demonstrate problem solving and decision making skills

26 Expert-Backed Problem Solving Examples – Interview Answers

Published: February 13, 2023

Interview Questions and Answers

Actionable advice from real experts:

Biron Clark

Former Recruiter

Contributor

Dr. Kyle Elliott

Career Coach

Hayley Jukes

Editor-in-Chief

Biron Clark , Former Recruiter

Kyle Elliott , Career Coach

Hayley Jukes , Editor

As a recruiter , I know employers like to hire people who can solve problems and work well under pressure.

 A job rarely goes 100% according to plan, so hiring managers are more likely to hire you if you seem like you can handle unexpected challenges while staying calm and logical.

But how do they measure this?

Hiring managers will ask you interview questions about your problem-solving skills, and they might also look for examples of problem-solving on your resume and cover letter. 

In this article, I’m going to share a list of problem-solving examples and sample interview answers to questions like, “Give an example of a time you used logic to solve a problem?” and “Describe a time when you had to solve a problem without managerial input. How did you handle it, and what was the result?”

• Problem-solving involves identifying, prioritizing, analyzing, and solving problems using a variety of skills like critical thinking, creativity, decision making, and communication.
• Describe the Situation, Task, Action, and Result ( STAR method ) when discussing your problem-solving experiences.
• Tailor your interview answer with the specific skills and qualifications outlined in the job description.
• Provide numerical data or metrics to demonstrate the tangible impact of your problem-solving efforts.

What are Problem Solving Skills? 

Problem-solving is the ability to identify a problem, prioritize based on gravity and urgency, analyze the root cause, gather relevant information, develop and evaluate viable solutions, decide on the most effective and logical solution, and plan and execute implementation. 

Problem-solving encompasses other skills that can be showcased in an interview response and your resume. Problem-solving skills examples include:

• Critical thinking
• Analytical skills
• Decision making
• Research skills
• Technical skills
• Communication skills
• Adaptability and flexibility

Why is Problem Solving Important in the Workplace?

Problem-solving is essential in the workplace because it directly impacts productivity and efficiency. Whenever you encounter a problem, tackling it head-on prevents minor issues from escalating into bigger ones that could disrupt the entire workflow. 

Beyond maintaining smooth operations, your ability to solve problems fosters innovation. It encourages you to think creatively, finding better ways to achieve goals, which keeps the business competitive and pushes the boundaries of what you can achieve. 

Effective problem-solving also contributes to a healthier work environment; it reduces stress by providing clear strategies for overcoming obstacles and builds confidence within teams. 

Examples of Problem-Solving in the Workplace

• Correcting a mistake at work, whether it was made by you or someone else
• Overcoming a delay at work through problem solving and communication
• Resolving an issue with a difficult or upset customer
• Overcoming issues related to a limited budget, and still delivering good work through the use of creative problem solving
• Overcoming a scheduling/staffing shortage in the department to still deliver excellent work
• Troubleshooting and resolving technical issues
• Handling and resolving a conflict with a coworker
• Solving any problems related to money, customer billing, accounting and bookkeeping, etc.
• Taking initiative when another team member overlooked or missed something important
• Taking initiative to meet with your superior to discuss a problem before it became potentially worse
• Solving a safety issue at work or reporting the issue to those who could solve it
• Using problem solving abilities to reduce/eliminate a company expense
• Finding a way to make the company more profitable through new service or product offerings, new pricing ideas, promotion and sale ideas, etc.
• Changing how a process, team, or task is organized to make it more efficient
• Using creative thinking to come up with a solution that the company hasn’t used before
• Performing research to collect data and information to find a new solution to a problem
• Boosting a company or team’s performance by improving some aspect of communication among employees
• Finding a new piece of data that can guide a company’s decisions or strategy better in a certain area

Problem-Solving Examples for Recent Grads/Entry-Level Job Seekers

• Coordinating work between team members in a class project
• Reassigning a missing team member’s work to other group members in a class project
• Adjusting your workflow on a project to accommodate a tight deadline
• Speaking to your professor to get help when you were struggling or unsure about a project
• Asking classmates, peers, or professors for help in an area of struggle
• Talking to your academic advisor to brainstorm solutions to a problem you were facing
• Researching solutions to an academic problem online, via Google or other methods
• Using problem solving and creative thinking to obtain an internship or other work opportunity during school after struggling at first

How To Answer “Tell Us About a Problem You Solved”

When you answer interview questions about problem-solving scenarios, or if you decide to demonstrate your problem-solving skills in a cover letter (which is a good idea any time the job description mentions problem-solving as a necessary skill), I recommend using the STAR method.

STAR stands for:

It’s a simple way of walking the listener or reader through the story in a way that will make sense to them. 

Start by briefly describing the general situation and the task at hand. After this, describe the course of action you chose and why. Ideally, show that you evaluated all the information you could given the time you had, and made a decision based on logic and fact. Finally, describe the positive result you achieved.

Note: Our sample answers below are structured following the STAR formula. Be sure to check them out!

EXPERT ADVICE

Dr. Kyle Elliott , MPA, CHES Tech & Interview Career Coach caffeinatedkyle.com

How can I communicate complex problem-solving experiences clearly and succinctly?

Before answering any interview question, it’s important to understand why the interviewer is asking the question in the first place.

When it comes to questions about your complex problem-solving experiences, for example, the interviewer likely wants to know about your leadership acumen, collaboration abilities, and communication skills, not the problem itself.

Therefore, your answer should be focused on highlighting how you excelled in each of these areas, not diving into the weeds of the problem itself, which is a common mistake less-experienced interviewees often make.

Tailoring Your Answer Based on the Skills Mentioned in the Job Description

As a recruiter, one of the top tips I can give you when responding to the prompt “Tell us about a problem you solved,” is to tailor your answer to the specific skills and qualifications outlined in the job description. 

Once you’ve pinpointed the skills and key competencies the employer is seeking, craft your response to highlight experiences where you successfully utilized or developed those particular abilities. 

For instance, if the job requires strong leadership skills, focus on a problem-solving scenario where you took charge and effectively guided a team toward resolution. 

By aligning your answer with the desired skills outlined in the job description, you demonstrate your suitability for the role and show the employer that you understand their needs.

Amanda Augustine expands on this by saying:

“Showcase the specific skills you used to solve the problem. Did it require critical thinking, analytical abilities, or strong collaboration? Highlight the relevant skills the employer is seeking.”  

Interview Answers to “Tell Me About a Time You Solved a Problem”

Now, let’s look at some sample interview answers to, “Give me an example of a time you used logic to solve a problem,” or “Tell me about a time you solved a problem,” since you’re likely to hear different versions of this interview question in all sorts of industries.

The example interview responses are structured using the STAR method and are categorized into the top 5 key problem-solving skills recruiters look for in a candidate.

1. Analytical Thinking

Situation: In my previous role as a data analyst , our team encountered a significant drop in website traffic.

Task: I was tasked with identifying the root cause of the decrease.

Action: I conducted a thorough analysis of website metrics, including traffic sources, user demographics, and page performance. Through my analysis, I discovered a technical issue with our website’s loading speed, causing users to bounce. 

Result: By optimizing server response time, compressing images, and minimizing redirects, we saw a 20% increase in traffic within two weeks.

2. Critical Thinking

Situation: During a project deadline crunch, our team encountered a major technical issue that threatened to derail our progress.

Task: My task was to assess the situation and devise a solution quickly.

Action: I immediately convened a meeting with the team to brainstorm potential solutions. Instead of panicking, I encouraged everyone to think outside the box and consider unconventional approaches. We analyzed the problem from different angles and weighed the pros and cons of each solution.

Result: By devising a workaround solution, we were able to meet the project deadline, avoiding potential delays that could have cost the company $100,000 in penalties for missing contractual obligations.

3. Decision Making

Situation: As a project manager , I was faced with a dilemma when two key team members had conflicting opinions on the project direction.

Task: My task was to make a decisive choice that would align with the project goals and maintain team cohesion.

Action: I scheduled a meeting with both team members to understand their perspectives in detail. I listened actively, asked probing questions, and encouraged open dialogue. After carefully weighing the pros and cons of each approach, I made a decision that incorporated elements from both viewpoints.

Result: The decision I made not only resolved the immediate conflict but also led to a stronger sense of collaboration within the team. By valuing input from all team members and making a well-informed decision, we were able to achieve our project objectives efficiently.

4. Communication (Teamwork)

Situation: During a cross-functional project, miscommunication between departments was causing delays and misunderstandings.

Task: My task was to improve communication channels and foster better teamwork among team members.

Action: I initiated regular cross-departmental meetings to ensure that everyone was on the same page regarding project goals and timelines. I also implemented a centralized communication platform where team members could share updates, ask questions, and collaborate more effectively.

Result: Streamlining workflows and improving communication channels led to a 30% reduction in project completion time, saving the company $25,000 in operational costs.

5. Persistence 

Situation: During a challenging sales quarter, I encountered numerous rejections and setbacks while trying to close a major client deal.

Task: My task was to persistently pursue the client and overcome obstacles to secure the deal.

Action: I maintained regular communication with the client, addressing their concerns and demonstrating the value proposition of our product. Despite facing multiple rejections, I remained persistent and resilient, adjusting my approach based on feedback and market dynamics.

Result: After months of perseverance, I successfully closed the deal with the client. By closing the major client deal, I exceeded quarterly sales targets by 25%, resulting in a revenue increase of $250,000 for the company.

Tips to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

Throughout your career, being able to showcase and effectively communicate your problem-solving skills gives you more leverage in achieving better jobs and earning more money .

So to improve your problem-solving skills, I recommend always analyzing a problem and situation before acting.

 When discussing problem-solving with employers, you never want to sound like you rush or make impulsive decisions. They want to see fact-based or data-based decisions when you solve problems.

Don’t just say you’re good at solving problems. Show it with specifics. How much did you boost efficiency? Did you save the company money? Adding numbers can really make your achievements stand out.

To get better at solving problems, analyze the outcomes of past solutions you came up with. You can recognize what works and what doesn’t.

Think about how you can improve researching and analyzing a situation, how you can get better at communicating, and deciding on the right people in the organization to talk to and “pull in” to help you if needed, etc.

Finally, practice staying calm even in stressful situations. Take a few minutes to walk outside if needed. Step away from your phone and computer to clear your head. A work problem is rarely so urgent that you cannot take five minutes to think (with the possible exception of safety problems), and you’ll get better outcomes if you solve problems by acting logically instead of rushing to react in a panic.

You can use all of the ideas above to describe your problem-solving skills when asked interview questions about the topic. If you say that you do the things above, employers will be impressed when they assess your problem-solving ability.

More Interview Resources

• 3 Answers to “How Do You Handle Stress?”
• How to Answer “How Do You Handle Conflict?” (Interview Question)
• Sample Answers to “Tell Me About a Time You Failed”

About the Author

Biron Clark is a former executive recruiter who has worked individually with hundreds of job seekers, reviewed thousands of resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and recruited for top venture-backed startups and Fortune 500 companies. He has been advising job seekers since 2012 to think differently in their job search and land high-paying, competitive positions. Follow on Twitter and LinkedIn .

Read more articles by Biron Clark

About the Contributor

Kyle Elliott , career coach and mental health advocate, transforms his side hustle into a notable practice, aiding Silicon Valley professionals in maximizing potential. Follow Kyle on LinkedIn .

About the Editor

Hayley Jukes is the Editor-in-Chief at CareerSidekick with five years of experience creating engaging articles, books, and transcripts for diverse platforms and audiences.

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The Most Important Decision-Making Skills (With Examples)

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• Verbal Communication Skills

Find a Job You Really Want In

Good decision-making skills are sought by almost all companies. Whether you’re applying for an entry-level position or an executive role, you should highlight your decision-making skills throughout the application process. In this article, we will go over what decision-making skills are, how to improve your skills in this area, and how to highlight your ability to make good decisions. Key Takeaways: You make decisions every day for various functions, from personal to professional, and consistently making good decisions can only help your career. There are three main ways to approach decision-making: using intuition, reasoning, or a combination of both. When making a decision you should identify the problem, do some research, and evaluate your options before you make a decision. In This Article    Skip to section What are decision-making skills? The most important decision-making skills More decision-making skills The decision-making process How to improve your decision-making skills How to highlight your decision-making skills while job hunting Decisiveness Skills FAQs References Sign Up For More Advice and Jobs Show More What are decision-making skills?

Decision-making skills are about your ability to choose a good option out of two or more alternatives. It takes a host of skills to be able to quickly and compassionately make wise choices that are good for both the present and the future.

There are three main categories of decision-making skills that correspond to three different ways to make decisions: using intuition, reasoning, or a combination of both.

Intuition is your default response, or the gut feeling you get when presented with a problem or decision to make. This first reaction comes from a combination of things you’ve learned, experiences you’ve had, and opinions you hold, so everyone’s intuition is different.

Using intuition means basing your decision on your lived experiences, so it can be subjective. Skills like creativity and emotional intelligence fall into this category.

Reasoning , on the other hand, is rooted in data. You reason when you use the data available to you and only base a decision on facts and figures instead of your instinctive reaction. This is a more objective way to come to a decision and it’s usually how bigger decisions are made.

Problem-solving and logical thinking are examples of decision-making skills in this category.

