Your team is facing a major challenge. How can you lead them to success?

Pro tip : Improve your ability to recognize "Assumptions" and "Hypotheses". Assumptions in critical thinking can lead to biased reasoning and flawed conclusions if they are based on incomplete or inaccurate information. They can also limit creativity and innovation by imposing rigid constraints on thinking. Hypotheses, if not carefully formulated or tested, can result in wrong conclusions and misguided decisions. Additionally, sticking too firmly to a hypothesis can prevent individuals from considering alternative explanations or adjusting their beliefs based on new evidence.

Identifying the challenge is important in finding the best solution. However, it's in identifying the challenge you get to put the best talent or most appropriate talents on the task at hand that needs to be complete to make progress within the organization. It's not about appointing just about anyone but to get the best person or team members to do work after the challenge is identified.

- Acts as a barrier against pressure from upper levels - Disassemble the one big challenge into small challenges - Develop with the team a realistic plan and time schedule making full and optimum use of all available resources

The key word here is to "LEAD". A leader would own the issue from the start to finish. No one really respects a talking leader who cannot get their own hands dirty. This builds confidence in the people to whom follow. Identify the challenge, analyze the risk, find a solution and embrace for impact. Delegate if and when necessary, be approachable, be open to other ideas, be accountable, be respectful and most importantly be professional. Remember to always think smart, not necessarily hard.

1. Transparent communication is essential for rallying the team around a common goal and ensuring everyone understands their roles and responsibilities in overcoming the challenge. By fostering open dialogue and actively listening to team members' concerns and ideas, I can promote collaboration and maintain morale during difficult times. 2. Empowering team members by delegating tasks and responsibilities based on their strengths and expertise not only fosters a sense of ownership but also distributes workload effectively. By trusting my team members to take initiative and make decisions autonomously, I can cultivate a culture of accountability and drive innovation.

"Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought." - Albert Szent-Györgyi Emphasize the importance of research: Consistently gathering information empowers your critical thinking and increases the likelihood of making informed decisions, reducing the risk of shortcuts leading to regrettable outcomes.

Sometimes we get too caught up in the data and forget the humanity of the corporate world. While gathering the numbers for metrics is important, it's also imperative to understand everyone's mental and psychological state as this can cause issues down the line. No matter how hard we push, resting and resetting your mind is still important for everyone. Practice mindfulness.

I love this aspect because it allows for -:Staying updated on relevant publications to incorporate the latest knowledge and developments into decision-making processes. Also, it is very much essential to actively engage yourself in networking events to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and learn from others' successes and failures.

Gathering team input, often overlooked, is vital for innovative solutions. Start by creating a safe environment for open dialogue, ensuring every contribution is valued. Utilize structured brainstorming to leverage diverse perspectives, and incorporate collaborative tools for easy idea sharing. To encourage broad participation, use anonymous feedback mechanisms. Actively implement ideas to show that input leads to real actions. Acknowledge contributions to foster a culture of engagement. After overcoming challenges, reflect with the team to improve future problem-solving. This approach not only addresses current issues but also strengthens the team for future challenges, underscoring the importance of collaboration and innovation.

This stage is actually very critical. It’s important to define what you and your team truly knows, not just what you think you know is true. Another key thing here is collaboration. Go beyond your team, seek out others in other businesses units to see if they have faces a similar challenge. You might be surprised at what you might learn!

While evaluating various alternatives, I recommend to the team to be brave and not be risk averse. Most teams would like to stay in complete control and hence may be inclined towards the least risky solution however at times that compromises the creativity and the impact of the solution. Taking calculated risks along with defining the plan detour in case the risk is realised is the best way forward.

change. You can get a lot further on this road with patience and clear, constructive guidance. 2. Manage conflicts Real leadership involves talking to your team and helping each member understand either one another or the difficult part of the change. And when a conflict or issue arises and threatens to disrupt your schedule, you need to step in as quickly as possible. Whether the conflict is with a person or a part of the process, you should be on alert to help find solutions. Being eager, even ready, to dive into the problem quickly is one of the best qualities of an active leader in the change

Clearly communicate the challenge. Ensure everyone understands the objectives and their individual responsibilities. Inspire Confidence in your team by expressing belief in their abilities and highlighting past successes. Foster a collaborative environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and brainstorming solutions. Set Realistic Goals while providing the road map for achieving them. Remove barriers and provide support and resources. Empower them to take ownership of their tasks and make decisions within their areas of expertise. Be flexible and adaptable in your approach. Recognize and celebrate their progress. Encourage a culture of continuous improvement by seeking feedback.

