirely different thing to remove that barrier.
So let’s do a little problem solving on collaborative problem solving.
Keep the focus solely on the problem. Remember that a problem is the gap between what exists and what is desired. Once this gap is identified and agreed on, keep people focused on it. One of the problems with group problem solving is people don’t always agree with what the problem is — getting this agreement is a key start, and with that agreement, conversation can be more easily refocused on the problem itself.
Get agreement on why the problem matters. Knowing and agreeing on the problem is valuable, and having a clear vision for how things will be better when it is solved is even more powerful. Help people see the benefits in solving the problem. There are likely situations you can identify with, where even if people say they agree there is a problem, they prefer the status quo. Get people to understand and rally around the why of and benefits to the solution.
Create dialogue about concerns and perspectives. One of the reasons personal agendas become a problem and “mess up” both the effectiveness and efficiency of group problem solving is those agendas aren’t discussed. Create a safe environment to discuss concerns and desired outcomes. Give people space to voice their perspectives. One of the great values of having people collaborate to solve a problem is that they have different perspectives. Let those perspectives be discussed, shared and used and you will advance to better solutions more quickly.
Get everyone on the side of the solution. While this is a summary of the previous three points is it something more. In the end, collaborative problem solving needs to be collective problem solving. Rather than posturing, hedging bets or holding out for individual positions, help and encourage people to fight for the best solution, not what best meets their needs.
Collaborating on anything, including problem solving, is complex. The challenges won’t be completely erased by the four ideas I’ve just shared. However, if you will apply these ideas in a disciplined way for yourself and with others, you will find better solutions in less time, because you will have put the focus where it belongs, on the problem and the best possible solution.
photo credit r000pert
Kevin
Thanks for another great blog post.
Great believer that by collaborating we can achieve much more.
Keep up the great work.
Duncan Brodie
Goals and Achievements
I believe that the environment may be a larger problem to collaborative problem solving than any individual. If the environment creates a mentality of “fire fighting” than it is in the best interest of the individual to first allow the fire to start and then to successfully battle the flames. It is in the best interest of all members of an organization to foster a collaborative environment first and then ask for collaboration.
The role of environment and culture are huge as you identified, for sure. Thanks fr your thoughtful comments.
Kevin 🙂
Great piece, Kevin! In order to tackle any problem, efforts have to be aligned on the common goal. As this video also points out, companies that learn to align efforts tend to succeed – http://www.upyourservice.com/video-theater/get-better-results-through-alignment-of-effort-not-through-greater-effort
Hi Kevin: Found this post again through your recent tweet. Vitally important topic and some good thoughts on it. However, I have long thought that the biggest barrier to collaborative problem solving is each participant’s need to be right – this is the core problem that Marshall Goldsmith highlights in his book “What Got You Here Won’t Get You There.” I was coaching an executive a few years ago, encouraging him to be more facilitative by asking more questions along the lines of “What do you think?” He could see the point but felt it wouldn’t feel like he was making a “real contribution” – proving that we like to score goals by making brilliant points. I’ve written about this issue in a number of my own articles, including “A Hero at Work”: http://www.lead2xl.com/a-hero-at-work.html
Mitch – Ah, the need to be right is a huge barrier for many, sometimes, me included. thanks for this great insight!
Kevin 🙂
Yes, I have the same inclination! But I’m not sure that this problem is highlighted as much as it needs to be. Think of politicians campaigning to be elected. They are staking their whole future on their claims to have better answers/solutions than their competitors – not much chance of collaboration in that context. Executives are the same. Winning the battle to run things depends on being seen as knowing what you’re doing. Hence why employees are so disengaged, I think, because they are sitting on the sidelines while management fights over who is right about which strategies to pursue. Too much is at stake for them individually to ask others what they think. Until collaboration is rewarded as much or more than individual heroism, not much will change I fear.
Hi Kevin. Let me just say that this post shows that you’ve at least given problem solving some real thought. That’s more than most people who would prefer to jump in without surveying the scene first. Whenever I think I have a solution to a problem, I always stop myself and push my thoughts back to respect first and foremost. Sometimes people aren’t ready for the soultions we present. We have to understand the bigger picture before we can offer constructive support.
P.S. I’m publishing a post about this on my blog tomorrow about this very topic. It basically says the same thing I think you’re going for here. I, for one, can appreciate your considerate attitude.