Both. Most often, decisions are made with some combination of both intuition and reasoning. Using both is a good way to check and make sure your choice is logical while also paying attention to the human element of it.

Since we make decisions all the time, we usually don’t stop to think about whether we should make an intuition-based or reason-based decision. Instead, we naturally use a combination of the two.

The most important decision-making skills

Many skills go into making effective decisions, from problem-solving to emotional intelligence. Here are some of the most important ones:

Problem-solving. The number one skill you need to be an effective decision-maker is problem-solving. Since decisions are just a type of problem (determining which option is the best), having strong problem-solving skills is definitely an asset.

If you approach a decision from a logical mindset as if it were a problem to solve, odds are that the solutions you come up with and your final decision will be stronger.

Choosing a reliable manufacturer to supply the product you sell. Comparing candidates to the job requirements. Reassigning tasks when an employee unexpectedly resigns.

Collaboration. Decisions can’t always be made by one person. You need to have good collaboration and compromise skills to make the best decision sometimes when it involves a group.

Even when you’re making a decision on your own, getting extra input from friends or coworkers can help you brainstorm the best outcome. Collaboration is your friend, both when you need to make a group decision and when you’re the one responsible for making the decision.

Brainstorming potential names for a new product. Asking staff about the impact of extended hours. Listening to employee needs and preferences for a new office space.

Emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence , or EQ, is the ability to observe and understand your own emotions and the emotions of the people around you. Being able to take emotions into account will make you a stronger decision-maker.

Think of this as related to intuitive decision-making. You need to balance facts, figures, and emotions to come to a good decision.

Proposing the best way to boost sales. Evaluating the impact of cutting spending. Choosing an interim manager from an internal pool.

Logical reasoning. This skill is key for the middle steps of the decision-making process. Being able to fully evaluate and analyze your information, options, and decisions will make your decisions stronger.

This skill is more closely related to reasoning, the side of decision-making that relies on facts and figures instead of on emotions.

Deciding how bonuses will be given for the year. Choosing which employee or employees to lay off. Creating an employee schedule based on time off requests and coverage needs.

Creativity. The more creative you are in your problem-solving, the better options and potential outcomes you’ll have to work with, as well as having creative ways to implement your decision.

The most straightforward option isn’t always the best one, and sometimes you need to think outside the box to find a solution that meets everyone’s needs.

Arranging a small office space so that everyone can fit comfortably and be productive. Finding ways to lower costs without sacrificing performance. Developing a new record-keeping system that meets your team’s needs.

Organization . Being organized can help you keep all of your background information, options, and other tools in order.

This allows you to stay clear-headed in your decision-making, reducing the risk that you’ll overlook a key piece of information. It can also help you feel less overwhelmed by the decision, which also results in better choices.

Creating a centralized calendar where employees can update their schedule preferences. Organizing data that will help you decide whether or not to continue a project. Collecting employee feedback in survey form to make it simpler to see what the majority wants.

More decision-making skills

There are many more skills that will help you sharpen your ability to make good decisions. Take a look at this list and see what you’re already good at and where you could improve.

Time management. Making decisions in a timely manner isn’t just about making a quick, hasty decision. Managing your time to properly work through the seven steps is a skill that will put you above everyone else.

Leadership . When collaborating and making a group decision, someone needs to take charge and make sure the decision is implemented, which is when good leadership skills are needed.

Ethics. Making ethical decisions is a necessary skill to have, so knowing how to weigh the ethical pros and cons is key.

Research . The better research you can gather in the first steps of the decision-making process, the better prepared you’ll be to make a good decision.

Analysis . Having strong analytical skills will help you ensure that your decisions are logical and reasonable.

Flexibility. Quick-thinking and flexibility are your friends when it comes to making decisions since sometimes you’ll have to compromise or new constraints will pop up, changing how you approach a decision.

The decision-making process

Effective decision-makers use a seven-step process to tackle decisions. While it isn’t necessary to go through these exact steps when you make a basic decision, like what to cook for dinner, it can be a great way to check your thinking as you make a big work decision, like which strategy will lead to better sales.

Identify the problem. First, you need to see the decision that you need to make and understand what will go into making that decision. This step is crucial since everything else builds upon what you do here.

Make sure you properly understand the situation, what’s being asked of you, and what tools you have available to you before moving to the next step.

Do some digging. For any decision you’ll need some background information to help you choose the right option. Sometimes this means just thinking back to details from meetings, or it can be doing more sophisticated research. You can use step one to help you identify what information you’ll need to make a good decision.

Think creatively. In this step you want to think of as many solutions as possible. It doesn’t matter if they’re good or bad, you just want to consider all of your options.

Feel free to be as creative in your thinking as you want with this step. There are no bad options here since you want to think of every possible outcome. You’ll have a chance to check all of your brainstormed options later.

Evaluate your options. Here’s the part where you’ll give all your potential outcomes a second check. Go through the list of solutions you came up with in step three and test which ones feel better or sound more logical to you.

Don’t forget to keep your end goal in mind when you consider all the choices. That way you’re sure to make a good decision.

Make the decision . It’s time to pick one of the options you came up with. Keep in mind that you can choose a solution you came up with or even combine solutions to make the best decision possible. Reflect on your process for step four and pick the decision you feel best about.

Act on your decision. Once you’ve decided what to do, you need to start taking the actions that will help you implement the decision. These can be big or small steps, but stay focused and resolved to get the job done.

Don’t be afraid to bring other people into your process in this step. Especially for large workplace decisions, you might want to call on your coworkers to help you get things done.

Look back. When your decision is made and you’ve had some time to see its effects, take a second to evaluate that decision. Think about whether the decision had the outcome you wanted it to, or if it wasn’t so successful.

Taking this time to reflect on your decision-making is a great way to not only improve your ability to make a good decision but also to learn more about yourself. You can even ask other people for their opinion on the effects of a decision to see how your perception of the impact lines up with others’ opinions.

How to improve your decision-making skills

To improve your decision-making skills, practice goal-setting, reducing your number of choices, and conducting good research. You should also work on your communication skills and give yourself a limit on how long you have to make a decisions.

Set good goals . Having your eye on the big picture is enormously helpful when it comes to decision-making. Someone can make all the right decisions, but if their ultimate goal is wrongheaded, then those great decisions don’t add up to anything useful.

Reduce choice. Americans love options, but being inundated with too many potential choices can paralyze you. Before you begin making decisions, try to narrow down your possible choices to the top three.

Research. Decision-making isn’t easy when you don’t have all the facts in front of you. Good decisions are predicated on good data, so start working to improve your research skills. The greater your knowledge and expertise, the simpler most decisions become.

Communicate early and often. Communication skills complement decision-making skills well. Whether you’re seeking out advice or expressing a project’s goal, thorough communication helps you make decisions more effectively.

Don’t analyze forever. The phrase “paralysis by analysis” is all too true. Don’t be afraid to make small decisions without 100% of the information you might need. A few minor failures can actually help generate better ideas. Start with the minimum viable solution, and iterate from there.

How to highlight your decision-making skills while job hunting

To highlight your decision-making skills in your job search , look for decision-making skills and terms in the job description, and incorporate any that apply to you into your resume and cover letter. You should also highlight them in your interview answers.

Check the job description. Read the job description carefully and look for words that indicate decision-making like:

Incorporate the decision-making skills from the job description into your resume. Look for ways to incorporate the same language from the job description into your resume .

Let’s take a look at an example resume’s work experience section showcasing decision-making skills:

Saved product team over $50k annually in materials costs by analyzing low ROI spends and rerouting funds to lucrative projects Reduced accounting labor hours by 21% by automating payroll systems and creating streamlined tracking spreadsheets Optimized virtual meeting schedule, netting an average of 3 hours of meetings saved weekly, while improving employee productivity by 6%

Expound on your decision-making skills in your cover letter. A cover letter should cover similar accomplishments where you leveraged your top-notch decision-making skills. However, you can go into more detail about one or two accomplishments, rather than briefly touching on them as you would in a resume .

Highlight your decision-making skills in your interview. For a job interview , it’s equally important to know what metrics your performance will be judged on. By showing that you’re already thinking of how to achieve the most important results, you’re painting yourself as a candidate with great decision-making abilities.

Decisiveness Skills FAQs

What are the key skills for decision-making?

Key skills for decision-making are problem-solving, logical reasoning, and emotional intelligence. These skills combine to help you navigate almost any decision. This is because you use your logic and EQ to consider your reasoning and intuition and come up with a balanced approach. Your problem-solving skills will also help you build confidence when you have to make a choice and stick with it.

How can I be a good decision maker?

To be good at making decisions, match your decision based on your goals and values. This ensures that your decision is one that you can stand by, regardless of the outcome. However, sometimes this is hard to figure out.

If you struggle to make decisions, make sure to manage your stress, consider all the outcomes, and weigh the pros and cons. Additionally, if you can, take some time to avoid making rash decisions. It also helps to talk to others or to write out your thoughts and feelings in the process.

What are the characteristics of a good decision?

A good decision comes with clear reasoning, judgment of values, and is realistically accomplished. As long as your decision does not bring harm to others, you can use these characteristics to determine whether or not your decision was a good one. Your decisions should, in one way or another, bring you closer to your goals, both big and small.

What is strategic decision-making?

Strategic decision-making is when you base short-term decisions on long-term goals. In a sense, your decisions are part of your “strategy” to achieve some end. Strategic decision-making is particularly useful for businesses when they need to align daily needs with long-term objectives.

How do you demonstrate strong decision-making skills?

Demonstrate strong decision-making skills by providing examples of times you’ve used good decision-making skills. You can do this in your resume, cover letter , or during your interview.

Consumer Protection Financial Bureau – Financial Knowledge and Decision-Making Skills

Harvard Business School – 5 Key Decision-Making Techniques For Managers

UMass Dartmouth – Decision-Making Process

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Amanda is a writer with experience in various industries, including travel, real estate, and career advice. After taking on internships and entry-level jobs, she is familiar with the job search process and landing that crucial first job. Included in her experience is work at an employer/intern matching startup where she marketed an intern database to employers and supported college interns looking for work experience.

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The SkillsYouNeed Guide to Interpersonal Skills

Making decisions and solving problems are two key areas in life, whether you are at home or at work. Whatever you’re doing, and wherever you are, you are faced with countless decisions and problems, both small and large, every day.

Many decisions and problems are so small that we may not even notice them. Even small decisions, however, can be overwhelming to some people. They may come to a halt as they consider their dilemma and try to decide what to do.

Small and Large Decisions

In your day-to-day life you're likely to encounter numerous 'small decisions', including, for example:

Tea or coffee?

What shall I have in my sandwich? Or should I have a salad instead today?

What shall I wear today?

Larger decisions may occur less frequently but may include:

Should we repaint the kitchen? If so, what colour?

Should we relocate?

Should I propose to my partner? Do I really want to spend the rest of my life with him/her?

These decisions, and others like them, may take considerable time and effort to make.

The relationship between decision-making and problem-solving is complex. Decision-making is perhaps best thought of as a key part of problem-solving: one part of the overall process.

Our approach at Skills You Need is to set out a framework to help guide you through the decision-making process. You won’t always need to use the whole framework, or even use it at all, but you may find it useful if you are a bit ‘stuck’ and need something to help you make a difficult decision.

Decision Making

Effective Decision-Making

This page provides information about ways of making a decision, including basing it on logic or emotion (‘gut feeling’). It also explains what can stop you making an effective decision, including too much or too little information, and not really caring about the outcome.

A Decision-Making Framework

This page sets out one possible framework for decision-making.

The framework described is quite extensive, and may seem quite formal. But it is also a helpful process to run through in a briefer form, for smaller problems, as it will help you to make sure that you really do have all the information that you need.

Problem Solving

Introduction to Problem-Solving

This page provides a general introduction to the idea of problem-solving. It explores the idea of goals (things that you want to achieve) and barriers (things that may prevent you from achieving your goals), and explains the problem-solving process at a broad level.

The first stage in solving any problem is to identify it, and then break it down into its component parts. Even the biggest, most intractable-seeming problems, can become much more manageable if they are broken down into smaller parts. This page provides some advice about techniques you can use to do so.

Sometimes, the possible options to address your problem are obvious. At other times, you may need to involve others, or think more laterally to find alternatives. This page explains some principles, and some tools and techniques to help you do so.

Having generated solutions, you need to decide which one to take, which is where decision-making meets problem-solving. But once decided, there is another step: to deliver on your decision, and then see if your chosen solution works. This page helps you through this process.

‘Social’ problems are those that we encounter in everyday life, including money trouble, problems with other people, health problems and crime. These problems, like any others, are best solved using a framework to identify the problem, work out the options for addressing it, and then deciding which option to use.

This page provides more information about the key skills needed for practical problem-solving in real life.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide to Interpersonal Skills eBooks.

Develop your interpersonal skills with our series of eBooks. Learn about and improve your communication skills, tackle conflict resolution, mediate in difficult situations, and develop your emotional intelligence.

Guiding you through the key skills needed in life

As always at Skills You Need, our approach to these key skills is to provide practical ways to manage the process, and to develop your skills.

Neither problem-solving nor decision-making is an intrinsically difficult process and we hope you will find our pages useful in developing your skills.

