How can I encourage my team members to use their intuition when trying to solve problems? We have many situations where issues are found and logically they don’t make sense; however, my team isn’t “using their head” to try to come up with solutions. I have been trying to ask more questions of them and try to not tell them “exactly” how to do a certain task so they can begin to think of solutions on their own, but I just feel that my team works in a box and doesn’t want to think outside of that box… Do you have any suggestions?
The Team Doc Says…
Your situation can be frustrating, particularly if the team is in the habit of always seeing a problem as a nail when the only tool they have is a hammer.
You’re going to have to work with them to turn the team problem solving process into an effective process for your group.
You can begin by having a meeting each week for the purpose of solving one problem. Structure your meeting so that each person has input and once a solution has been found, walk through what it took to get there. Before the meeting ends, ask each team member how they could apply the process to an issue they are facing in the work place.
Once you make deeper critical thinking and team problem solving a regular part of their work, it will ultimately become habit for them.
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