“Let’s come together as a team and figure out how to solve problems …”

As great and fulfilling as that statement sounds ( at least on paper) , outside of tv shows and cartoons, this is not a reality that most educators will experience. Most educators are LUCKY to have a helper or *teacher buddy* that will assist them in moments of need ( GREAT need…and maybe that is even few and far in between). That lack of help…or the idea that help will not come in times of need…is typically the forefather to why many teachers and instructors are less (or not open) to being helpful.

“What’s in it for me?”/”How will this benefit me?” are statements that I’ve not only heard, but have personally thought in my own head; when it came down to admin’s/staff seeking * adoption, adaption or implementation help*. Working together with a team, especially a team of teachers, has been thought more as a punishment then a way to get to a goal.

Per the Eric Sheninger interview on the Educators Lead podcast with Jay Willis ( Willis, J (host) 2016 March 28. Leadership Is About Taking Action, Not Power, Position, Or Titles. Educators Lead. http://www.educatorslead.com/ericsheninger/) I learned that creating a harmony within a team and working together ( maybe even successfully) starts with checking two major main component…(a)your attitude and (b)your ideas. So, I will showcase how solving these *two elements* can lead to effective problem solving ( *note* = there may be OTHER components that can be issues, but we’re only focusing on only these two within problem solving)

Your Attitude

What is your first sentiment when you are given a task? (A) “Yes, something that I’m trusted with that I can do by myself or with a team“. (B) “Huhhh, why they always… “. Sometimes, what we feel within, is the hinderance in problem solving. We may be given something that we initially don’t want to do ( or know how to do) but by applying a better attitude, the task/goal/problem may be accomplished…to our OWN amazement. It’s amazing what a little attitude adjustment can do.

Your Ideas

“Everyone can think, but not everyone thinks sensibly ” ~ Walter ‘dad‘ Brandon

Have you ever had an idea about how to do something, but the idea was not one that would actually help the progress ( i.e. like putting butter the bread BEFORE putting it in the toaster…DON’T DO THAT) and could cause a catastrophe. That may be the way that many of us unknowingly think. We may think that we have things all figured out and understood, but really don’t have a clue. Also, being that human’s typical have issues with egos…we may not ask or seek confirmation in our own ideas and thoughts ( especially if we think that others are not thinking in the same manner or methods that we are).

When it comes to problem solving, we must first THINK ABOUT THE PROBLEM ( or, why is that a problem)…but some people don’t and skip to trying to solve the problem. There idea about solving the problem, may now become the NEW PROBLEM. The easiest way to solve this ( i.e. help fix this problem) is to (a) chart down each and every single idea about the problem (b) chart what the problem is (c) write various solutions that you have about remedying the problem (preferably in immediately/slowly/temporarily/permanently categories) (d) present the problem and solution ideas to your team or others (that you can trust) and (e) listen to their solutions, advice and choices.

In Conclusion

While problem solving may be a “DRAG”, and not something that is enjoyable to do, these steps listed ( and many others ) could be the ‘saving grace‘ to making problem solving less of a burden. If we focus on improving ourselves, our emotions, our inner reactions and what we think…we may start to see that problems are less ( or are handled more smoothly). The first problem that must always be solved…is our own.

references

Willis, J (host) 2016 March 28. Leadership Is About Taking Action, Not Power, Position, Or Titles. Educators Lead. http://www.educatorslead.com/ericsheninger/

Brandon W.C. ( personal chat over the phone with Dad), 2022 July 3