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See also: Improving Communication Interpersonal Communication Skills Building Confidence

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• Resume and Cover Letter
• 7 Best Problem-Solving Skills...

7 Best Problem-Solving Skills for Your Resume + Examples

11 min read · Updated on April 17, 2024

If you're a strong problem solver, your resume needs to prove it!

Imagine this scenario: a supplier delivers the wrong piece of equipment, your deadline is tomorrow, and your logistics person is out sick. What would you do if you were the one who had to respond?

All businesses encounter problems at one time or another. That's why companies need high-quality employees on hand who can solve problems like shifting deadlines, equipment failure, and changing client needs. Those problem-solving skills can mean the difference between success and failure. 

That's why today's employers are actively seeking candidates who possess these critical problem-solving skills. 

But what are problem-solving skills? 

How do you identify which ones you might have or which ones a hiring manager might be looking for? 

Most importantly, how can you present problem-solving on your resume to land that interview?

In this post, we'll help you learn to identify, define, and present problem-solving skills in your resume.

What are problem-solving skills?

Put simply, problem-solving skills help you overcome challenges and obstacles. They enable you to identify the core issue, propose solutions, choose the best option, and implement it.

When employers talk about problem-solving skills, they're usually referring to the ability to deal with challenging, complex, or unexpected situations. While they enable someone to assess and solve problems calmly, these skills can also be useful for relationship building and routine decision-making.

Why do companies need employees with problem-solving skills?

All companies experience challenges that can impact their operations and effectiveness. Those businesses will always need people to help them to find solutions to their problems. In fact, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' Job Outlook, 86% of employers look for problem-solving skills on student resumes.

Employers like to see good problem-solving skills because it also shows them you have a range of other talents, like logic, creativity, resilience, imagination, and lateral thinking.

Looking for problem-solving skills in a job description

Sometimes, a job description will plainly state the problem-solving skills that the job requires. More often, however, problem-solving is one of those skill sets that don't necessarily appear in the “requirements” section of a job post. Employers simply expect candidates to demonstrate an analytical mind. So, instead, they will describe those desired skills using other phrases.

In those instances, you can look for keywords to identify the skills the employer is seeking. When you find any relevant keywords in the job description, you'll be able to tell what skills you should highlight in the resume you send in.

How to include problem-solving skills on a resume

It should be easy to highlight these skills during an interview, where you can describe a specific problem and paint a picture of how you successfully solved it. But it's also easy to find ways to illustrate your problem-solving on your resume.

Problem-solving skills sound like they're self-explanatory, but they can be difficult to describe without good storytelling. Unlike conceptual skills like abstract thinking and ideation, problem-solving skills are all about developing and implementing an action plan. That's why the best strategy to demonstrate your problem-solving skills is to tell a story: find specific examples of challenging scenarios and explain the plan you implemented and the results you achieved. 

Related post : How to Create an Effective STAR Method Resume (With Examples)

Many resumes will use terms like “critical thinker” or “problem-solver.” Instead, get specific by showing how you've used a skill in a way that has solved a problem at work. 

Give examples of scenarios where those skills lead to a solution

Describe a specific process you employed

List major accomplishments enabled by your solution

Add specific training related to problem-solving skills

Use various keywords to avoid repeating “problem-solving”

Let's look at 4 places on a resume where you can describe your problem-solving skills. 

Where to include problem-solving skills on your resume

The summary.

The summary is a great place to present a core skill that has benefitted you and your employers. If you've been responsible for finding out-of-the-box solutions to unexpected problems or been a team leader known for adjusting to personnel or process challenges, this is the place to introduce those talents.

Solutions-driven sales specialist with 10 years of experience managing sales teams, analyzing markets, expanding market reach, and solving logistics issues. Extensive experience with rolling out new products and reinventing campaigns. Transformed market by 40% despite a period of intense market fluctuation.

In the work experience section

The work experience section is the ideal place to list problem-solving skills that have contributed to proven solutions. When detailing past job roles, you can use details like percentages, dollar amounts, and specific scenarios to show how your ability to analyze issues, find options, and communicate action plans has solved problems. 

Mention a time when you took the initiative to troubleshoot key areas

Explain your habit of collecting new data regularly

Give examples of instances when you assumed a leadership role in process optimization

Look at the following resume example. It shows how this candidate's ability to design solutions, optimize testing processes, and adjust the process to the client helped to optimize process efficiency and save the client money. 

In addition, the candidate highlights his communication skills by showing that he can collaborate with clients to adapt processes to their needs. 

Solar Engineer, Acme Corp, 2010 - 2020

Developed solution designs in collaboration with Software Architects that improved process efficiency by 150% and reduced costs by $300K

Supported testing on 3 large-scale projects to refine solutions and ensure they were fit for purpose and matched the customer's needs, resulting in $1M savings for the client

The skills section

If problem-solving skills are needed for a particular role, the hiring manager will be looking for them in the skills section. The key, however, is to only list skills that specifically relate to the job posting. 

Remember, it's crucial to tailor each resume to a specific job advertisement, including the skills section. This is obviously easier if the job post explicitly lists desired skills. If it doesn't, look for keywords in the bullet points of the requirements part of the job description to find specific problem-solving skills to include in your resume.

Is it a management position looking for a “proven leader?” Communication skills are a must-have talent.

Is it a logistics position that requires experience with scaling? Then, troubleshooting and negotiation skills will be paramount.

There are both soft skills and hard skills that can be defined as problem-solving skills. “Test development” can be trained, but “troubleshooting” improves with experience. When considering which skills you possess, look at both categories.

Data analysis / Process analysis / Project design / Solution design / Test development / Benchmark development / Troubleshooting / Collaboration

A notable achievements section

A notable achievements section isn't always necessary, but some resumes can benefit from including one. If, for example, you're using a functional resume format for a career change resume or you're a senior executive looking to emphasize career highlights, an accomplishments section can really highlight those skills in action. 

If you're using this section to focus on your problem-solving skills, describe accomplishments with demonstrable results.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

• Re-designed and upgraded front-end on 20+ sites with jQuery, AJAX, and Handlebars.js
• Oversaw process improvements, which reduced expenses by $225,000 per quarter
• Restructured the supply chain team following vendor flow issues

Related post : Seven Key Resume Sections and How to Organize Them

7 Important problem-solving skills for your resume

Problem-solving skills can range from detail-oriented diagnostics to team leadership. Here's a list of skills involved in various stages of the problem-solving process. When crafting your resume, look to these examples to see what problem-solving skills you might have.

1. Research

Research skills are an essential component of the problem-solving skill set, enabling you to identify and understand the root cause of an issue. Research involves gathering data and information, consulting with more experienced colleagues, acquiring knowledge online or from external sources, and collating newfound data for dissemination. This skill is about the ability to find and use the right resources, extract the data you need, and brainstorm with the right group of people. This means:

Studying specific cases without generalizing

Aiming at variables that make the desired differences

Reporting findings in understandable terms

2. Analysis

The first step in finding a solution is an effective analysis of the problem.  To solve a problem, you must be able to analyze it from every angle. Your analytical skills will also help you identify and propose solutions that can resolve the problem.

Analytical skills allow you to assess data and processes to find solutions to a company's challenges. These include:

Forecasting

Data analysis

Interpretation of data and metrics

Deductive reasoning

Inductive reasoning 

Diagnostics

3. Critical-thinking

Critical thinking is the ability to process details with a particular flow and draw connections between concepts and facts. In other words, it's “thinking about thinking” – or finding and fixing flaws in the way we think.

The ability to think critically is the foundation of problem solving. Unless you can see the big picture, you won't be able to identify the pros and cons of different action plans. 

Critical thinking includes:

Interpretation

Open-mindedness

4. Decision making

Decision-making is the ability to choose solutions to problems. Simply stated, it's taking the relevant collected data, considering multiple viewpoints, and making an informed choice.

Once the choices are narrowed down, you'll need to pull the trigger – knowing you'll be held accountable for the decision. At times, you may need to make these decisions quickly, even if the wrong decision might make the problem worse. The ability to make proper use of your research and analysis to select the best action plan is a valuable skill. Components of this skill include:

Emotional Intelligence

Organization

5. Creativity

Sometimes, the best solution is only found by thinking outside the box. That demands creativity. 

Creativity is the ability to approach a task or a challenge in a different way. In other words, it's possessing the imagination to generate new ideas and find interesting approaches and unique perspectives. Creativity is often described as

Divergent thinking

Inspirational thinking

Outside-the-box thinking

Experimental thinking

6. Communication

Strong communication skills are vital during all phases of problem solving:

While identifying and analyzing the problem, you'll need to know how to communicate the core issues to others.

When researching the background of the issue, you'll need to know what communication channels are appropriate when seeking guidance.

When brainstorming possible solutions, you will need to know how to guide a team through positive and effective discussions.

Then, once you find a solution, communicating the action plan with clarity and precision is key to avoiding confusion and achieving proper implementation. 

No problem would ever be solved without good communication skills at work. 

Communication skills, however, include a much broader array of abilities beyond just speaking clearly. They also encompass listening in ways that make your colleagues feel heard, body language that puts your audience at ease, and vocal pitch adjustments to make your point land better. Here are a few common communication skills:

Active listening

Giving constructive feedback

Presentation / visual communication

Nonverbal communication

Written communication

Oral communication

Voice modulation

Rapport building 

7. Collaboration

In the business world, most problems are solved by teams of dedicated personnel, working in collaboration with one another. When highlighting this skill, you need to show how you've worked effectively as part of a team to generate and implement solutions.

Collaboration, by definition, means working with one or more individuals to complete a task. In the workplace, collaboration can be brainstorming ideas, delegating tasks to individual strengths, layering pieces of a process, or bringing together the team to understand the bigger picture.

When people work together, they're more effective at problem solving than when attempting to go it alone. Successful collaboration with your coworkers also increases their motivation and engagement at work, making them feel like they're an important part of the team. 

Collaboration includes:

Long-term thinking

Adaptability

Positive debate

Emotional intelligence

The bottom line

In an increasingly complex business environment, the ability to solve problems is more important than ever before. As a result, including these high-value problem-solving skills on your resume can help to ensure that employers recognize your full value proposition as a prospective new hire. That, in turn, can help to separate you from your competition and increase your odds of landing an interview and job offer.

If you want to make sure that the problem-solving skills in your resume are making the right impression on employers, take a few moments to get your free resume review from our team of experts today!

Related reading:

9 Soft Skills Employers Are Looking for in 2022

11 Steps to Writing the Perfect Resume

Standout Skills for a Resume: How to Make your Resume Great  

Related Articles:

Guide to Writing a Great Resume with No Work Experience

Higher Order Thinking Explained

How to Describe Organizational Skills When Applying for a Job

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How to Make Great Decisions, Quickly

• Martin G. Moore

It’s a skill that will set you apart.

As a new leader, learning to make good decisions without hesitation and procrastination is a capability that can set you apart from your peers. While others vacillate on tricky choices, your team could be hitting deadlines and producing the type of results that deliver true value. That’s something that will get you — and them — noticed. Here are a few of a great decision:

• Great decisions are shaped by consideration of many different viewpoints. This doesn’t mean you should seek out everyone’s opinion. The right people with the relevant expertise need to clearly articulate their views to help you broaden your perspective and make the best choice.
• Great decisions are made as close as possible to the action. Remember that the most powerful people at your company are rarely on the ground doing the hands-on work. Seek input and guidance from team members who are closest to the action.
• Great decisions address the root cause, not just the symptoms. Although you may need to urgently address the symptoms, once this is done you should always develop a plan to fix the root cause, or else the problem is likely to repeat itself.
• Great decisions balance short-term and long-term value. Finding the right balance between short-term and long-term risks and considerations is key to unlocking true value.
• Great decisions are timely. If you consider all of the elements listed above, then it’s simply a matter of addressing each one with a heightened sense of urgency.

Like many young leaders, early in my career, I thought a great decision was one that attracted widespread approval. When my colleagues smiled and nodded their collective heads, it reinforced (in my mind, at least) that I was an excellent decision maker.

• MM Martin G. Moore is the founder of Your CEO Mentor and author of No Bullsh!t Leadership and host of the No Bullsh!t Leadership podcast. His purpose is to improve the quality of leaders globally through practical, real world leadership content. For more information, please visit, www.martingmoore.com.

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What Are Decision-Making Skills?

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Forage puts students first. Our blog articles are written independently by our editorial team. They have not been paid for or sponsored by our partners. See our full  editorial guidelines .

Decision-making skills are the soft skills that you can use to help solve every problem at a company. Whether an employee needs to choose what font is best for a brand logo or what growth marketing tactic to use, making good decisions is crucial to company success. 

So, what are some decision-making skills examples, and how can you improve your decision-making skills? In this guide, we’ll cover:

Decision-Making Skills Definition

Decision-making skills examples, how to demonstrate decision-making skills in an interview, how to improve decision-making skills, decision-making: the bottom line.

>>MORE: Discover the right career for you based on your skills with a career aptitude test .

Decision-making skills are all of the skills you need to make an informed, rational decision. Someone with good decision-making skills at work can assess all the facts, understand the company’s current state and goal state, and choose the best course of action. 

