Problem Solving in 60 Minutes
When families malfunction they may not know how to do target correction. Do not play the blame game! Use win-win techniques.
Agree on some ground rules for your quarrels.
Quality Progress (Redmond, 2007, 80) moves people closer to a solution in 60 minutes with four basic tools. Redmond’s suggestions are similar to those made by Richard Feder and John Mitchell nineteen years earlier in a ‘4-day task force’ (1988, August).
Rule 1 - Agree on time management
Both sources argue for the restriction of time as a key to efficiency. While some problems may require more urgency, sixty minutes is an arbitrary time in which Redmond demonstrates problem solving.
Please do not vent for hours without allowing some kind of decision to be made. Repeating your beef over and over just makes your family more “hard of hearing” each time you speak.
It is hard to respect someone who chooses not to be rational. Vent to an older friend who can talk with you like your grandmother might. They’ve been down that road and have seen what works or does not work.
The following are simple, but not easy ground rules for problem solving.
Rule 2 - Agree and define the problem
Redmond and Feder and Mitchell all advise businesses to start with agreement on and definition of the problem. That idea works for families also.
Both sources presuppose data collection.
Rule 3 - What are the facts?
What are the trends or habits which need to be corrected or changed in order to solve the problem?
Rule 4 - Brainstorm solutions
Redmond suggests working out a consensus on the most prevalent root causes of the problem with brainstorming of potential solutions. Felder and Mitchell have the group focus on creating a list of solutions, brainstorming and gaining insights into attitudes enough to form a “hunch list”.
Both methods then choose the best ideas, probing participants “for relevance, importance and uniqueness.”(Feder & Mitchell, 1988, 21). Redmond presents an effort/benefit matrix.
Brainstorming rules are few:
- First, respect each person’s opinion, no matter how much you disagree or how crazy it sounds.
- Secondly, find agreement on rules for eliminating those ideas which are unrealistic or outside your family values.
On volatile family hot buttons, I suggest you do this process with a third person. Perhaps a pastor, experienced friend or counselor.
Rule 5 - Decide and Act on the solution(s)
Work is assigned to specific individuals and deadlines set. Follow up makes sure tasks get done. If an intervention is called for, do it.
These methods have been working for business teams for decades. Any team will benefit from choosing this method before problems arise, then using it after conflict arises. You do want family teamwork, don’t you? Slavery and selfishness do not work in the long run.
References
Redmond, M. (2007, February). 60 Minutes to a Solution. Quality Progress, 40(2), 80.
