Personality Traits Which Define a Successful Problem Solver

Successful problem solvers can differentiate themselves from others because of their unique personality traits.

These individuals can think in a way that most people can’t. There must be something that differentiates them from others.

While it is possible to learn problem-solving skills over time, developing preferable traits is something that requires dedication and consistent effort.

Becoming a master of these traits is not an impossible task, but it’s not a piece of cake either. If you want to become an effective problem solver, you will have to develop the traits mentioned in this list and more.

Here are some personality traits that define a successful problem solver:

A love to face challenges.

This personality is the most important of them all. Without a love to face problems and challenges, you can’t become a master at solving problems.

Most people avoid the steep path. Taking the easier way in life is favorable for most people, but not for problem solvers.

These are the people that like to take a challenge head-on. They want to eliminate the obstacle in front of them and will go to great lengths to solve the problem at hand.

Without problem solvers, there would be no innovation in society. Stagnation of growth and prosperity would become an imminent threat without these extraordinary individuals.

Flexibility.

Flexibility is a must for problem solvers.

There are many times that we’re thinking in a certain way does no to a solution. Sometimes you have to believe in a way that allows you to incorporate more than one plausible theory into your solution process.

If you have a website for your business and want to show that your business is just as flexible as you are, then having a live chat app can do that for you and more.

Sometimes you have to be flexible and realize that the path you’re on is not going to lead you anywhere. In these kinds of situations, having a flexible disposition will allow you to jump ship before it’s too late. 

And when you think about it, problem-solvers need to be flexible. In life and in business, things are bound to change. If you feel that things are going to remain the same after a while, you might be mistaken.

Quick thinking.

Quick thinking is something that a successful problem-solver may or may not have.

The ability to generate new ideas is something that most people don’t have. Most of us are brought up in a way that prompts us to think in a certain way in a given situation.

Problem solvers that can think of new ideas and solutions, although how illogical they might seem at the time, are often the ones that bring about change. 

Quick thinking is particularly beneficial in situations where there is a strict deadline. When you are pressed for time, and a client is waiting for a project that works, you’re going to wish to have someone on the team that could think fast in high-pressure scenarios.

Pitching ideas one after the other also helps to simplify a general path that should be taken to reach a solution. This works best when several people are working towards solving the same problem.

Listening to solutions in quick succession and shooting them down if unfeasible allow people to dig deep and come up with something unique. 

In a group setting, it is often observed that the lazy people in the group won’t have an opinion of their own and will support the more popular idea that is floating around within the group.

By asking everyone to give an individual opinion, people are going to have to think on their own. And to make things even more interesting, add a time constraint.

Champion problem solvers can thrive in these scenarios. They are unafraid of being wrong, and voicing their opinions comes naturally to them.

 Teamwork.

Problem-solving is not a one-person job. While thinking of a vision is often the work of an individual, bringing it to life requires an entire team.

Successful problem solvers can collaborate effectively with other people. 

Teamwork at its surface might not seem like a difficult job for someone on the outside. But for someone who has to manage and work with a team daily, effective collaboration is an essential component to the success of the team.

Complex problems, and some seemingly simple problems, demand multiple people to put their minds together and work towards a solution. Thinking this way needs patience and the ability to listen to other people’s opinion without being offensive or degrading.

Successful problem solvers can work in teams and work effectively for the betterment of the team. They are so focused on solving the problem that they ignore any ill will that is directed towards them in the team.

If in a position of authority, these problem solvers make it a point to ensure that no one on the team is being mistreated and that everyone has a chance to raise his voice within the team meetings, discussions, and brainstorming sessions.

Decision making.

Timing is of the essence in most situations in life.

To be a successful problem-solver, you’re going to have to make the right decisions. 

There are pros and cons to taking a defensive or aggressive approach to decision making.

Being calm and collected might help you take some pressure off your team, but it might slow you down. After all, there is no guarantee that you’ll come up with a viable solution after taking the slow and steady approach.

And being fast and quick with your decisions might lead to some fast results, but it will come at an increased risk of failure.

As a problem solver, your decisions might not be impacting you alone. It will also be affecting your colleagues and your subordinates. It is best to adopt a decision-making style that creates a balance. Without proper balance, you’re bound to fall.

Leading problem solvers know the right time to make a decision. This knowledge and insight or put gut-feeling differentiate them from other people.

 Conclusion:

Successful problem solvers have several personality traits that other people don’t have.

They are flexible and can bring out the best in others. Being a problem solver is all about thinking on the spot and under pressure because that’s when the right decision is needed the most.