In the workplace, this can look like:

• Facilitating a brainstorming session to decide on a new product feature
• Choosing a candidate to give a job offer to
• Collecting feedback from team members to ideate a new team workflow
• Researching market trends to understand how they’ll impact company strategy
• Networking with an external person to learn how they approach workplace problems at their company
• Collaborating with a team member who disagrees with you to find a joint solution
• Identifying a data reporting issue and digging in to remedy it

Decision-making is about much more than the final result. Numerous types of skills go into decision-making, including analysis, creativity, collaboration, and leadership skills .

Analytical Skills

Analytical skills help you collect and assess information before you make a final decision. An analytical person zooms out on the problem, looks at all the facts, and tries to interpret any patterns or findings they might see. These kinds of skills help you make fact-based decisions using logical thinking .

Creativity Skills

Decision-making isn’t just all facts and figures; it also requires creative thinking to brainstorm solutions that might not be so straightforward or traditional. Creative decision-makers think outside of what’s been done before and develop original ideas and solutions for solving problems. In addition, they’re open-minded and willing to try new things.

Collaboration Skills

Good decisions take into account multiple ideas and perspectives. Collaboration skills help you find a solution by working together with one or more teammates. Involving numerous people in the decision-making process can help bring together different skillsets, exposing you to other problem-solving methods and ways of thinking.

Leadership Skills

While collaboration is often crucial for good decision-making, someone must take the lead and make a final decision. Leadership skills can help you consider all perspectives and decide on a singular solution that best represents your team members’ ideas. 

You don’t need to be a manager to take the lead in decision-making. Even if you don’t have the final say, speaking up and sharing your ideas will not only help you stand out at work but prove you can be an effective leader.

Hiring managers will generally ask straightforward interview questions to get you to demonstrate your decision-making skills. 

According to Belinda O’Regan, a global HR and remuneration specialist who has helped create Forage virtual work experience programs, hiring managers will “often use the STAR method of probing for the information they want to check for.” They want you to give a step-by-step account of how you made a critical work decision.

“First, start by explaining the situation and clearly what the decision was that you personally had to make,” O’Regan advises. “Stay away from a time when you were part of a decision. They are interested in when you had to make the decision independently. Then, talk about why the decision had to made. From there, describe the action you took. Be clear on the basis on which you made the decision. Do not just skip to the decision you made but lay out the facts that you used, the people you consulted, the research you did etc. The interviewer wants to see if you make decisions based on actual information or you make them without much thought. End your answer with what the final result was, which hopefully was positive!”

Interview Success

Practice answering five commonly asked interview questions in real time.

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Skills you’ll build: Communication, presentation, public speaking, poise

Decision-making skills improve as you’re required to make more decisions, but you don’t need to be in a high-stakes work environment to practice these skills. You can even improve your decision-making with exercises like what you’re making for dinner — it’s all about how you slow down, consider the facts, ask for help, and reflect on your decision. 

Making fast decisions is a valuable skill, but you won’t make the best decisions if you move quickly — at first. So start slowly by zooming out and looking at all the factors of your decision-making process. You don’t need only to consider big decisions; things like what outfit to wear or what to do this weekend count too. Next, consider: 

• What facts are you taking into account? 
• How many solutions do you come up with? 
• How do you arrive at your conclusion?

When you break down the decision-making process slowly, you’ll become accustomed to the steps it takes to make an effective decision — which over time and with practice, can help you become a more efficient, faster decision-maker.

Consider the Facts

It’s easy to make decisions based on our assumptions, yet digging deeper and searching for facts is the best way to be an effective, rational decision-maker. Practice taking a step back and assessing the information you have to make a decision. Do you know all of the facts? Are you leaning toward a conclusion because of an assumption? Focusing on the facts is a great way to learn and identify your biases.

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Ask for Help

Some decisions can be made alone, but when you ask someone to weigh in, they can help show you perspectives and ways of thinking you might not have previously considered. In addition, this will help expose you to different problem-solving methods that you might not have used before.

The best way to get better at decision-making is to reflect on the decisions you’ve already made. Then, in hindsight, you can see where you might have misstepped. Reflecting can help you identify problem patterns within your decision-making and, over time, help you become a better decision-maker. 

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What careers are right for you based on your skills? Take this quiz to find out. It’s completely free — you’ll just need to sign up to get your results!

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Employers want employees who can help solve their problems, so strong decision-making will always be a valuable workplace skill. Yet it’s not enough to be able to make decisions on the fly; you need to make smart, rational decisions that consider all the facts, understand the company’s resources and goals, and lead to practical solutions.

If you can show off your strong decision-making skills by describing how you’ve made critical decisions at work before, you’ll make it an easy decision for the employer to hire you.

Image Credit: Thirdman / Pexels

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Build career skills recruiters are looking for.

You’ll Need Decision-Making Skills in Any Job—Here’s How to Get Them, Use Them, and Show Them Off

Whether you’re a first-time intern or president and CEO, decision-making is a crucial component of success at every rung on the career ladder. Companies rely on top talent to keep the business moving with quick, thoughtful decisions—from small, individual choices about the best way to tackle your to-do list to major strategic overhauls that affect the entire organization.

“Different employers look for various skills and strengths depending on their job requirements, but all organizations seek decision-making skills,” says executive career consultant Susan Peppercorn . Recruiters and hiring managers are looking to assess decision-making skills for just about every role they need to fill. Your ability to develop and maintain those skills, and also show them off as a candidate, can make or break your chances at landing that dream job—and then, of course, determine whether or not you succeed in it.

What Are Decision-Making Skills and Why Are They Important at Work?

Decision-making skills hinge on your “ability to see, understand, and articulate the outcomes of actions,” says executive coach Debbie Radish-Respess . They help you quickly and efficiently analyze a situation so you can choose paths that will ultimately lead to the best possible outcomes.

Radish-Respess had to fine-tune her own decision-making skills in her years working in human resources, five of which she spent as a VP, before transitioning into executive and leadership coaching. One of the things she learned is that it isn’t enough to simply know which decision to make; you also have to be able to communicate potential outcomes in order to convince other team members and leaders that your choices are the most sound. When an employee is able to do both, all aspects of the business (from financial to operational to interpersonal) benefit.

“Whether it’s a question of deciding which candidate to hire, which consultant to use, what project to implement or product to develop, having the capacity to make the best decision is critical for an organization’s success,” says Peppercorn, who has become a bit of a decision-making expert herself, building her own business guiding professionals in their careers. “Employees who can demonstrate the ability to identify all the options and compare both cost and effectiveness have an advantage over those who can’t.”

But it’s not just about the company. It’s also about you . Decision-making skills are crucial in helping you figure out what jobs you even want—and in successfully going after those opportunities. In other words, these skills will help you land jobs, thrive at work, and enable your team and organization to meet goals, sure. But they’ll also help you navigate your career and steer it in the directions that are meaningful and fulfilling for you.

When Do You Need Decision-Making Skills in Your Career?

There are countless work-related scenarios in which decision-making skills come in handy. One of the first is the hiring process—on both sides.

Hiring managers are constantly having to evaluate the qualifications each candidate has and which set of skills might be a better fit for the role that needs to be filled, Radish-Respess says. At the same time, candidates are typically doing the same thing—assessing whether or not a position and company are right for them. The decision-making skills of everyone involved in a typical job search scenario could mean the difference between an engaged and productive employee, and a person who is miserable in a job they merely took for a paycheck.

From choosing the right format for your resume to selecting a contractor to help complete your next project, decision-making skills are a crucial component to succeeding in both the job search and your career.

Other common work-related scenarios where decision-making comes into play might include:

• Organizing a team and assigning roles and responsibilities
• Making a go-no-go decision on a project
• Determining which strategy to use to meet company goals and how to execute it
• Creating a work-from-home policy
• Selecting board members
• Picking when—and what—to delegate
• Responding appropriately to an upset customer
• Fixing a production problem as soon as it’s discovered

What Steps Can You Use to Make Any Decision?

Peppercorn explains that there are six important steps in the decision-making process:

1. Define the Problem, Challenge, or Opportunity

The decisions we make in our day-to-day lives and careers are most often responses to problems or opportunities we may be presented with. For instance, if you’re searching for a job, your problem may be narrowing down current opportunities. Or if you’re assembling a team for a new project, your problem may be choosing team members who will work well together.

Whatever the situation may be, you first need to identify what the goal of the decision is. When responding to an upset customer, for example, the goal is probably to have them leave the conversation feeling like their problem has been resolved or their voice has been heard. Whereas if you’re creating a hybrid work strategy, your goal may be to balance employee happiness, productivity, and collaboration.

Before you start exploring different steps and strategies, make sure you’re clear on what you’re trying to achieve—and let that objective guide you throughout the rest of the process.

2. Generate Several Possible Solutions or Responses

Once you’ve defined the problem, challenge, or opportunity your decision will hopefully address, you can begin to think about possible solutions. In the job search, this could mean establishing a list of available job openings in your career field. And on the job, it could mean first pulling together the list of people who are available for your project.

How you develop that list of solutions depends entirely on what your goal may be, but in most cases it involves looking at the decision that needs to be made from as many angles as possible and allowing yourself the time to brainstorm options—either alone or in a group.

You might want or need to get input from others while in the early stages, Radish-Respess says. “Decisions may be based on a client outcome, an organizational strategy, or a department project,” she explains, and you’ll need information and insights from your colleagues. Plus, we aren’t always equipped to recognize our own biases or limitations, but a team approach can help to ensure you explore all avenues.

In some cases, you may also have to ask yourself if you have the authority to make this decision on our own. For example, you may need to bring your supervisor into the decision-making process and make a judgment about when. Perhaps you need to turn to your boss at the very beginning to confirm you’re reaching for the right goal or to ask them to be involved in the brainstorming phase or you may be able to simply share your suggested solution for approval.

3. Evaluate the Costs and Benefits, or Pros and Cons, Associated With Each Option

Once you’ve generated several possible ways forward, it’s time to examine each one more closely. Evaluating your options could be as simple as creating a pro/con list for each or as detailed as designing a scoring metric that allows you to rate each choice based on your pre-determined list of desires.

When it comes to looking for a job, for example, it doesn’t usually make sense to apply to every opening you find. Not only are there likely to be at least a few that aren’t a good fit, it’s also harder to tailor your resume and personalize your cover letter when you are applying to 50 jobs as opposed to five. So instead of taking your initial list and applying everywhere, you’d be better off taking some time to narrow down your options and to apply only to the positions that you might be the best fit for. You might select three to five things you are looking for in your next role (salary, location, flexibility, etc.) and then rank all potential openings based on those categories.

Similarly, if you were looking to put together a team for an important project, look at the qualifications of each candidate available to join your team, and consider carefully how those skills might fit together in different combinations. For each potential grouping, you might go through a checklist of the skill sets you need, consider how those employees would work together, and weigh the benefits of each worker’s participation against the cost of them deprioritizing other tasks.

4. Select a Solution or Response

In a perfect world, the obvious answer would appear after a little evaluation. And sometimes, that’s exactly what happens: One choice is clearly better than all the others.

In the real world, however, you’re often faced with choices that have comparable appeals and drawbacks. For instance, you might be offered two jobs: one in the exact field you want to work in, but for about $10,000 less a year than you want to make, and the other offering your goal salary, but with the caveat being that you would have to relocate. Neither choice fulfills everything, but both provide something, at which point you have to decide which one comes closest to being what you want. This may mean you have to drill your original pros and cons list down further, ranking each category by level of importance to you. Or it could mean adding additional categories you hadn’t initially considered, like room for growth or position prestige.

You may have to keep tweaking your evaluation methods until the right decision becomes clear—or at a certain point, you may have to simply select one path and move forward with it.

5. Implement the Option You’ve Chosen

When making important decisions, it is always important to commit. Don’t allow yourself to look back at the other options you could have chosen, or to what-if yourself into inaction and failure. Instead, commit to the choice you’ve settled on and focus on implementing the steps necessary to make it a success.

6. Assess the Impact of the Decision and Modify the Course of Action as Needed

Of course, committing doesn’t mean you can’t course-correct when necessary. What seemed like your dream job could turn out to be a nightmare if your direct supervisor is a bully. And what appeared to be the perfect solution for an upset customer could backfire if they’ve been offered the same solution in the past and aren’t satisfied.

Give yourself room to monitor your progress and to switch lanes if necessary. That doesn’t mean looking back. It just means starting from where you’re at and finding another way to get to where you want to be if your current choice isn’t getting you there.

What Are Some Examples of Decision-Making Skills?

