HOW TO STATEHOW TO STATE A PROBLEM A PROBLEM

Enhancing Faculty Enhancing Faculty Participation Participation

Developed from the Developed from the Contents of Reginald Leon Contents of Reginald Leon

Green’sGreen’s

Practicing the Art of Leadership: Practicing the Art of Leadership:

A Problem-based Approach to Implementing A Problem-based Approach to Implementing

the ISLLC Standardsthe ISLLC Standards

Chapter 5Chapter 5

EFFECTIVELY STATING EFFECTIVELY STATING A PROBLEMA PROBLEM

An essential skill for school An essential skill for school leaders is the ability to assist the leaders is the ability to assist the faculty in effectively stating a faculty in effectively stating a problem. problem.

EFFECTIVELY STATING EFFECTIVELY STATING A PROBLEMA PROBLEM

When a problem is effectively When a problem is effectively stated, a faculty can be greatly stated, a faculty can be greatly encouraged to resolve that issue encouraged to resolve that issue or problem. or problem.

EFFECTIVELY STATING EFFECTIVELY STATING A PROBLEMA PROBLEM

When a problem is effectively When a problem is effectively stated, creativity is encouraged, stated, creativity is encouraged, the issues are given full the issues are given full consideration, and alternative consideration, and alternative solutions are developed.solutions are developed.

DEFINING THE DEFINING THE PROBLEMPROBLEM

The greatest aid in defining a The greatest aid in defining a problem is isolating the real heart problem is isolating the real heart of the problem. of the problem.

DEFINING THE DEFINING THE PROBLEMPROBLEM

There must be a separation of There must be a separation of creative thinking from judgmental creative thinking from judgmental thinking.thinking.

DEFINING THE DEFINING THE PROBLEMPROBLEM

It must be understood that the It must be understood that the meeting is called not to settle the meeting is called not to settle the problem, but to get ideas on how problem, but to get ideas on how to settle the problem.to settle the problem.

STATING THE PROBLEMSTATING THE PROBLEMStep 1Step 1

The process should begin with a The process should begin with a problem question, not a solution problem question, not a solution question. question.

A Solution QuestionA Solution Question

“ “How can we get teachers to How can we get teachers to accept team teaching?” accept team teaching?”

The solution has been given, The solution has been given, “...get teachers to accept...” “...get teachers to accept...”

A Question StatementA Question Statement

““What instructional approach would be What instructional approach would be best to meet the needs of our best to meet the needs of our students?” students?”

Or, “What information would be Or, “What information would be helpful to teachers to make decisions helpful to teachers to make decisions about working cooperatively with each about working cooperatively with each other?” other?”

STATING THE STATING THE PROBLEMPROBLEM

Review this statement…Review this statement…

“ “How do we get rid of our present How do we get rid of our present instructional system and install a instructional system and install a more efficient method?” more efficient method?”

Is this a problem or solution Is this a problem or solution statement?statement?

A Solution StatementA Solution Statement

Again, the solution is given. Again, the solution is given.

A problem statement would be, A problem statement would be, “What are the characteristics of a “What are the characteristics of a teaching approach that we would teaching approach that we would like to have?” like to have?”

BEST PRACTICEBEST PRACTICE

The best practice suggests a The best practice suggests a separation of the solution from separation of the solution from the problem; then the faculty can the problem; then the faculty can focus on understanding the focus on understanding the details of the problem. details of the problem.

BEST PRACTICEBEST PRACTICE

Once this occurs, appropriate Once this occurs, appropriate solutions are likely to emerge. solutions are likely to emerge.

STATING THE STATING THE PROBLEMPROBLEM

There are no hard and fast rules There are no hard and fast rules for stating a problem. However, for stating a problem. However, the art of group leadership is the art of group leadership is assisting the group to state assisting the group to state questions in a problem, rather questions in a problem, rather than a solution framework.than a solution framework.

REFERENCESREFERENCES

Greenberg, J. & Baron, R. A. (2003). Greenberg, J. & Baron, R. A. (2003). Behavior in organizations: Behavior in organizations: Understanding and managing the Understanding and managing the human side of workhuman side of work (8 (8thth ed.). Upper ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.