Leadership, Creativity, Strategic Planning And Problem Solving
The foundations of creative leadership start with taking personal responsibility for our actions as part of a group; in feeling confidant enough to suggest and accept revisions in team goals and performance. To successfully learn new styles of creative thinking and applied problem-solving, we must take personal leadership in using them, and in the interaction with our fellow workers and clients.
Peter Drucker said,” Management is doing things right; Leadership is doing the right things.” Handling problems, challenges and mistakes, effectively, depends on being able to cut to root causes, and to develop real actionable solutions.
I challenge you to discover new approaches to the problems you encounter; to see them as opportunities to grow and change the way you live, lead, or do business. A wise man told me; “My ability to earn would be directly dependent on my ability to solve problems.” In business, we are essentially paid for our ability to solve our client’s problems by the provision of innovative, productive services or products.
Creativity tools and tips can be applied in at least two directions:
- Problem solving
- Strategic planning
“Effectiveness – often survival – does not depend solely on how much effort we expend, but on whether or not the effort we invest is in the right direction.”
It has been my experience that creativity tools help in the process of defining the direction, and outlining the process needed to successfully reach the goals you set, or in solving perplexing problems you encounter enroute.
Some of the leadership objectives would be:
- More accurate information – increased productivity by better communication
- Effective coordination of activities – how do I fit in the big picture
- Improving the flow of ideas – both internally (up and down) and externally
- Facilitating the decision making process – being an agent of change
- Training – cross training, uniform training, and to provide an interactive forum
- Building morale – encouraging teamwork and mutual support
Occasionally, we need to pause, gain a higher perspective to make sure we are still heading in the right direction. Our efficiency can be misdirected, if we are not going where we want in pursuit of our goals. Find out, Focus, Follow Through!
One of the biggest lessons about problem solving is “there is always a solution – often, a multitude of solutions”. If your problem is industry specific, talk to others in your industry and brainstorm answers, or bring it to your next Chamber of Commerce meeting.
The other lesson learned is “I’m not the only one with ‘a’ problem.” Sharing a problem often precedes solving it. Someone not directly involved ‘in’ my problem may see a solution or thread that unravels it, because of the difference in his or her perspective or experience. And because they are not emotionally involved! Their insight often helps me find and implement a solution.
Effective management is built on creating an innovative and winning team.