As you work through the decision-making steps, you may wonder what types of skills actually make a person a strong decision maker. Here are a few of the key skills you’ll need:

• Problem-solving : Understanding the variables that influence the decision is crucial, as is understanding the impact of each decision you might make, Radish-Respess says. Being able to evaluate and solve a problem is the basis for making most decisions.
• Judgement: Of course, you can’t adequately evaluate anything without sound judgment. The ability to look at a situation clearly, identify potential problems and solutions, be aware of potential biases, and predict outcomes and repercussions will help you make better decisions.
• Intuition: Trusting your instincts can be a good start, Radish-Respess says. Our instincts are often based on our real-life experiences and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. We don’t always have a lot of time to make decisions, and in those moments when quick thinking is necessary, our intuition can be incredibly valuable.
• Teamwork: Collaboration, trust, and respect help teams make critical decisions, Radish-Respess says. When focusing on client deliverables, for instance, you must work with the client, and often other team members, to figure out what the client is looking for, how to best meet their needs, and how to improve the overall quality of the project. So many decisions you make at work require input from colleagues and approval from above as you work toward shared goals, and strong working relationships can help make the process as smooth and effective as possible, even when you disagree.
• Emotional intelligence: Like intuition, our emotions can often serve as a guide for where we need to go. When you’re hit with a burst of excitement, or a sudden wave of panic, it can be worth listening to those emotions and following them where they may lead. But it goes beyond self-awareness. When you’re working with a team to make an important decision, being attuned to others’ emotions and reactions can help you gather the right information, evaluate the options, and ultimately select a way forward.
• Time management : Scheduling, project management, and deadlines help decision-makers address the most pressing issues, challenges, and projects in a timely manner, Radish-Respess says. When you know what your deadline is, you can identify the steps necessary to reach your goal on time. This also allows you to track your progress and speed up or slow down your decision-making process as necessary. Because let’s be honest: Your well-thought out decision loses all value if you make it too late to matter.

How Can You Improve Your Decision-Making Skills?

It’s one thing to recognize the importance of decision-making skills, it’s another entirely to evaluate and improve your own. But that’s exactly what you need to do if you want to hone this skill set into an asset you can rely on both on and off the job.

The best ways to improve your decision-making skills often involve seeking out learning opportunities, Radish-Respess says, such as:

• Taking a decision-making course: Believe it or not, there are online courses for everything these days, including soft skills like decision-making. You can look for options on Udemy , Coursera , and LinkedIn Learning , and other online learning platforms .
• Working with a coach: If you’re looking to tackle a really major decision or are otherwise hoping for more personalized guidance, you might consider turning to a career coach who’s an expert in helping people with job search strategy , for example, or even to a decision coach more specifically.
• Reflecting on past decisions: When reflecting on past decisions, Radish-Respess suggests asking yourself some important questions: What did I do well? What decision could I have made instead of the one I did make? How many options were available that I didn’t take into consideration at the time? What did I like about the result? What did I not like about the result?
• Practicing: The more you flex your decision-making skills, the more confident you will become in your ability to make those important decisions when the time comes. Like anything else, these are skills you have to use in order to grow and maintain them. Even if you’re an entry-level employee, you can practice your decision-making skills by approaching your boss with proposed solutions instead of just presenting them with the problem or challenge. They may not always agree, but you’ll learn immensely from the process.
• Asking questions and getting input from others: As part of your practice, don’t be afraid to ask for help and advice—whether it’s from your manager or someone else involved in a particular decision or from a trusted colleague or mentor whose decision-making skills you admire. Hearing how others would approach a particular decision will help inform how you might do so in the future.

How Do You Show Off Your Decision-Making Skills During the Job Search?

Your decision-making skills are something you should be flaunting while searching for your next job (and if you’re still looking for roles to apply to, you can find hundreds of thousands of job openings on The Muse !). After all, hiring managers and recruiters are looking for employees who possess exactly the abilities you’ve worked so hard to gain. You can put them forward when you’re:

Building Your Resume

Numbers are important, Radish-Respess says. Any percentages, dollars, time frames, or numbers of clients served that can demonstrate the value of your decision-making skills should be highlighted here.

In other words: You don’t want to simply write “excellent decision maker” on your resume. You want to actually show what that means in terms of results wherever possible. And you can do that by writing quantified bullet points that highlight not just duties but also accomplishments .

Personalizing the Cover Letter

“Cover letters provide an opportunity to address the posted job description with a short anecdote that shows your decision-making skills and how they align with the needs of that company,” Radish-Respess says.

So let’s say the job description calls for someone who can think quickly under pressure. This would be a perfect place to tell a story about a time you had to do just that, relying on your decision-making skills to guide you.

Nailing the Interview

You can use your cover letter to paint a picture, and then your interview to connect the dots, further detailing how your decision-making skills have benefited you and your employers in the past.

One of the best ways you can show off your decision-making skills at the interview phase is by providing examples of how you’ve used them in the past, Radish-Respess says. “Did you perform an interview with a client to get a better understanding of their needs and therefore [increase] a project scope and revenue?” she asked. “Did you lead a team in which you chose the members?” And in doing so, did your team successfully complete their goals or work together in a way that was notable?

Keep those examples in mind and throw them out liberally in response to interview questions that focus on past successes—such as behavioral questions that prompt you to “ tell me about a time when… ”

If the hiring manager’s decision-making skills are as strong as yours, they’ll recognize what a mistake it would be to let another company scoop you up.

The Top 5 Problem-Solving Skills Employers Want In 2024

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Problem-solving is one of the top resume skills that employers believe will grow in importance over the next five years (and beyond), according to the Future of Jobs report by the World Economic Forum.

“Research in the past few years points to problem-solving skills as being crucial to business success. Many employers now put these ahead of technical skills,” says John Kleeman , founder of the online assessment platform Questionmark.

What does this mean for you, the job seeker?

It means that it’s more important than ever to show employers that you can identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently, whether you’re applying to an entry-level job or a senior executive position.

Table of Contents

What are problem-solving skills, why are problem-solving skills important, how to highlight problem-solving skills on a resume, how to highlight problem-solving skills in a job interview, how to develop and improve your problem-solving skills.

Use Jobscan’s free ATS-friendly resume templates and start building your resume that gets noticed by recruiters!

Problem-solving is a complex skill. It involves critical thinking , decision-making, creativity, and information processing.

Effective problem-solvers use a systematic approach that allows them to break down difficult problems into smaller, more manageable parts. 

In its simplest form, problem-solving involves three basic steps:

Step 1 – Identify the problem. This may seem obvious, but it is important to take the time to really understand what the problem is before trying to solve it. 

This can involve talking to people who are affected by the problem, doing research, or consulting experts in the field.

Step 2 – Generate a list of possible solutions. Consider how effective each solution would be and whether or not it is feasible to implement. 

Once you have narrowed down the list of possible solutions, you can then start testing out the most promising ones.

Step 3 – Implement the solution . This step also includes determining what resources are needed to put the solution into action, such as money, personnel, or technology. 

Ultimately, the goal is to come up with the most effective, practical solution that will address both the immediate issue and any underlying causes. 

By following these three steps, you should be able to easily identify and solve problems quickly and efficiently!

The top 5 problem-solving skills to put on your resume

Employees who have good problem-solving skills are vital for the successful functioning of any business.

But what specific skills are employers looking for?

Here are five of the most important problem-solving skills that businesses want their employees to have.

1) Creativity

“ Problems are nothing but wake-up calls for creativity. ” –Gerhard Gschwandtner

Creativity allows us to examine a problem from multiple perspectives, use outside-the-box thinking, and come up with innovative solutions. 

By embracing creativity, we open ourselves up to new possibilities and make our problem-solving efforts more effective.

How to use creativity in the workplace

• Create processes to improve workflow and reduce costs.
• Brainstorm ideas to develop new products or services for a company.
• Develop strategies to increase customer loyalty and satisfaction.
• Leverage technology to create more efficient processes and systems.
• Analyze data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

2) Research

“ Research is formalized curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose .”  – Zora Neale Hurston

Research skills are essential when resolving complex problems.

Only by gathering and analyzing data from multiple sources can we begin to assess the problem and determine the most appropriate solutions accurately. 

How to use research in the workplace

• Identify new markets or customer segments to target.
• Gather information about competitors and their products/services.
• Stay up to date on industry news and developments.
• Evaluate potential partners, vendors, or products before purchasing.
• Analyze past performance in order to make projections for the future.

3) Communication

“ Good communication is just as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after .”    -Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Once you’ve identified a potential solution to a problem, you need to be able to explain it clearly to others. 

This involves both verbal and written communication , as well as the ability to listen carefully and understand the perspective of others.

How to communicate in the workplace

• Clarify goals and make sure that everyone is on the same page. 
• Resolve conflicts quickly and efficiently.
• Promote collaboration among team members by fostering trust and respect.
• Allow employees to exchange feedback regularly.
• Provide recognition and appreciation to team members. 

4) Teamwork

“ Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much .” – Helen Keller

Being able to work on a team is an important skill that contributes to effective problem-solving.

When team members work together to tackle complex issues, the best solutions are often found because each individual has a unique perspective and skill set that can contribute to solving the problem.

How to be a team player in the workplace

• Foster an environment of open communication, feedback, and growth.
• Utilize the strengths of individual team members to achieve a common goal.
• Develop trust, respect, and camaraderie among team members.
• Promote a culture of accountability and ownership for projects.
• Encourage creativity, risk-taking, and an atmosphere of experimentation.

5) Decision Making

“ You cannot make progress without making decisions. ”    – Jim Rohn

It’s important to be able to identify problems and analyze possible solutions. Still, at some point, you need to make a decision . 

Good decision-makers focus on solving the problem rather than wasting time analyzing all of the available data or endlessly debating which option is best.

How to make decisions in the workplace

• Use feedback constructively to make better decisions in the future.
• Take risks when necessary while being aware of the potential consequences.
• Learn from mistakes and use data to develop better solutions.
• Demonstrate confidence and decisiveness when making difficult choices.
• Analyze situations based on facts and data, not assumptions or emotions.

Problem-solving is considered a soft skill, or “people” skill. 

Soft skills are personal attributes that can be transferred from one job to another and help employees interact more effectively with others in the workplace.

For example, in addition to problem-solving, soft skills include time management , empathy, teamwork, flexibility, and having a positive attitude. 

In today’s rapidly changing world, soft skills have become more valuable than ever to employers.

“When we look at today’s workforce,” says Eric Frazer , the author of The Psychology of Top Talent , “there’s definitely been a shift away from just having what I would call ‘tacit knowledge’ and ‘tacit skills’…meaning, you’re just good at what you do.” Instead, “There is a deeper understanding that people have to come first, before performance.” 

Problem-solving skills are crucial to the success of any business. Employees face problems every day. How they deal with them can mean the difference between success and failure.

If you can learn to identify and solve problems quickly and effectively, you’ll be an invaluable asset to your team.

It’s essential to highlight your problem-solving skills when writing your resume. Remember, employers are specifically looking for them!

Here are a few things you can do to make your problem-solving skills stand out more:

1. Use action verbs

When describing your skills on a resume, try to use catchy, memorable language that packs a punch. 

In particular, try to use action verbs . These are words that describe “doing” – like “riding” a bike or “walking” to school. 

The best action words to use on your resume are those that are descriptive and specific . These will paint a more vivid picture of your skills and experience. 

For example, instead of writing “ helped solve problems,” you could write “ identified and solved critical issues.”

Other phrases that use strong action verbs are:

• Developed creative solutions to complex problems.
• Researched and implemented best practices for problem prevention.
• Streamlined processes to reduce errors and increase efficiency.

2. Quantify your accomplishments

It’s one thing to say you have strong problem-solving skills, but it’s even better to back it up with hard numbers . 

Whenever possible on your resume, include metrics that show just how effective you are at solving problems. For example, “reduced customer complaints by 30%.”

Here are some other ways to show off numbers: 

• Managed a budget of $200,000 and reduced expenses by 10%.
• Achieved a 95% success rate in meeting objectives.
• Resolved an average of 100 customer complaints per month.

3. Describe your research skills

Research skills play a key role in solving problems. If you’re good at conducting research and finding relevant information, make sure to include that on your resume. 

For example, an office manager could say they “utilized extensive research skills to investigate new methods for streamlining inventory management.”

Here are some more examples:

• Compiled statistical data for reports and analysis.
• Analyzed research findings to develop creative solutions.
• Routinely updated databases with new information.

4. Highlight your creativity

There are many problems that cannot be solved with conventional methods. 

If you’re the type of person who is good at thinking outside the box and coming up with creative solutions, make sure to mention that on your resume. 

For example, you might say, “suggested new approaches to customer service that increased customer satisfaction.”

More examples include:

• Resolved a long-standing issue with our website’s design by implementing a new coding solution. 
• Generated fresh ideas for product development and marketing campaigns.
• Turned a failing project around by coming up with a solution that no one else had thought of.

5. Emphasize your collaboration skills

In many cases, problems can’t be solved by one person working alone. 

If you’re good at collaborating with others and working as part of a team, that’s something you should try to highlight on your resume. 

For example, a you could highlight your financial analyst skills by saying you “worked cross-functionally to launch an annual industry report.”

Other examples include:

• Brought together stakeholders with different objectives and helped them find common ground.
• Helped resolved misunderstandings between departments, resulting in a 30% increase in sales.
• Facilitated weekly team meetings to ensure consistent communication and successful completion of tasks.

When interviewers ask about your problem-solving skills, they are looking for specific examples of how you have identified and solved problems in the past. 

These problem-solving examples could be from work, from your studies, or even taken from your personal life!

Here are some tips on how to highlight your problem-solving skills in a job interview:

1. Describe your process

When describing how you solved a problem, be sure to include all the steps you took in your explanation. This will show the interviewer that you are systematic and thorough in your approach.

For example, you can highlight your account manager skills by saying something like: 

“I began by analyzing our current sales figures and identifying where we were losing customers. I then looked at our marketing strategy and identified areas where we could improve. Finally, I implemented a new marketing strategy and monitored the results closely. This led to a significant increase in sales within six months.”

