Present Solutions not Problems

We are always going to run into issues in our day to day work lives. It is important when bringing those issues up to peers, that we do so in a positive way. Here are some proactive approaches to make sure you are coming across as a forward thinking individual who wants to solve the problems.

Stop complaining about problems, no one wants to hear about them, they just want to know how you will solve.

Solutions

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Some ideas which have worked for me in the past:

Propose a solution when presenting your problem. We all want to complain about our problems, it feels good. The issue lies in how that message comes across when we deliver. If you propose a solution to the problem, even if it is a bad one, the tone of the message comes across very differently. When you propose a solution to your problem, you are telling people you want to make the situation better, not just complain.

Admit you have an issue and need help solving. Some problems are not easy to solve. If you start off the conversation describing your issue, and prefix it with: "I have a problem I need help solving", you will immediately get buy in and more willing help from those around you. People will know you are trying to make things better even though you don't know how.