My Definition: Weighing all possible tradeoffs in order to find a solution to a challenge or problem. Finding the solution involves investigation and forward, innovative thinking in order to mitigate any future problems associated with the initial problem.

 

My Criteria: Effective problem solvers learn from previous experiences in order to further support their desicion making.  Problem solvers must truly understand the problem at hand, know why it's a problem and why others should buy into the solution.

 

Reflection: Case Competition

 

As the Leadership Development (LD) executive for PREP, my partner and I had to fascilitate PREP's annual Case Competition. Having experienced it as a freshmen, I understood the importance of this professional event.  Our main problem was the complaints from the case itself from last year.  Dealing with a soccer stadium relocation in an environmentally conscious area in Mexico was a little overwhelming for the majority of us in our first case competition.  We had heard many complaints, so we decided to change the case completely.  

 

As part of finding our solution, we needed to use our resources.  My partner and I dedicated an entire LD meeting asking what our committee freshmen were looking for in their first case competition.  We were able to form a consensus that our freshmen wanted a simpler, more ethically-focused case that disregarded confusing statistics and money figures.  Secondly, I took the time to meet with the director of the Fellows Program and Undergraduate Special Programs Office, General Van Alstyne. General Van Alstyne was very familiar with case studies and proved to be a phenominal resource during his process.  But first, I had to learn how to ask for help.  It was important for me to convey what we were looking for and how he could help.  He presented me with a packet of cases that he thought best suited our needs.  Taking lots of time to review each case, I finally found one concering a bank branch manager and his HR crisis.  

 

By being strategic in identifying the problem, I knew this case matched our specifications.  It was also important for me to understand that I wasn't the most experienced in this situation.  I had to understand the importance in utilizing my resources and asking the questions.  The Case Competition was a success and my partner and I recieved countless feedback on how impressed our judges were from the event.