2. Use problem-solving skills in the interview itself

Some interviewers will ask you to solve a problem on the spot as part of the interview process. This is usually done to assess your analytical and critical thinking skills. 

For example, someone applying for a job as a business analyst may be asked to review a company’s financial reports and identify areas of concern.

When solving problems in an interview, be sure to think out loud so the interviewer can understand your thought process. 

If you’re not sure of the answer, don’t be afraid to say so. This shows that you’re willing to admit when you don’t know something and are willing to learn.

3. Make connections to responsibilities included in the new job

Be sure to highlight how your problem-solving skills will be relevant to the responsibilities of the position you’re applying for. 

For example, if you’re applying for a job as a restaurant server, you might talk about a time when you had to diffuse a difficult customer situation.

If you make connections between your past experiences and the new job, it shows the interviewer that you’re qualified for the position and that you’re excited about the opportunity to use your skills in a new way.

4. Use specific examples and data

When describing how you used your problem-solving skills in the past, mention specific examples and support your claims with data.

This makes your story more convincing and shows that you’re not just making things up.

For example, if you’re claiming that you increased sales, be sure to back it up with sales reports, graphs, or even customer testimonials.

Improving your problem-solving skills can open up a variety of different career opportunities.

Here are some things you can do to strengthen your problem-solving abilities:

1. Be proactive

The first step to solving any problem is to recognize that it exists! 

This might seem obvious, but many people choose to ignore problems instead of facing them head-on.

Pay attention to the things that are going wrong in your life and work, and don’t sweep them under the rug.

2. Break down big problems into smaller ones

When you’re faced with a big problem, it can be overwhelming. But if you break the problem down into smaller pieces, it will be much easier to solve.

For example, let’s say you’re trying to lose weight. This is a big goal, but it can be broken down into smaller goals, like eating healthy meals and exercising regularly. 

Once you have a plan for each of these smaller goals, you’ll be one step closer to solving the bigger problem.

3. Be open-minded

Being open-minded means that you’re willing to consider all possible solutions, even if they’re not what you were originally thinking.

If you’re closed-minded, you might miss out on the best solution to the problem. So don’t be afraid to try something new.

4. Be persistent

Persistence is another important quality for problem-solvers. If you give up at the first sign of trouble, you’ll never find a solution.

When you’re facing a difficult problem, it’s important to keep trying different things until you find a solution that works. 

Don’t give up, and eventually, you’ll find the answer you’re looking for!

5. Ask for help

If you’re having trouble solving a problem, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There’s no shame in admitting that you need assistance.

There are many people who are happy to help others solve their problems. So reach out to your friends, family, or even a professional if you need some guidance.

Developing better problem-solving skills can take some time and effort, but it’s worth it!

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More expert insights on this topic:

Top 10 Transferable Skills to Put on Your Resume

Leadership Skills You Need to Include On Your Resume That Employers Actually Look For

5 Sections You Should Never Leave Off Your Resume

Robert Henderson, CPRW, is a career advice writer and a resume expert at Jobscan.

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Decision-Making Skills and How to Describe them on Your Resume?

Here are the top ways to show your Decision-Making skills on your resume. Find out relevant Decision-Making keywords and phrases and build your resume today.

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In This Guide:

What are decision-making skills, why decision-making skills are important on your resume, what skills, activities, and accomplishments help you highlight your decision-making skills, decision-making skills: key takeaways for your resume.

Decision-making is incorporated into your daily life. Most of which are straightforward and don’t require much thought. No matter if you have to choose something simple like where to go to lunch today or something more serious, like, for instance, choosing a career. Every day, you have to choose from two or more alternatives to reach the best outcome in the shortest time.

Decision-making is one of the most important skills you can have. It’s a process of evaluating risks and opportunities, gathering information, and taking action after carefully analyzing and examining the available options and the given circumstances.

Decision-making is an important skill set in any job role. It is a common belief that making decisions is necessary for only the higher management in an organization. Decision-making skills are traits that appeal the most to recruiters and are the requirement of virtually every job.

Employees who can make good decisions work effectively in large, complex organizations, subject to constantly changing business environments. The ability to make decisions helps efficiency, organizational growth and contributes to the success of the company.

That’s why is important to show on your resume your abilities to make decisions. More specifically if the position you are applying for clearly describes the working environment as fast-paced, dynamic, or quickly changing.

Let's take a look, what good decision-making skills are and how to present them on your resume.

Making good decisions is all about your ability to choose the best option from several while considering the situation and the circumstances. A good decision-maker has critical thinking and knowledge to determine the best solution for a problem or difficult situation. Here are a list whit decision-making skills:

• Analytical Skills are the ability to determine the best solution for a problem or difficult situation. That means that you can quickly define the issues that may affect the outcome of a decision.
• Problem-solving: To determine the source of a problem and find an effective solution is one of the important traits of a good decision-maker.
• Logical reasoning is your ability to use your logical thinking and facts to make a relevant decision. Take into account all pros and cons of each possible step with real logical thinking.
• Planning helps you to develop a strategy to accomplish your goals. You can see all the steps to achieve your objectives and possible issues that may arise. This way, you can quickly define the problems and adjust your decision accordingly.
• Collaboration Skills: You need to work well with your co-workers. To come to a decision, sometimes you will need to get the input of others. It’s important to know when decisions need collaboration from your team. Communicating your ideas and welcoming feedback are keys to a collaborative environment and reaching the best decision.

How to demonstrate decision-making skills on your resume

• Provide examples of your decision-making skills.
• Show your ability to evaluate risks and opportunities and make the best decisions to achieve the company's goals.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to analyze problems.
• Demonstrate an ability to perform and communicate
• Show that you use the most penetrating and objective evaluations to arrive at decisions.

Example 1: Demonstrate decision-making skills in the experience section

• • Successfully improved the bottom line by implementing strategic decisions for new cost-cutting measures to reduce the expenses by 20%.
• • Increased the customer satisfaction rate by 33% by refining the customer service.
• • Increased the company revenue by 22% during the first year of employment.
• • Developed and oversaw marketing strategies for successfully attracting new clients and boosting sales by 15%.

This example shows that this Business Development Executive has strong decision-making skills by proving that they strengthen the company's market share and maximize the business performance. They communicate the ability to determine a problem, evaluate it, and make a series of decisions to improve the organization's expenses.

Refining customer service exhibits their collaboration skills by communicating ideas and getting the input of others to come to a decision.

The provided examples show significant experience with specific achievements, demonstrate strong skills for good decision-maker.

Example 2: Demonstrate decision-making skills in the resume summary section

Give a brief overview of your decision-making skills and experience on your resume to give value to what you offer. You need to make sure your resume gets the recruiter’s attention.

Highlight the specifics important for the position that you are applying for.

This summary statement projects confidence and expertise in making decisions. It is proof that they are professionals with years of experience. They understand the process of decision-making and are capable of making adjustments in each step of the execution.

Example 3: Show your decision-making skills in your achievements sections

Demonstrate your career growth and expertise by highlighting your decision-making skills in the achievements' section on your resume.

These examples exhibit key performance indicators like leadership and organizational skills. This shows their ability to make decisions with a positive impact on the organization.

Presenting your accomplishments gives the recruiter a bigger picture of you and your skillset.

• Employers want to hire employees they can count on to make various decisions daily. Decision-making skills are a requirement of virtually every job and are very important to show them on a resume.
• Demonstrate confidence and expertise in making decisions.
• Choose the right skills needed to make decisions. Don’t forget to show how you apply these skills in your work by giving examples in your summary and achievements section. Try to emphasize your decision-making skills on your resume.

• Resume Skills

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16 essential strategies to improve your decision-making skills.

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A decision-maker within a business doesn't have the luxury of indecision. With each pause in making critical decisions, the risk of issues arising increases. Executives in companies therefore need to hone their decision-making abilities. Like a blade, well-honed decision-making skills can put a sharp end to problems before they show up.

But how can executives find effective ways of increasing their ability to make split-second decisions? How does an executive anticipate what those decisions will entail? To help leaders who seem to be struggling, 16 members of Forbes Coaches Council offer their thoughts on how decision-makers can sharpen their skills, and explain why their approaches are valid.

Members of Forbes Coaches Council detail ways leaders can improve their decision-making process.

1. Determine What's In It For You

Indecision has to do with how we manage our self-interests and attachments to people, as well as memories of events and experiences. Start by determining what’s in it for you. Recognize your emotional attachment to the people involved in the situation. Name what past memory is triggered by the current situation. Work with a trusted partner to put in place safeguards and build with what is observable. - Mirella De Civita, Ph.D., PCC, MCEC , Papillon MDC Inc.

2. Listen To Your Three Brains

Yes, you have three. We all do. Your cephalic (head) brain is best for reasoned problem-solving, decision making, creativity and empathy. The cardiac (heart) brain is the seat of passion, compassion and values. The enteric (gut) brain is home to courage, self-protection and who you are at your core. Listen to all three brains. Which one should guide this decision? - Brian Gorman , TransformingLives.Coach

3. Take The 12-Step Approach

The 12 steps are a battle-tested approach to manage the unmanageable and lead through a hellacious time. By learning to apply these life-changing principles, we find wisdom in acceptance, strength in honesty and courage in the face of chaos. We embrace progress, not perfection. We learn that gratitude and connection are superpowers. We go within to discover wisdom and reach out to connect. - Karen J Hardwick, MDiv., MSW , Karen J Hardwick Inc.

4. Pressure-Test The Cost Of No Decision

It's easy to look at the upside or downside of making a decision, but we frequently neglect to do an equivalent analysis of making no decision. This additional analysis may help determine the timing of a decision and the crucial inflection point that turns a wait-and-see situation into a call to action. Without this situational pressure testing, your decision calculus is literally half-baked. - Jim Vaselopulos , Rafti Advisors, LLC

5. Put Stakeholders First

The most ineffective crisis response begins with some form of "what should we do?" That creates a self-referential and self-protective mindset. Rather, think of stakeholders and ask, "What would reasonable people among those who matter to us consider appropriate for a responsible leader to do?" This gets to smarter decisions sooner. - Helio Fred Garcia , Logos Consulting Group

6. Apply The Rule Of Ten

While you think you are being objective, many decisions are driven by emotions. By applying the rule of ten, you can strive to be more objective. When pondering a decision, ask yourself, where will we be with this decision in 10 days, 10 months and 10 years. Then ask yourself, how you will feel about this decision. Acknowledging and checking in with your emotions is also important. - Melinda Fouts, Ph.D. , Success Starts With You

7. Designate An Antagonist

Make it someone's job or additional duty to create strong counter-arguments for every decision you make. Their only function is to overturn the decision, not to come up with a better one. This third-party critique is terrific for seeing problems from different angles, and it's a real boost for the person you select—imagine how much they learn about executive decision-making in that role. - Tom Kolditz , Doerr Institute for New Leaders

8. Know Your Formula

The best strategy for making decisions as a leader or leadership team is to have a formula, road map or matrix through which you make your decisions. Implementing processes and procedures when faced with a decision places guard rails around your company. Put these decision-making formulas into place and follow them. It’ll keep that enemy of productivity—indecision—at bay. - Jon Dwoskin , The Jon Dwoskin Experience

9. Clarify Goals Regularly And Just Do It

Executives can enhance their decision-making skills by clarifying their priorities and what they want to get accomplished at the beginning of the year, every quarter, every month and every week. Clear goals followed by the clarity of when the goals need to be delivered on paper can make a difference. If anyone has a problem in terms of action then they need to practice the "Just Do It" of Nike. - Lyne Desormeaux, PsyD, MCC , Desormeaux Leadership Consulting

10. Check Your Biases

Decisive decision making is a key leadership characteristic, but sometimes, when time pressures are high and available information is limited, leaders rely too much on their gut as a decision-making shortcut. While leaders need to tune into their intuition, they also need to critically self-reflect and realize that sometimes “acting on your gut” really means being driven by your personal biases. - Jonathan H. Westover, Ph.D , Utah Valley University & Human Capital Innovations, LLC

11. Get The Right People Involved

Especially difficult decisions may cause leaders to take a long time to turn thinking into action. Balancing urgency and thoughtfulness is a must. The best leaders know how to include the right stakeholders to ensure that the decision is right. This does not mean consulting with everybody. It means being purposeful about whose perspective will enhance the quality of the decision. - Edyta Pacuk , MarchFifteen Consulting Inc.

