When the Problem is a Lack of Problem Solving Skills

I was on my porch recently watching three squirrels get the better of a bird feeder. Made for birds, the feeder was just big enough to support one squirrel if he perched on the edge of the feeder while clinging to the porch screen. It was a difficult angle, but this squirrel was making it work. When a second and third squirrel figured out what this other squirrel was doing, they wanted to join the party. The problem was - all three could not fit on the feeder tegether, no matter how hard they tried. After all three fell to the ground a couple times, one decided to stay on the ground. This third squirrel realized he could still get a belly-full of the seeds falling from the agitated bird feeder as the other two struggled for ownership of the feeder.

While the squirrel on the ground ate, the other two continued to struggle for ownership on the very thin ledge of the feeder. As they rocked the feeder back and forth, the squirrel on the ground continued to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Very quickly, one of the other two figured out that the ground position was worthwhile as well and decided on that option. By then the first squirrel had walked away - full.

The two remaining squirrels figured out they could take turns agitating the feeder to push more seeds to the ground where they could eat in relative comfort. While one agitated, the other stayed below to guard the spoils from the birds and other squirrels.

I smiled at their team work and collaboration as they enjoyed the fruits of their labor.

It was not the first time I had seen squirrels or other animals come together to solve a problem. What fascinated me was not that they did it, but the speed with which they realized -alternative solutions were necessary and available.

It seemed to me that the squirrels, in my yard at least, had mastered problem solving.

I started to wonder why more of us in the workplace don't solve problems like these squirrels just did?

How many teams have you worked on where learning to problem-solve should have been the first assignment? I have been on a few teams where individuals, completely competent on their own, failed to achieve outstanding outcomes together with team members. Many team members might not even see value in protocols for teamwork. Many want to act and act now! Many people, I find, are well meaning and want to just "jump in" since they sometimes confuse action with progress.

Many think that any result is a good result if we all just "pitch in" especially where everyone wants to show their value by appearing to be busy and active. In instances where employees view projects as high value or high visibility there is a rush to add input, regardless of the ad hoc nature of the process.

We all know the mantra -"there is no "I" in team".

Well sometimes there has to be. If you find yourself on one of these flailing teams where fuzzy input is guaranteed to bring fuzzier outputs, YOU have to put the "I' in Team.

To keep your own workplace stress under control, you may have to be the "I" that says, "We are all trying to fit on this bird feeder when we know it can only hold one of us at a time. I'll be happy to jump off. What can I do on the ground to keep the seeds safe?"