"Case Study Overview: Negative Problem-Solving Dynamics"
• Situation: Downtown Canna-Smoke franchise experienced thriving sales pre-Covid. Pandemic-induced
shutdowns led to a drastic decline in foot traffic and sales.
• Team Efforts: The owner, Curtis, formed a team of managers (Cathy, Steve, Harpreet) to address declining sales.
However, the team exhibited reluctance and disengagement towards problem-solving.
• Meetings: Initial meetings lacked direction and proactive participation. Team members displayed negative
attitudes, citing distrust in taking ownership of problem-solving tasks delegated by superiors.
• Outcome: Lack of collaboration resulted in minimal contribution. Harpreet's individual efforts led to a
rudimentary presentation with little input from the team. Curtis was visibly unimpressed with the underprepared
presentation.
• Implications: The team’s negative problem-solving orientation hindered collective efforts, leaving Curtis
considering staffing changes and reduced operating hours.
EFFECTIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING
ORIENTATION IN THE WORKPLACE
1. Key Aspect of Professional Success: Problem-solving skills are pivotal for success. Our case study showcases
how the ongoing pandemic necessitates robust problem-solving abilities.
2. Attributes of Effective Problem Solvers: Handling challenges and complex problems, creativity, and root cause
identification are vital skills. Effective problem-solving involves teamwork and communication.
3. Team Dynamics and Collaboration: Fulfillment of task requirements hinges on team interactions. Our case
study emphasizes the importance of effective communication for successful problem-solving.
4. Research and Root Cause Analysis: Gathering information, brainstorming, and consulting peers are crucial.
Case study highlights deficiencies due to lack of teamwork and individual efforts.
5. Impact on Business and Employees: Negative problem-solving skills can impact business outcomes and job
security. The case study demonstrates how deficiencies risk business performance and employee layoffs.
REFERENCES
Lewis, P. A., Knoblich, G., & Poe, G. (2018). How Memory
Replay in Sleep Boosts Creative Problem-Solving. Trends in
Cognitive Sciences, 22(6), 491–503.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2018.03.009
Wiltshire, T. J., Butner, J. E., & Fiore, S. M. (2018). Problem‐
Solving Phase Transitions During Team
Collaboration. Cognitive Science, 42(1), 129–167.
https://doi.org/10.1111/cogs.12482
"Improved Problem-Solving Dynamics"
Enhanced Collaboration: Revised
scenarios emphasize stronger teamwork,
proactive problem-solving, and shared
responsibilities among team members .
Resultant Improvement: Overall, the
rewritten scenarios demonstrate
enhanced teamwork, proactive Effective Communication: Clear
problem-solving strategies, improved emphasis on improved communication
communication, thorough research, and channels, active engagement, and the
a positive problem-solving approach, exchange of ideas leading to better
contributing to more successful problem understanding.
outcomes in addressing workplace
challenges.
Thorough Research Approach:
Positive Problem-Solving Orientation: Shift Emphasis on detailed research,
towards a more positive problem-solving mindset,
showcasing a willingness to collaborate and take brainstorming, and root cause
proactive steps towards problem resolution. analysis for comprehensive problem
assessment and solution generation.