12. Identify The "Who" And "Why"

Enhance your decision making by deciding who is involved and why. If your decision affects many people, then a group decision uncovers perspectives that can be voted upon. If your decision requires expertise that you don't have, then a consultative decision can generate new viewpoints. Lastly, there is the autocratic decision, often used in emergencies or when you should have the final say. - Rita Coco , Rita Coco Consulting

13. Forget Perfection

Everyone wants to make the right decision. The truth is, there are many good decisions and some bad ones. There is rarely the right decision. Stop focusing on getting it exactly right. You can always make adjustments later. Focus more on buy-in and execution. Teams and companies that execute decisions well outperform those that don't. Period. - Brad Federman , PerformancePoint LLC

14. Set A Short Deadline

The longer we take to make a decision, the harder it can get, potentially leading to second-guessing ourselves. Set a short deadline to make the decision and be specific about the date and time. Then use the time in between to gather the relevant data to support your decision. This is a practice. The more you do it, the easier and more natural it becomes. - Frances McIntosh , Intentional Coaching LLC

15. Use Your Values And Vision As A Filter

When faced with a difficult decision, always go back to the values and vision of your organization. These values should be a guidepost and filter for every decision you need to make. And realize that you are going to be wrong sometimes, and that’s OK—just learn a lesson from any failure. - Aaron Levy , Raise The Bar

16. Create A Virtual Board Of Directors

Indecision is costly at any time, and especially in a crisis. Time is of the essence, uncertainty is high and ramifications of unintended consequences can be amplified. Virtual decision support technologies enable leaders to tap into their full spectrum of trusted advisers in a structured and collaborative way. Create a virtual board of directors and explore alignment, as well as divergent views. - April Armstrong , AHA Insight

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7 critical thinking skills with examples

Critical thinking: you might have seen it listed in job ads or heard people talking about the importance of critical thinking. But what's critical thinking? And how do you go about adjusting the way you think about things to become less emotional, and more critical? 

That’s a lot of questions, but this guide has the answers. Below, we’ll break down the complex concept of critical thinking into simpler chunks, as well as providing examples of critical thinking in action. By the end, you’ll have a much clearer picture of what critical thinking is and how it can help you grow in your career and personal life. 

• What is critical thinking?
• 7 critical thinking skills in practice 

Examples of critical thinking

• 5 benefits of developing critical thinking skills

5 barriers to critical thinking

How to improve critical thinking skills , tools and techniques for critical thinking .

• Benefits of a workplace culture that encourages critical thinking 
• The future of critical thinking  

What is critical thinking? 

Let’s start with a simple definition of critical thinking to understand what it is and the basics of how it works. Critical thinking is simply a way of looking at things in a more rational, logical way.  

Usually, when faced with a situation, decision or dilemma, you might let your emotions, biases and other factors get involved in the thinking process. That’s completely natural. We all have our own ways of thinking about things and looking at the world. 

But, if you’ve ever wanted to see things differently with a clearer mind, free of emotions and biases, that’s what critical thinking is all about. 

Thinking critically is about quieting those emotions that might impact your decision-making. It’s  about looking at a situation or problem from rational angles, analysing all the information available and coming to a logical conclusion. 

Here are six steps to critical thinking: 

• Analysis: The gathering and understanding of data and information. 
• Interpretation:  Drawing out meaning from the available data. 
• Inference:  The ability to make conclusions based on the data analysed. 
• Explanation: Being able to communicate one’s conclusions and findings with others. 
• Evaluation:  Questioning the conclusions and looking at other angles and possibilities. 
• Self-regulation: Understanding how one’s own biases may impact the process. 

7 critical thinking skills in practice

What are some different critical thinking skills? What does it look like when you put these skills into practice at work? Here are some of the ways in which critical thinking can manifest in the workplace: 

1. Decision-making processes 

Critical thinking is useful for making workplace decisions in a fair way. For example, who to hire for a certain role or whether to take one job over another. 

2. Conflict resolution 

Critical thinking can also be very useful when you’re dealing with challenging situations with colleagues or your manager. Rather than making emotional or biassed decisions, you can think about how to resolve the issues in the fairest and most reasonable way.  

3. Innovation 

Critical thinking can also be a driving force for innovation. When you think about problems critically, you may come across unique solutions you might not have otherwise discovered. 

4. Evaluating information 

Critical thinking at work can help you evaluate complex data and information. It can help you make well-informed decisions, identify potential risks and develop solutions around strategy, project management and problem-solving. 

5. Making informed decisions 

Critical thinking helps you gather and analyse relevant data and consider various perspectives. It allows you to weigh the pros and cons before arriving at a well-informed decision. So, whether you’re in a leadership role or part of a team, these critical thinking skills can help you make informed decisions:  

6. Problem-solving 

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills can help you achieve your business objectives. It allows you to break down tough challenges and figure out what's really causing the issue. You’re able to come up with creative fixes and make decisions that work. Ultimately, keeping things efficient and effective. 

7. Communication 

Critical thinking can also make you a more effective communicator with those around you. You’re able to become a better listener and build your understanding of other people’s views and personalities. It may lead to better and happier friendships and relationships. 

One of the best ways to see the benefits of critical thinking is when you’re faced with a problem. When you come up against some sort of challenge, you might find yourself stumped or struggling to find the right solution. 

That’s all normal and natural, and critical thinking can help you approach challenges and problems more confidently. You’ll be able to see those kinds of situations from new angles revealing previously unseen solutions along the way. 

Example : Suppose you're in an interview and faced with a challenging question about your weaknesses. Instead of avoiding the question, apply critical thinking to identify a genuine weakness. Explain your strategies for improvement, showcase your self-awareness and commitment to growth. 

Examples of critical thinking in decision-making 

Decision-making. It can be hard. You might struggle when weighing up the pros, cons and potential outcomes of one decision or the other. If you feel that way, then critical thinking could help. 

When you apply critical thinking to a big decision, you cut out all the noise and emotion , leaving nothing but the facts and stats. These skills allow you to analyse situations fairly and logically, reaching smart, sensible conclusions with the best potential outcomes. 

Example: Imagine you have multiple job offers on the table. By applying critical thinking, you can carefully assess each offer by considering factors like company culture, growth and opportunities. Also, you could consider things like job responsibilities, and alignment with your long-term career goals. 

Examples of critical thinking in creativity 

Creativity is all about letting your imagination loose and thinking outside the box. It might not seem like critical thinking can help, but in action critical thinking can be the key to helping you unlock more of your imaginative potential. You might discover insights and ideas you wouldn’t have thought of without it. 

There are several creative critical thinking techniques, like mind maps and brainstorms, that you can use in many situations. When brainstorming, try to see a situation from lots of angles. Think about a situation in different ways to come up with related ideas, which is one of the cornerstones of critical thinking. 

Example: Imagine you’re a teacher trying to think of a new lesson plan to teach kids about a difficult subject. If you rely solely on your experiences and favourite systems, you may struggle to think of anything new. But, by thinking critically, you can explore new ways to approach the subject and teach it to your class. 

Examples of critical thinking in communication 

Communication is another area where critical thinking can make a massive difference. When you let your emotions influence what you say, you might end up saying something you don’t mean. If you’ve ever felt like your mood has influenced discussions with colleagues or people outside work, critical thinking could help. 

It helps you to focus more clearly and have more productive, pleasant conversations with others. It’s also helpful to apply critical thinking if you have a disagreement with someone or simply have differing ideas. It can help you see things from their perspective. 

Example: Let’s say that two members of your team are arguing about which one of their solutions to a problem is best. With critical thinking, you can put your opinions to the side and help to resolve the conflict in a rational and level-headed way. 

Examples of critical thinking in analysis and evaluation 

Analysing and evaluating information is an important part of everyday life. You might be given information that you need to process. But naturally you have biases that may prevent you from independently assessing the data you receive. 

Critical thinking can help you see information in a different light, absorbing it in a rational and logical way. It'll allow you to allow you to evaluate it based purely on facts, rather than bias or preconception. 

Example:  Imagine you just got assigned a new task at work with a technology you haven’t used before. It’s easy to be overwhelmed, but by thinking critically and analysing the relevant instructions, you can set up a clear plan of action. This will help you become better prepared to tackle the challenge of learning something new. 

Examples of critical thinking in self-reflection 

Another important aspect of critical thinking is being able to reflect on your own thoughts, actions and beliefs. It’s important to question the motives and origins of certain ideas or biases that may be present and could be affecting your decision-making. Through critical introspection, you may uncover biases you were unaware of and can then take actions to improve your future actions or reactions. 

Example: Imagine you're reflecting on your recent job performance. Instead of simply accepting your accomplishments at face value, you apply critical thinking. You assess not only what you achieved but also how you achieved it. You question whether there were missed opportunities for improvement, and you identify areas where you can further develop your skills. 

5 benefits of developing critical thinking skills 

So, why might you want to focus on improving your critical thinking capability through critical thinking exercises? Because it can offer an array of unique benefits, making you a more productive and overall happier person at work . Some of the benefits of critical thinking are: 

Improved decision making: Critical thinking can help you make more informed decisions. Rather than rushing to hasty calls or letting your emotions and other factors cloud your judgement. 

Enhanced problem-solving skills: When you’re able to think critically about things, you can become a much more effective problem solver. You’ll be able to see problems from different angles, gathering information effectively to arrive at a logical solution. 

Improved communication skills: Often, emotions and biases can negatively impact our communications with the people around us. But, with a critical thinking approach, it’s much easier to communicate clearly and effectively, even with those who have different views. 

Better understanding of different perspectives: A big part of becoming a critical thinker is becoming a better listener. It can be hugely helpful in starting to understand and accept other ways of looking at things. 

Increased creativity: Critical thinking can also be helpful for creativity . When looking at problems and situations rationally and analysing information, you might often come across unique and creative ideas you hadn’t previously imagined. 

Critical thinking isn’t always easy to practise and you might find you encounter a range of barriers when trying to approach problems critically: 

1. Personal biases and prejudices 

Personal bias is the number one barrier to critical thinking, and it can be very hard to avoid. When thinking about a problem or trying to make decisions, especially involving other people, our opinions and biases can impact our view. 

2. Emotional influences 

Emotions can also get in the way when trying to think critically. It’s simply a part of human nature, and it’s very difficult to try to 'switch your feelings off'. It can be challenging to make a rational, logical decision in certain circumstances. But, by improving your critical thinking skills, you can learn to detach emotions from decision making. 

3. Lack of knowledge and understanding 

In some cases, a simple lack of knowledge can make you unable to approach a situation in a balanced and rational way. 

4. External pressures 

There may also be external factors beyond our control which influence the decisions you make and the way you think about things. For example, deadlines or the opinions of stakeholders and decision-makers. 

5. Lack of time 

Sometimes, a simple lack of time is all that’s needed to interfere with the critical thinking process. It takes time to look at things critically and gather information. 

Once you’ve got the basics of critical thinking skills, there are still many ways to improve them over time. So, how can you develop critical thinking skills further? The main way to improve is through understanding what critical thinking involves. It’s about using your skills as much as possible in many aspects of everyday life, including work and personal life. 

When you face a problem or situation, make the choice to think about it critically, rather than simply acting on instinct or making emotional decisions.  

Reflect, analyse different viewpoints and question assumptions or ideas that might be influencing your train of thought. With time and repetition, it’s possible to hone your critical thinking abilities. Here are three important tips to further develop critical thinking: 

Active listening  

If you’re eager to start working on your own critical thinking skills, a good way to get started is to become a more attentive listener. Don’t just hear what people are saying - listen to understand, considering the why and how behind their words, ideas and opinions. Ask questions to get more data, and challenge assumptions or misconceptions. 

Practise mindfulness 

Take time to consider your approach. From the words you say to the actions you take, to the behaviour and opinions of those around you. By focusing more on these different aspects, rather than simply letting them pass you by, you can start to master the basics of critical thinking. 

Be patient 

When dealing with a difficult situation, like a challenge at work or a relationship issue, try to apply the fundamentals of critical thinking. Be patient. Don’t rush to a conclusion or decision. Think carefully and deliberately to reach a decision that seems fair. 

It’s also important to remember that critical thinking takes time to develop and practise. Becoming a good critical thinker is a continuous process of learning and development, requiring constant commitment and the ability to self-regulate and self-evaluate.

There are various useful tools and methods that can help you put critical thinking processes and concepts into action, including: 

SWOT analysis 

SWOT stands for strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. A SWOT analysis is when you take those factors into account to come to a fair assessment of the situation. It's often a useful way to evaluate how well a project is performing and where it can be improved. 

Fishbone diagram 

A fishbone diagram is a useful tool that can help you visualise a problem and learn about its causes. It makes it easier to find a solution. The 'fishbone' name comes from the fact that the diagram involves a central line with adjoining lines and arrows coming off either side. These represent various factors that contribute to the problem or situation, making the final diagram look like a fish skeleton. 

Mind mapping 

Mind mapping is another kind of diagram that can be useful for visualising situations and extrapolating information about a given subject or problem. Start with the main subject in the centre, and then branch off with connected thoughts and considerations. You can also think about adding sub-topics and notes, resulting in a 'map' of the situation. 

Cost-benefit analysis  

A cost-benefit analysis is another handy technique that many businesses use when trying to make decisions. It has a lot in common with critical thinking, as it's all about taking in information and making rational conclusions based on the available data.  

As the name implies, a cost-benefit analysis focuses on measuring how much a decision or action will cost and what benefits it can provide. You can then analyse that information to determine if the decision offers good value and makes sense or not. 

Decision trees 

A decision tree is a simple framework in which you write down a potential decision and then branch off from it. It allows you to imagine what would happen based on various decisions.  

Decision trees can help you visualise the prospective consequences of every decision, giving you the information to make the best possible choice. 

Benefits of a workplace culture that encourages critical thinking

It can be hugely beneficial to be part of a workplace that encourages critical thinking as part of the culture. It can lead to many advantages, including: 

Improved decision-making: When critical thinking is part of the culture, employees are more likely to think carefully about big decisions and make the smartest calls. 

Increased innovation and creativity:  Critical thinking skills can also help you develop innovation and creativity. They encourage outside-the-box thinking, rather than restricting your own biases and limitations. 

