Own it, solve it, promote it

Some of us are doers, some of us are problem solvers, some of us would rather just sit on the side-lines and watch things unfold and then complain when something hasn’t been done to our liking! We all have different traits and personalities, but wouldn’t it be great if we all took accountability for the challenges we face.

‘Customers’, both internal, (such as colleagues and stakeholders) and external, (business partners, retailers) are the foundation of any business. Taking accountability for a situation in front of you is one of the most significant impacts you can make on our customer’s experience. Ignoring issues, stating ‘That’s not my department’ or pointing fingers elsewhere, does not put you in a good light. We should all take responsibility for fixing problems that are within our organisations, we are, one team after all.

We should approach problems with a positive mindset - Own the problem. Solve the problem. Promote the fix…

• Own the problem: Taking personal responsibility for making things happen and having a can do attitude, not only has a positive result on those around you, but also on you as well. Having positive intent, makes you more positive, and in turn will naturally aid in a solution led mentality.
• Solve the problem: You don’t have to solve it on your own. Your positivity would have rubbed off on those around you, and they will want to support you in fixing it. Brainstorm with your colleagues a range of possible solutions that addresses the issue. Show initiative, think ‘outside the box’ and leverage senior stakeholders to remove any barriers needed to make it happen.
• Promote the fix: Once you have solved it, and implemented the fix, be sure to tell others the steps you and the team took to rectify the problem. This isn’t about gloating, rather sharing your experiences with others, so they too can learn from your experiences. It does also demonstrate to your ‘customers’ that you are dependable and trustworthy.

So, be positive, take things head on, look for and share the solution. You undoubtably will be rewarded and recognised for your can do attitude. You will also feel more positive about yourself as you will see the tangible outputs and results making an impact in your business. You will also learn many new skills and gain new experiences along the way, and hey, it might just be fun as well!

Keen to understand more about how to have a positive mindset? Get in touch at help@pureblueocean.com