Suggestions to Solutions: Develop Your Team

Suggestions to Solutions

When an employee comes to you with a problem, it’s tempting to jump in with a quick solution or take ownership of the issue yourself. But what if there’s a better way? Encouraging employees to think critically and offer solutions empowers them and develops a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Here’s how you can make the most of employee suggestions and turn them into valuable opportunities for growth.

Ask for Solutions

Instead of immediately providing an answer when an employee presents a problem, ask them for their ideas on a possible solution. This approach does more than just shift the responsibility; it encourages the employee to take ownership and develop problem-solving skills.

Consider a situation where an employee notices a bottleneck in a production process. Instead of stepping in to fix it yourself, ask them how they would address the issue. Allow them to do the groundwork—researching the problem, gathering data, and proposing a solution. Even if their suggestion isn’t implemented, they gain a deeper understanding of the business, and you reinforce their value as a contributor.

Setting Expectations

When asking for solutions, be clear from the outset that you’re only considering their ideas, not necessarily committing to implementing them. This transparency prevents misunderstandings and manages expectations, ensuring that employees remain motivated even if their proposals aren’t adopted.

If the issue they bring up seems insignificant or isn’t a problem in your eyes, take the time to explain your perspective. Encourage them to collect data to back up their concerns, as this not only helps quantify the issue but also sharpens their analytical skills.

Asking Questions

To further engage your team, take a proactive approach by asking insightful questions as you walk around the workplace. This shows that you value their opinions and are open to hearing their thoughts. Some questions you might ask include:

• What are the hassles associated with this job?

• What took too long? How can it be improved?

• Where can we eliminate waste?

• What job involved too many people or too many steps?

• What would the customer be unhappy about?

• What was misunderstood today?

• What was just plain silly on our part?

Root Causes

Follow up with probing questions. One effective method is the “5 Whys” technique—ask “why” or “how” five times in a row to drill down to the root cause of an issue. If an idea shows promise, consider delegating a project with a clear scope, timeline, and parameters. This allows employees to explore solutions further, enhancing their problem-solving abilities.

Asking questions and encouraging solutions is a powerful tool. It gets employees thinking about the business from a broader perspective, fostering a sense of ownership and engagement. Consider running a contest with small prizes to make it fun. Ask 4 or 5 questions about some costs in your department or another important measure. For example, “What is the average cost to reroute a box shipped to the wrong location?”

It's an Experiment

It’s important to recognize that not every suggestion will be feasible or successful. Employees might feel discouraged if their ideas aren’t implemented. To prevent this, provide constructive feedback and acknowledge their efforts. Explain why a particular solution might not work and encourage them to keep thinking creatively. This approach reinforces a growth mindset and shows that every suggestion, successful or not, is valued.

Allowing employees to think critically and contribute solutions is a win-win. It leads to more innovative problem-solving, increased efficiency, and a more engaged workforce. By asking the right questions, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for employees to explore their ideas, you can cultivate a culture where everyone feels invested in the success of the business.

Why not start today?

Take a moment to reflect on how you handle employee suggestions in your workplace. Could you be doing more to empower your team? The next time someone comes to you with a problem, resist the urge to jump in with a solution. Instead, ask them what they think—and watch how it transforms

Contact us at BizCoachTN for help in transforming your life and business.