Problem Solvers have a laser-like ability to cut to the heart of a problem and reveal a previously unseen path forward.
Like an urgent-care doctor doing an intake, they’ll ask just enough questions to assess what’s going wrong and why. And then—bam—it all falls into place: They can see both the illness and the cure all at once. Problem Solvers can be of great help to a team that has hit a dead end and feels stuck.
If this is your superpower:
When someone approaches you with a problem, confirm that he or she is ready to start solving it. Some people simply want to vent, as opposed to confront an issue. When that’s the situation, nothing you suggest will stick.
Teams can become overly dependent on you to fix things. If this is becoming the case, try shifting into more of a teacher mode. Ask questions that help the team come to their own insights and conclusions.
If you’re working with them:
Problem Solvers think on their feet and process information rapidly, which may put them a few steps ahead of you. If you’re having a hard time keeping up, ask them to pause and walk you through their thought process.
Problem Solvers know and accept the fact that no solution is perfect. If you’re someone who excels at detecting gaps, you’ll never be satisfied with anything they suggest. Try to agree in advance on what “good enough” is.