Develop a solutions-oriented culture for your team
norms are shifting.
[Management Tip of the Day]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a28d&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&s=Xu0xtyhRSvrPr82id7EqiBWiM_VnHHVlIPaa2u0JWXE>
Today’s Tip
Develop a Solutions-Oriented Culture for Your Team
When presented with new initiatives, some teams are really good at spotting potential problems. They readily ask tough questions and point out possible risks. But a team overly focused on finding problems, rather than solving them, can be detrimental to morale and productivity. So how do you change your team’s culture to become more solutions oriented? Here are a few dos and don’ts:
Do:
* Practice what you preach. Role model the problem-solving behavior and attitude you’d like to see in your team.
* Identify a trigger word to remind team members to focus on solutions. That way, when conversations veer off course, colleagues can help get it back on track.
* Reflect on how you can create an environment that allows for both creativity and critical thinking.
Don’t:
* Ignore or discount resistance to an obstacle. Instead, explore possible solutions by asking questions.
* Go it alone. Invite a consultant or a member of a different department to attend a team meeting. They might spark new strands of conversation.
* Be stingy with compliments. Publicly acknowledging team members’ creative thinking helps increase the sense that norms are shifting.
This tip is adapted from “Is Your Team Solving Problems, or Just Identifying Them?<https://hbr.org/2021/04/is-your-team-solving-problems-or-just-identifying-them?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge,”> by Rebecca Knight
ADVERTISEMENT
[https://sli.hbr.org/imp?s=720421&li=%7bLIST_ID%7d&e=jarrazola@cste.org&p=DM128510]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a28e&p1=jarrazola%40cste.org&p2=DM128510&s=uP-JJLBdAXPaJ9bbBDKiLt6pHTEca_PHXIDOF7aNFPQ>
[https://sli.hbr.org/imp?s=720422&li=%7bLIST_ID%7d&e=jarrazola@cste.org&p=DM128510]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a28f&p1=jarrazola%40cste.org&p2=DM128510&s=FC74VWI6619Rzx-DL7yd88CymZk6a2B3m3DXilkynWw>
[https://sli.hbr.org/imp?s=720424&li=%7bLIST_ID%7d&e=jarrazola@cste.org&p=DM128510]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ea&p1=jarrazola%40cste.org&p2=DM128510&s=CK1_UW-4FKar_9r6GRgAOny5s1DFYEXMZV-SPS9T6Vo>
[https://hbr.org/resources/images/marketing/email/NewsletterPromo_DigitalArticles_Feb2021.png]<https://hbr.org/the-latest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&&term=Assessment&utm_content=signinnudge>
Business advice — always at your fingertips. <https://hbr.org/the-latest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&&term=Assessment&utm_content=signinnudge>
New digital articles are posted every week on HBR.org — and subscribers have access to them all.
Read the latest articles <https://hbr.org/the-latest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&&term=Assessment&utm_content=signinnudge>
[https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2021/04/Apr21_13_1303781802.jpg]<https://hbr.org/2021/04/to-build-a-diverse-company-for-the-long-term-develop-junior-talent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&promo=MTOD1>
Article
To Build a Diverse Company for the Long Term, Develop Junior Talent <https://hbr.org/2021/04/to-build-a-diverse-company-for-the-long-term-develop-junior-talent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&promo=MTOD1>
by Matt Sigelman and Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
Most companies overlook their greatest potential asset in creating a more diverse workplace: their own employees.
Read more <https://hbr.org/2021/04/to-build-a-diverse-company-for-the-long-term-develop-junior-talent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&promo=MTOD1>
[https://hbr.org/resources/images/marketing/email/10486_500.png]<https://store.hbr.org/product/customer-data-and-privacy-tools-for-preparing-your-team-for-the-future/10486?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&sku=10486E-KND-ENG>
Ebook
Customer Data and Privacy: Tools for Preparing Your Team for the Future <https://store.hbr.org/product/customer-data-and-privacy-tools-for-preparing-your-team-for-the-future/10486?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&sku=10486E-KND-ENG>
by Harvard Business Review, Timothy Morey, Andrew Burt, Christine Moorman, Thomas C. Redman
$49.95
Learn more <https://store.hbr.org/product/customer-data-and-privacy-tools-for-preparing-your-team-for-the-future/10486?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&sku=10486E-KND-ENG>
[triangle icon]<https://store.hbr.org/product/customer-data-and-privacy-tools-for-preparing-your-team-for-the-future/10486?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive>
Don’t forget you’re entitled to 20% off your first purchase*
*Use promo code HBRORGREG4.
