Why problem solving will be your most important soft skill in 2023

Problem solving is a key skill employers seek

Problem solving is all about taking some information—a problem—and using your brain to come up with solutions or answers. It’s a mindset you need to have, a way of thinking that you should bring to every challenge you face throughout your career.
Employers want problem solvers. They’re looking for people who take initiative and are willing to do the hard work of breaking down complex problems into manageable tasks, identifying solutions, and putting them into action.

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You can get better at problem solving

What’s an example of a problem you might face? You may be working on a project with a team of other people, and you need to coordinate your efforts so that they align with the goals of the project. Or, perhaps you’re working independently but encounter an obstacle that requires creative thinking to overcome. Whatever the situation, if you don’t have solid problem-solving skills, you won’t be able to come up with effective solutions to make things move forward. It’s not enough to just know what needs to happen; you need to be able to figure out how it can happen.

The good news is that there are many ways for people to improve their problem-solving capabilities. The more often you practice this skill, the better able you’ll be at tackling problems as they arise in your work life—and as new opportunities arise that require creative thinking to capitalize on them. You can even increase your proficiency by participating in group exercises specific to practicing problem solving skills, such as escape rooms and orienteering.

The world of work is changing

In a world where technology is reshaping our workplaces and cultural institutions, problem solving will be one of the most valuable skills you can have to keep pace with these changes.

In the past decade, technology has disrupted every industry on earth. As a result, we’ve witnessed the rise of new professions and career paths that were unimaginable just a decade ago—and this pace won’t be slowing down anytime soon. The future of work will require all kinds of skills: technical know-how, creative problem solving and adaptability to change being at the top of the list.

In our increasingly complex world, it’s not enough to simply have the technical skills required for your chosen profession—you also need to understand how things work, how people think and what motivates them. And you need to be able to think outside of the box.

Critical thinkers will have an advantage in the future of work

Critical thinking is one of the soft skills that are more closely associated with problem solving. In fact, you can’t have one without the other. Critical thinking is a skill that will become increasingly important as we adapt to the future of work. Critical thinkers are able to solve problems more efficiently, make better decisions and find creative solutions to challenges. In fact, a growing number of studies show that critical thinking skills have a significant impact on your ability to succeed in any role or industry.
It’s important for people who want to succeed in their careers that require strong critical thinking skills to start developing those skills early in their learning and training process. By doing so, you’ll be able to improve your problem solving abilities and bring value within your organization.
Learning how think critically can help you tackle many aspects of your life more effectively by giving you an edge over competitors who don’t have this trait—even if they’re highly skilled in other more technical areas!

Conclusion

To survive in this ever-changing world, we’ll need to get better at seeing problems from different perspectives, preparing ourselves for challenges that haven’t happened yet, and allowing our deepest strengths and qualities to guide us even when the way forward is unclear or uncomfortable.

Would you like to hold a team building event for your employees? Call us today!