Critical thinking, problem solving, and working well with others are necessary for employees at any level, but MIT Sloan professors Nelson Repenning and Don Kieffer, along with alumnus Todd Astor, found that leaders who can directly answer the question of “what problem are you trying to solve” will be a step ahead in the game.
According to Repenning and Kieffer, a good problem statement has five components that include:
- a reference to something the organization cares about, and connects that to a clear and specific goal.
- clear articulation of the gap between the current state and specific goal.
- measurable targets.
- neutrality toward causes and solutions.
- an achievable and appropriate scope.
“In our experience, leaders who can formulate clear problem statements get more done with less effort and move more rapidly than their less-focused counterparts,” the experts wrote in MIT Sloan Management Review. “Clear problem statements can unlock the energy and innovation that lies within those who do the core work of your organization.”
"4 things you need to know about soft skills," MIT Sloan. February 6, 2018