View details here.<https://hbr.org/registration-details>
[twitter]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2eb&s=ybKqUVhNviy8es7PNWfuEe5L9qYBPufZ8J3nonxuQCg>
[facebook]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ec&s=o83aI7AlhdcJi6Y7OOI90GwYfeZMmEjY6ZGeCKkNVjE>
[instagram]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ed&s=f3UVNrdytXeR9YrP3WaUSFikKRU5G2bcw94EdK1UklM>
View in browser <https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ee&p1=%40DuLCMik4RA7x18jQztKcSXKAFGP6xaeA2DBsJnZeRwRq4eCShL9S-99CUAsCdOvTxJHfxE7nIDGDPHL_rxhmf-yKgMcYZl6c3aitxTCwBkBKd7tl&s=qjQIMcsqD9nD4dmUYIdh9u8MbnmqSVN8YE4yUeCEDNY>
Contact us<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ef&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&s=0LF6jG0fnqQATNQeZgVAayBO-YRyXx0XikPBmLL-MZg>
Privacy policy<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2f0&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&s=lUlQJraqIO_lBpDj61GZeG1ge_YS7yhS6jW7VOMVAvc>
Manage newsletter preferences<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2f1&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&s=Nl2wOvOnd7zSLb_mNA8fFsNunaHXLb__Hvh0W17bxjk>
Unsubscribe<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2f2&p1=%40t6p7L4VyTOGTCdqZdBCfGpvOsjDPku9z06x_xAqkXoUTyQlBAI1RCPXFUHIlRv-4bd6IUX5VvSkAlDsCcrkcKJEhxVs&s=b6DaT_cUIvPfqF6OI_rQYtyioK9fySldMgvs1iA4Dwg>
To ensure email delivery, add noreply@a.email.hbr.org<mailto:noreply@a.email.hbr.org> to your address book, contacts, or safe sender list.
Copyright © 2021 Harvard Business School Publishing,
an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved.
Harvard Business Publishing
20 Guest St, Suite 700
Brighton, MA 02135
[Management Tip of the Day]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a28d&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&s=Xu0xtyhRSvrPr82id7EqiBWiM_VnHHVlIPaa2u0JWXE>
Today’s Tip
Develop a Solutions-Oriented Culture for Your Team
When presented with new initiatives, some teams are really good at spotting potential problems. They readily ask tough questions and point out possible risks. But a team overly focused on finding problems, rather than solving them, can be detrimental to morale and productivity. So how do you change your team’s culture to become more solutions oriented? Here are a few dos and don’ts:
Do:
* Practice what you preach. Role model the problem-solving behavior and attitude you’d like to see in your team.
* Identify a trigger word to remind team members to focus on solutions. That way, when conversations veer off course, colleagues can help get it back on track.
* Reflect on how you can create an environment that allows for both creativity and critical thinking.
Don’t:
* Ignore or discount resistance to an obstacle. Instead, explore possible solutions by asking questions.
* Go it alone. Invite a consultant or a member of a different department to attend a team meeting. They might spark new strands of conversation.
* Be stingy with compliments. Publicly acknowledging team members’ creative thinking helps increase the sense that norms are shifting.
This tip is adapted from “Is Your Team Solving Problems, or Just Identifying Them?<https://hbr.org/2021/04/is-your-team-solving-problems-or-just-identifying-them?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge,”> by Rebecca Knight
ADVERTISEMENT
[https://sli.hbr.org/imp?s=720421&li=%7bLIST_ID%7d&e=jarrazola@cste.org&p=DM128510]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a28e&p1=jarrazola%40cste.org&p2=DM128510&s=uP-JJLBdAXPaJ9bbBDKiLt6pHTEca_PHXIDOF7aNFPQ>
[https://sli.hbr.org/imp?s=720422&li=%7bLIST_ID%7d&e=jarrazola@cste.org&p=DM128510]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a28f&p1=jarrazola%40cste.org&p2=DM128510&s=FC74VWI6619Rzx-DL7yd88CymZk6a2B3m3DXilkynWw>
[https://sli.hbr.org/imp?s=720424&li=%7bLIST_ID%7d&e=jarrazola@cste.org&p=DM128510]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ea&p1=jarrazola%40cste.org&p2=DM128510&s=CK1_UW-4FKar_9r6GRgAOny5s1DFYEXMZV-SPS9T6Vo>
[https://hbr.org/resources/images/marketing/email/NewsletterPromo_DigitalArticles_Feb2021.png]<https://hbr.org/the-latest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&&term=Assessment&utm_content=signinnudge>
Business advice — always at your fingertips. <https://hbr.org/the-latest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&&term=Assessment&utm_content=signinnudge>
New digital articles are posted every week on HBR.org — and subscribers have access to them all.
