Proactive Problem Solving
Executive Editor Daniel Alter, MSc, MDT, CDT | dalter@aegiscomm.com
Today's modern dental laboratory owner, manager, and technologist transcend their traditional roles, conventionally defined as fabricating oral appliances and teeth to restore the patient's oral environment and health. As dental laboratory professionals, we are regularly faced with challenges that are as unique as every patient we serve. Nevertheless, for dental laboratory owners and managers, technical and business exigencies further produce the critical need to be an active problem solver and approach challenges proactively, rather than reactively.
These challenges manifest through means of paranormal occlusal functions, compromised esthetics, communication, materials, technology, logistics, and so much more. Being astute enough to recognize challenges and, most importantly, their solutions—and letting go of those that are out of our control—is critically important. The learned skill of problem solving has become more impactful than ever before and was nicely conveyed in a recent article by McKinsey Quarterly with this essential quote: "Even the most inscrutable problems have solutions—or better outcomes than have been reached so far."1 Great problem solving is a learned skill set that propels the success of leaders across all businesses, large and small.
Problem solving is a deliberate act and mindset that requires thoughtful engagement, and the McKinsey Quarterly article does a great job of breaking down the process of how all leaders can learn to adopt an open and curious mindset, and adhere to a systematic process for cracking even the most unfathomable problems. "Successful business leaders are terrific problem solvers under any conditions. And when conditions of uncertainty are at their peak, they're at their brilliant best," the authors say. "Six mutually reinforcing approaches underlie their success: (1) being ever-curious about every element of a problem; (2) being imperfectionists, with a high tolerance for ambiguity; (3) having a "dragonfly eye" view of the world, to see through multiple lenses; (4) pursuing occurrent behavior and experimenting relentlessly; (5) tapping into the collective intelligence, acknowledging that the smartest people are not in the room; and (6) practicing "show and tell" because storytelling begets action."1
When using this strategy, dental laboratory owners and managers can consider their business practices through several lenses: their dentist clientele, their patients, their employees, and the products or services they offer. Identifying problems and preemptively attempting to solve them will put you in a position of control and action, so that the results are meaningfully and thoughtfully structured for better outcomes, workflows, and work/life balance. It also fortifies client and staff confidence in the laboratory's ability to handle any challenge, and positions the laboratory as a strong and trusted leader in the profession.
In many capacities, you are already engaged in problem solving, but are you the one in control of the process or are you simply putting out fires as they come in? I encourage you to approach every situation with a proactive problem solving strategy; the results will be profound.
It is my honor and pleasure to elevate and inspire with knowledge!
References
1. Conn C and McLean R. Six problem-solving mindsets for very uncertain times. McKinsey Quarterly. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/six-problem-solving-mindsets-for-very-uncertain-times. Published September 15, 2020. Accessed January 10, 2022.
