Don't React When Things Go Wrong: Take a Breath

     Don’t over-think or over-complicate problems and challenges and when things don't go as planned.  Leaders, officers, bosses and managers (especially the newly promoted) like to shift into analytical, algorithm mode when problems that they don’t fully understand arise. That is their first mistake.

    The second mistake made is to provide an emotional response based on the initial bits of information.  This can be anxiety, anger, yelling, blaming, fear and depression. When these emotional responses surface, the decision on how to handle the situation is based more on that emotion rather than facts and reality.  It puts the person responsible (a boss or manager) in a tough spot and in many circumstances, they end up overreacting instead of responding with a demeanor of confidence.

      It is critical that you ask the right questions and get all the facts.  That takes time and you may need to follow up with some additional questions. Most things aren’t as bad as they seem. Yeah, it can look daunting, but sit back, take a deep breath and get back to the basics of problem solving. That's why you're in the position you're in!

Here is a way to tackle these problems with confidence and purpose without reacting, but by responding to the issue at hand based on your experiences and training.

·      What is the REAL problem—not the perceived one?

·      Do I have all the facts? Get them! Ask lots of questions and take the time to dig for the right answers.

·      What is the threat of the problem? What's the worst and best case scenarios?

·      How big is the problem—is it a small group problem or an organizational problem or somewhere in between?

·      Is this a time sensitive problem or do I have time to solve it?

·      What needs to be done to keep it from getting worse right now?

·      Is this appropriate to stay at my level or should it move up the chain?

     Using these simple questions as you work to obtain the most accurate information possible with provide you with the ability to make the correct decision in mitigating the problem.  A key to this is that this will probably require you get out of the office to track this information down. 

     By using this method, most problems will be easier to handle than what you initially thought. Just don’t overreact, respond like you’ve been there before and ask for help when you need it. Of course, you may have great results with other problem solving methods, this is just an option that has worked very well and helps to keep things calm during the process.