Let's solve that problem together now
Featured in the Essential Interpersonal Skills for Outstanding Managers training manual
By Eddie Davies
Category: Communication Skills
Credit price: 4 download credits (Single user)
The nature of many jobs involves the holder in helping to resolve other people’s problems on a daily basis. The joint problem-solving approach involves actively listening, using two-way communication to explore the issues, and results in a decision to which both parties can give a 100 per cent backing. Experience and research has shown it is the most effective approach for gaining long-term growth, co-operation and commitment. The approach is based on the premise that, given the right conditions, people are prepared to face up to problems, discuss them and seek to resolve them for themselves. Therefore the aim of the approach is to encourage the problem holders to take responsibility for and ownership of their own actions and development.
You open the training activity by asking the participants to consider how often in a typical day other people come to them with problems to sort out. Most will confirm it is a regular part of their day-to-day activity. There are a number of different approaches that they can take when asked for advice on how to solve a problem. The participants identify the most effective influencing strategies for gaining commitment as well as compliance with a solution. You then lead a discussion on the aims of various problem–solving approaches, which concludes by recognising that a joint problem-solving discussion will usually be the most effective for achieving those aims. The participants then look at the attitudes, skills and a suggested structure they can use to ensure that they make best use of the joint problem-solving approach. Next, the participants engage in an exercise designed to develop their joint problem-solving approach by practising the skills involved in an interview setting. Finally, the participants review the practical exercise, note down some key learning points from the training activity and identify action they could take to improve their problem-solving skills in their work place.
Who is it for: This training resource is intended for use by trainers to introduce participants to the joint problem-solving approach to interpersonal communication.
- Themes:
- Assertiveness,
- Coaching,
- Communication,
- Counselling skills,
- Customer care,
- Influencing skills,
- Interpersonal skills,
- Interviewing skills,
- Introduction to effective management,
- Life and career planning,
- Managing meetings,
- Negotiating skills,
- Performance management,
- Project management,
- Sales training,
- Self-assessment,
- Self-development,
- Stress management,
- Supervisory skills,
- Team-building skills,
- Team development,
- Time management,
- Trainer development,
- Women into management,
| Resource Type: | Activity |
| Min Group Size: | 4 |
| Max Group Size: | 12 |
| Typical Duration: | 02:55:00 |
| No of Pages: | 33 |
Resources: View standard resources for Fenman training activities
Purpose: This training resource is intended for use by trainers as a stand-alone training activity for anyone involved in discussions that have a problem-solving focus, it is also applicable as part of a management or supervisory skills development programme where there is a need to develop interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills. This training activity encompasses the core skills of questioning, body language and active listening, and makes an excellent consolidation activity for participants who have already completed the training activities, ‘Ask a silly question’, ‘It’s not what you say, it’s the way that you say it’, ‘Ma, he’s making eyes at me’, and ‘ Listen. Do you want to know a secret?’
Download the training activity, Let's solve that problem together now as featured in the Fenman training manual; Essential Interpersonal Skills for Outstanding Managers