Better problem solving: One of the best benefits of critical thinking in the workplace is how it can help you solve problems more effectively. You’re able to take all the necessary info into account to arrive at a sensible and efficient solution. 

Higher employee engagement and job satisfaction : When you’re encouraged to think critically, you’re more likely to engage at work and happier overall. 

The future of critical thinking

As the world changes and new technologies emerge, the concept of critical thinking could change in the years to come. There's a concern among various experts in the field of AI that the proliferation of AI could give people weaker critical thinking skills. As people grow to rely on technological tools like AI bots to solve problems and make decisions for you. 

It could be particularly impactful on children and younger generations. Children grow up in a world with so many technological tools and services to help with almost every aspect of their lives. But even if critical thinking becomes trickier to learn in the future, it'll still be a very valuable and useful skill for all. 

There's no doubt that critical and creative thinking skills are important in any workplace. These skills allow you to think about problems in the most fair and reasonable way, making the logical and rational conclusions. These skills can be perfect for problem-solving and dealing with big and tricky decisions.  

If you’re wanting to improve the way you deal with everyday situations in a more logical way, then applying critical thinking skills is a great practise.  

What are the top 5 critical thinking skills?

Critical thinking involves a range of different skills that can be applied to various situations. Here are 5 critical thinking skills: decision-making, conflict resolution, innovation, evaluating information and making informed decisions 

What makes a person a critical thinker? 

Critical thinkers have the ability to look at situations in an objective and rational way. They can analyse available data to draw logical conclusions, without letting their own biases interfere. They are able to make rational, logical decisions and solve problems fairly. 

How can I improve my critical thinking skills?  

There are many ways to work on your critical thinking skills. Practise is key, and skills can improve with repetition. Start by approaching problems and decisions in more rational ways. Clear your mind of biases and focus purely on the facts and information available to you. 

What is a good example of critical thinking?

An example of a critical thinking decision in everyday life might be trying to find a new job. You can carry out research and read company reviews. You can also source varying job descriptions and look at specifications like the salary to make the right choice for you. Other examples include deciding on diet and lifestyle factors, buying big purchases or solving problems at home. 

What are the most common barriers to critical thinking, and how can I overcome them?  

The main barriers to critical thinking are personal or shared biases, emotions and preconceptions. Through your experiences and interactions with other people, you may develop certain ideas or notions that can impact your thinking and decision-making abilities. Emotions like fear or social pressure can also obstruct critical thinking. Overcoming these barriers involves practise and the ability to free your mind of biases. 

How can critical thinking skills benefit my career development?  

Many employers value critical thinking skills. By using them effectively in the workplace, you may find it easier to deal with difficult colleagues and add value to your company.  

How can I encourage my colleagues to develop their critical thinking skills?  

A good way is to lead by example. Demonstrate logical and rational thinking to solve problems. You can pull out resources like fishbone diagrams or mind-mapping, where people may feel inspired to follow your approach.  

Are there any industries or job roles where critical thinking skills are particularly important?  

Industries including Education and Science are particularly reliant on critical thinking, along with Healthcare, Engineering and Finance, but this skill can be valuable in almost any line of work. 

What are some common misconceptions about critical thinking?  

You might believe that critical thinking has little practical use, or that it's only useful in settings like scientific research and education. But, having an open and analytical mind can be hugely beneficial in many industries and situations. 

How can I measure my progress in developing my critical thinking skills? 

A good way to measure your critical thinking skills is to think critically about where you’ve used them and the improvements you’ve seen. Consider problems they’ve helped you solve, and the impacts of the decisions you made through critical thinking. You could also ask for feedback from the people around you.  

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Enhancing Leadership Through Soft Skills

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, leaders are discovering that the key to success lies not only in technical expertise, but also in the development of soft skills. These essential qualities, such as effective communication, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving abilities, are becoming increasingly vital for leaders to navigate challenges and inspire their teams.

Meet James Whittaker, an entrepreneur who embodies the ‘Win the Day’ mentality, showing that perseverance and determination can lead to great achievements.

Join us as we explore the transformative power of soft skills in enhancing leadership and driving innovation.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Improving soft skills enhances leadership abilities
• Communication skills are essential for effective leadership
• Developing emotional intelligence helps leaders understand and connect with their team
• Problem-solving skills enable leaders to find creative solutions

The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Developing emotional intelligence helps leaders understand and connect with their team, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness in leadership roles.

One key aspect of emotional intelligence is empathy, which plays a crucial role in effective leadership. By empathizing with their team members, leaders can better understand their needs, concerns, and perspectives. This allows them to build trust and collaboration within their leadership.

When leaders demonstrate empathy, they create a supportive and inclusive environment where team members feel valued and heard. This not only boosts morale but also encourages open communication and teamwork.

Empathy also helps leaders make more informed decisions by considering the impact on their team members.

Overall, emotional intelligence and empathy are essential tools for leaders to build strong relationships, foster trust, and drive collaboration within their teams.

Developing Effective Communication Skills for Leaders

Improving their communication skills allows leaders to effectively connect and convey their messages to their team. To enhance their communication abilities, leaders can utilize active listening techniques, which involve fully focusing on and understanding what others are saying. This promotes better understanding and collaboration within the team.

Additionally, leaders can overcome communication barriers by being aware of potential obstacles such as language barriers, cultural differences, and personal biases. By actively addressing and finding solutions to these barriers, leaders can foster an inclusive and open communication environment.

Effective communication is essential for innovative leadership as it enables leaders to share their vision, inspire their team, and drive positive change. By continuously developing their communication skills, leaders can create a cohesive and high-performing team that thrives on innovation and success.

Problem-Solving Strategies for Strong Leadership

Leaders can effectively solve problems by utilizing critical thinking skills and seeking innovative solutions. Problem-solving techniques are crucial for leadership development, as they enable leaders to tackle challenges head-on and find effective resolutions.

Effective problem-solving involves analyzing the situation, identifying the root cause, and brainstorming creative solutions. Leaders who prioritize problem-solving skills foster a culture of innovation and encourage their team members to think outside the box. They understand the importance of continuous learning and encourage their team to develop their problem-solving abilities.

By embracing problem-solving strategies, leaders can navigate complex situations with confidence and guide their team towards success. They demonstrate adaptability and resilience in the face of adversity, setting a positive example for their organization.

Overall, problem-solving skills are essential for strong leadership and driving innovation in today’s rapidly changing business landscape.

Navigating Change and Adapting as a Leader

Navigating change and adapting as a leader requires flexibility and resilience in order to successfully navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing business environment. To thrive in uncertainty, leaders must possess the following key skills:

Adapting to Change: Effective leaders understand that change is inevitable and embrace it as an opportunity for growth. They are open-minded, willing to learn new skills, and can quickly adjust their strategies to align with shifting circumstances.

Leading Through Uncertainty: Leaders who can inspire and motivate their teams during times of uncertainty are essential. They provide clarity, communicate effectively, and instill confidence in their employees, helping them navigate ambiguity with confidence and purpose.

Embracing Innovation: In a rapidly evolving business landscape, leaders must encourage innovation and embrace new ideas. They foster a culture of creativity, encourage risk-taking, and continuously seek out opportunities for improvement and growth.

The Role of Empathy in Effective Leadership

Developing empathy allows leaders to understand and connect with their team on a deeper level, fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment.

Empathy driven leadership approaches recognize the importance of emotional intelligence and its impact on team dynamics. By actively listening, putting themselves in others’ shoes, and understanding the unique perspectives and experiences of team members, leaders can build strong teams that feel valued and understood.

Empathy serves as a tool for building strong teams by creating an atmosphere of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect. It allows leaders to effectively communicate and address the needs of their team members, resulting in increased productivity, engagement, and overall success.

In an innovative and forward-thinking workplace, empathy is not just a nice-to-have trait, but an essential quality for leaders to cultivate.

Building Trust and Collaboration Within Leadership

Building trust and collaboration within a leadership team is essential for fostering a positive and cohesive work environment. To achieve this, leaders must prioritize certain actions and strategies:

Open and Transparent Communication: Leaders should encourage open and honest communication among team members. This creates a sense of trust and allows for effective collaboration.

Empowering Team Members: Leaders should empower their team members by delegating tasks and giving them autonomy. This fosters collaboration as team members feel valued and are more likely to contribute their ideas and expertise.

Building Relationships: Leaders should invest time and effort into building strong relationships with their team members. This includes getting to know them on a personal level and showing genuine interest in their growth and development. Trust is built when team members feel supported by their leader.

The Power of Self-Awareness in Leadership Development

In building trust and collaboration within leadership, self-awareness plays a crucial role in leadership development. Self-reflection is an essential tool that allows leaders to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and areas for growth.

By being self-aware, leaders can better recognize and manage their emotions, leading to improved emotional intelligence. This connection between self-awareness and emotional intelligence enables leaders to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, make more informed decisions, and foster positive relationships with their team.

Self-awareness also helps leaders identify their values, purpose, and align their actions accordingly. By regularly engaging in self-reflection, leaders can continuously evolve, learn from their experiences, and adapt their leadership style to meet the needs of their team and organization.

Ultimately, self-awareness empowers leaders to be more effective, empathetic, and innovative in their leadership approach.

Enhancing Decision-Making Skills for Effective Leadership

Improving decision-making skills empowers leaders to make informed choices and drive effective outcomes. To enhance critical thinking skills and decision-making techniques, leaders can implement the following strategies:

Seek diverse perspectives: Encouraging different viewpoints fosters innovative thinking and prevents groupthink. Leaders can gather input from team members with varied backgrounds and experiences to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Utilize data-driven analysis: Making decisions based on data and evidence minimizes bias and increases the likelihood of successful outcomes. Leaders should gather and analyze relevant information to make informed choices that align with organizational goals.

Embrace experimentation: Taking calculated risks and learning from failures promotes growth and innovation. Leaders can adopt an experimental mindset, testing and iterating ideas to uncover creative solutions and drive continuous improvement.

Cultivating Resilience and Perseverance in Leadership

Cultivating resilience and perseverance enables leaders to overcome challenges and achieve long-term success in their endeavors. Building mental resilience is crucial for leaders to navigate obstacles and maintain a positive mindset. Overcoming obstacles requires a combination of mental strength, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.

Leaders who possess these qualities are better equipped to handle setbacks and find innovative solutions. By developing resilience, leaders can bounce back from failure, learn from their experiences, and continue to progress towards their goals. They understand that obstacles are inevitable, but they choose to view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

Through perseverance, leaders demonstrate determination and dedication, inspiring their teams to push through adversity and reach new heights of success.

Fostering Creativity and Innovation in Leadership

Fostering creativity and innovation allows leaders to think outside the box and generate fresh ideas that propel their teams and organizations forward. Here are three ways leaders can promote creativity and innovation:

Create a supportive environment: Leaders should encourage open communication, brainstorming sessions, and the sharing of ideas. By fostering a safe and collaborative space, team members are more likely to feel comfortable expressing their innovative thoughts.

Embrace diversity: Diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences can lead to a wider range of ideas and insights. Leaders should actively seek diverse perspectives and encourage inclusion to promote creativity and innovation within their teams.

Encourage experimentation and risk-taking: Innovation often requires taking risks and trying new approaches. Leaders should give their teams the freedom to experiment, learn from failures, and take calculated risks in order to foster a culture of innovation.

The Impact of Soft Skills on Organizational Leadership Success

Effective leaders understand that the impact of strong soft skills on organizational success cannot be underestimated. Soft skills, such as empathy and fostering creativity, play a crucial role in leadership development.

Empathy allows leaders to understand and connect with their team members on a deeper level, fostering trust and collaboration. By demonstrating empathy, leaders create a positive and inclusive work environment that promotes creativity, innovation, and problem-solving. In turn, this leads to increased employee engagement, productivity, and ultimately, organizational success.

Effective leaders also recognize the importance of fostering creativity within their teams. They encourage open communication, value diverse perspectives, and create a safe space for experimentation and risk-taking. By nurturing creativity, leaders inspire their team members to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and drive innovation within the organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can leaders develop emotional intelligence.

Leaders can develop emotional intelligence by developing self-awareness and building meaningful relationships. Self-awareness helps leaders understand their own emotions, while building relationships allows them to empathize with others and effectively manage their emotions.

What Are Some Effective Communication Techniques for Leaders?

Effective communication techniques for leaders include active listening, which allows them to fully understand others’ perspectives, and nonverbal communication, such as body language and gestures, to convey messages clearly and build rapport.

How Can Leaders Enhance Their Problem-Solving Abilities?

Leaders can enhance their problem-solving abilities by developing critical thinking skills and building a growth mindset. These skills allow leaders to approach challenges with creativity and adaptability, fostering innovative solutions for their teams and organizations.

What Strategies Can Leaders Use to Navigate and Adapt to Change?

Leaders can navigate and adapt to change through effective change management techniques. They need to develop flexibility and adaptability skills to thrive in dynamic environments. Being open-minded and embracing innovation are key strategies for successful leadership in times of change.

How Does Empathy Contribute to Effective Leadership?

Empathy in decision making and building relationships is essential for effective leadership. It allows leaders to understand and connect with their team, making informed choices and fostering a positive work environment.

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