Five Key Characteristics of a Problem-Solving Employee

​As the New Year looms before us, those at your organization are no doubt hoping to hire stellar candidates and turn them into equally stellar employees in 2018. It doesn’t matter if they’re temp employees or direct employees. You just want them to be stellar . . . and who can blame you?
 
However, what is the definition of stellar? What does it mean? Well, there’s one thing that all organizations have in common: problems. They have problems that must be overcome. After all, that’s why they hire employees in the first place, to address a problem.
 
So what you need in 2018 is a staff full of problem solvers, people who can come into your organization and overcome whatever challenges they encounter. With that in mind, below are five key characteristics of a problem-solving employee:
 
#1—Positive attitude
 
Positivity lends itself to solutions. That’s because when you’re positive, you’re always thinking about why something good can happen (like the solution to a problem). When you’re negative, you’re more inclined to think about why something good will not happen. This is why having a positive attitude is on par with having a “can-do attitude.” Positivity is more likely to lead to desired results.
 
#2—Proactive
 
Proactive people tend to solve problems more quickly, or even better, prevent a problem from happening in the first place. By and large, reactive people don’t see problems developing until it’s too late. When you’re constantly in reactive mode, it’s more difficult to solve problems and more importantly, solve them quickly. Proactive people are also the first to jump into a situation and suggest solutions instead of sitting back and waiting for somebody else to take the lead.
 
#3—Critical thinker
 
This might be the most important characteristic of a problem-solving employee. They have to be a thinker. They must be able to view a situation, recognize the available options (and not just the obvious ones), plot a plan of action, and then carry out that plan. This is a very valuable soft skill that can turn an ordinary employee into a great employee with a vast amount of potential.
 
#4—Focus
 
Solving problems requires concentration. It requires not only critical thinking, but also thinking critically for an extended period of time without becoming unnecessarily distracted. Employees who have difficulty focusing on one task for very long might not be effective problem solvers. In fact, those who prefer to multi-task might also have difficulty with focusing, even though multi-tasking is generally considered to be a positive attribute.
 
#5—Patience
 
Within this context, patience is definitely a virtue. That’s because, as you well know, some problems take longer to solve than others. The solution is not always apparent, and in some cases, a trial-and-error approach is necessary to reach a resolution. A patient employee is able to tackle a complex problem and commit themselves to staying the course, regardless of perceived setbacks or additional obstacles that may pop up along the way.
 
Does your organization have problem-solving employees on staff? What is your plan for hiring more such employees in the New Year?