Read the latest articles <https://hbr.org/the-latest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&&term=Assessment&utm_content=signinnudge>
[https://hbr.org/resources/images/article_assets/2021/04/Apr21_13_1303781802.jpg]<https://hbr.org/2021/04/to-build-a-diverse-company-for-the-long-term-develop-junior-talent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&promo=MTOD1>
Article
To Build a Diverse Company for the Long Term, Develop Junior Talent <https://hbr.org/2021/04/to-build-a-diverse-company-for-the-long-term-develop-junior-talent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&promo=MTOD1>
by Matt Sigelman and Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
Most companies overlook their greatest potential asset in creating a more diverse workplace: their own employees.
Read more <https://hbr.org/2021/04/to-build-a-diverse-company-for-the-long-term-develop-junior-talent?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&promo=MTOD1>
[https://hbr.org/resources/images/marketing/email/10486_500.png]<https://store.hbr.org/product/customer-data-and-privacy-tools-for-preparing-your-team-for-the-future/10486?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&sku=10486E-KND-ENG>
Ebook
Customer Data and Privacy: Tools for Preparing Your Team for the Future <https://store.hbr.org/product/customer-data-and-privacy-tools-for-preparing-your-team-for-the-future/10486?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&sku=10486E-KND-ENG>
by Harvard Business Review, Timothy Morey, Andrew Burt, Christine Moorman, Thomas C. Redman
$49.95
Learn more <https://store.hbr.org/product/customer-data-and-privacy-tools-for-preparing-your-team-for-the-future/10486?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive&sku=10486E-KND-ENG>
[triangle icon]<https://store.hbr.org/product/customer-data-and-privacy-tools-for-preparing-your-team-for-the-future/10486?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&utm_term=subben_buyeracq_hbrlive>
Don’t forget you’re entitled to 20% off your first purchase*
*Use promo code HBRORGREG4.
View details here.<https://hbr.org/registration-details>
[twitter]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2eb&s=ybKqUVhNviy8es7PNWfuEe5L9qYBPufZ8J3nonxuQCg>
[facebook]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ec&s=o83aI7AlhdcJi6Y7OOI90GwYfeZMmEjY6ZGeCKkNVjE>
[instagram]<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ed&s=f3UVNrdytXeR9YrP3WaUSFikKRU5G2bcw94EdK1UklM>
View in browser <https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ee&p1=%40DuLCMik4RA7x18jQztKcSXKAFGP6xaeA2DBsJnZeRwRq4eCShL9S-99CUAsCdOvTxJHfxE7nIDGDPHL_rxhmf-yKgMcYZl6c3aitxTCwBkBKd7tl&s=qjQIMcsqD9nD4dmUYIdh9u8MbnmqSVN8YE4yUeCEDNY>
Contact us<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2ef&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&s=0LF6jG0fnqQATNQeZgVAayBO-YRyXx0XikPBmLL-MZg>
Privacy policy<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2f0&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&s=lUlQJraqIO_lBpDj61GZeG1ge_YS7yhS6jW7VOMVAvc>
Manage newsletter preferences<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2f1&p1=?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter_daily&utm_campaign=mtod_actsubs&utm_content=signinnudge&s=Nl2wOvOnd7zSLb_mNA8fFsNunaHXLb__Hvh0W17bxjk>
Unsubscribe<https://t.a.email.hbr.org/r/?id=h7b2c4c7e%2Ce52a28b%2Ce52a2f2&p1=%40t6p7L4VyTOGTCdqZdBCfGpvOsjDPku9z06x_xAqkXoUTyQlBAI1RCPXFUHIlRv-4bd6IUX5VvSkAlDsCcrkcKJEhxVs&s=b6DaT_cUIvPfqF6OI_rQYtyioK9fySldMgvs1iA4Dwg>
To ensure email delivery, add noreply@a.email.hbr.org<mailto:noreply@a.email.hbr.org> to your address book, contacts, or safe sender list.
Copyright © 2021 Harvard Business School Publishing,
an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved.
Harvard Business Publishing
20 Guest St, Suite 700
Brighton, MA 02135