Every problem have Solution and if there is no solution then there is something alternative for the dispute raised in work which can resolve the issue as well modify our team work.

One thing I found helpful is to encourage open dialogue to foster collaboration and problem-solving. Mirroring, pause and questions like: “what’s on your mind?” also might help to open up.

Leadership is something which means collaboration of thoughts and ideas from various people. so once we get the solution inspire the team to implement and lead the get the expected results.

Lead your team to success by fostering a supportive environment, encouraging collaboration, and breaking down the challenge into manageable steps. Empower team members to leverage their strengths, explore innovative approaches, and maintain a resilient mindset to overcome obstacles and achieve the desired outcome.

In my experience, leaders who show confidence in the plan and outcome garner more respect, trust, and participation from their team to successful outcomes.

change. You can get a lot further on this road with patience and clear, constructive guidance. 2. Manage conflicts Real leadership involves talking to your team and helping each member understand either one another or the difficult part of the change. And when a conflict or issue arises and threatens to disrupt your schedule, you need to step in as quickly as possible. Whether the conflict is with a person or a part of the process, you should be on alert to help find solutions. Being eager, even ready, to dive into the problem quickly is one of the best qualities of an active leader in the change process. Patience is required

The fourth step involves implementing the chosen solution. We'll start by planning the necessary actions, allocating resources, and setting timelines to execute the solution effectively. Communication with team members and stakeholders is key, where we'll explain the rationale, expectations, and roles associated with the solution. Throughout the implementation process, we'll monitor progress, track results, and gather feedback to ensure the solution is on track and meeting expectations. Adjustments will be made as needed to address any challenges or changes in circumstances, ensuring the success of the implementation.

Critical reflection, identifying improvements and recognising the team are fundamental steps. This practice not only empowers the team, but also strengthens mutual trust and motivation.

The final step is to reflect on the outcome of the solution and learn from the experience. We'll evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction of the solution, comparing it to the original challenge and goal. Additionally, we'll identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the solution, considering how they can be improved or leveraged in the future. It's important to celebrate achievements, recognize contributions, and thank team members for their efforts throughout the process. By reflecting on the experience, we can gain valuable insights to inform future decision-making and continuously improve our approach to tackling challenges.

Hone your question-asking skills: It begins with asking simple questions, even what some may deem as "dumb" questions. However, with consistent practice, it becomes ingrained in your habits, leading to better answers that can significantly enhance team performance.

Critical thinking cannot be learnt only through conventional courses or books, but with sharp observation skills. There are 3 steps :- 1.Observe 2.Learn 3.Apply

Develop your team's skills by providing targeted training, mentorship, and opportunities for hands-on learning. Foster a growth mindset, encourage experimentation, and recognize and celebrate progress to build confidence and resilience, empowering your team to tackle challenges effectively and achieve success.

Critical thinking is indeed a valuable skill that enhances leadership effectiveness in navigating challenges. Practicing the steps outlined above, asking open-ended questions, seeking feedback, and learning from others are essential strategies for developing critical thinking skills. Additionally, leveraging online courses, books, podcasts, or blogs dedicated to critical thinking and leadership can further enhance one's knowledge and skills in this area. By continuously honing critical thinking abilities, leaders can effectively analyze situations, make informed decisions, and lead their teams to success.

It's important to clearly define the challenge. Every team member should understand the problem and its impact. Develop a detailed plan on how to tackle the challenge with your team and ensure there's room for everyone to contribute. Assign responsibilities and keep everyone updated on the progress, setbacks and changes that arise.

Ensuring buy in, ownership of all (or majority) in a team is important, too. Make strides to continue to team build, learn strengths/challenges of each team member to build success for a longer lasting contribution

Lead your team through the challenge by fostering a collaborative environment, setting clear goals, and providing support and guidance. Encourage innovation, adaptability, and perseverance to overcome obstacles and achieve success together.