Problem Solving

The process of working through details of a problem to reach a solution.

1)  TEAMWORK PERSONALITY ASSESSMENT

Complete the “It’s All in Your Mind” teamwork personality assessment by Kathleen Butler as printed in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey. Discuss the results.

2)  PROBLEM SOLVING PRACTICE

You work in a bakery. A customer calls fifteen minutes before she is coming in to pick up the birthday cake she ordered that morning. The cake was to be decorated for her husband’s 40th birthday, which is tonight. You find the cake has not been made. What options does the bakery staff have to solve this problem?

Write down as many solutions as possible to the problem below on the index cards—one idea per card.  Pick the three best solutions from your team.

3)  TEAMWORK ACTIVITY

Assign the following roles to your group:

1)     Runner – pick up 20 playing cards, present the findings of the Recorder

2)     Recorder – write down comments, progress, disagreements

3)     Architect – supervise the building of the structure

4)     Carpenters – build the structure

PROBLEM SOLVING TASK

Your team has 5 minutes to build a structure that has at least three stories. You may only use the cards.

DISCUSSION TOPICS

1) What attitudes and behaviors were helpful in the group’s attempts to solve the problem?

2) What attitudes and behaviors made the group less successful in working together?

3) How did teamwork come into play when building the structure with playing cards?

4) Why is it important that every member pull his/her own weight in a group project?

5) What skills can you bring to the group that will make the project a success?

List five guidelines for successful teamwork in a cooperative setting.

Discuss the five steps in the Action Plan decision-making guide as printed in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey.

1)     Define the problem.

2)     Look at the other person’s way.

3)     Think about your way.

4)     Brainstorm possible solutions to the problem.

5)     Select the best solution to the problem known as “The High Way”.

RESOURCES

Covey, Sean. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens. New York: Franklin Covey Co., 1998.