Team activity — Implement needs-based problem solving

A team building activity about improving effectiveness and reducing negative emotions in the workplace.

Share on.articles

All emotions, thoughts and behaviours  interconnect with our core, basic human needs. Problems and conflicts – in and out of the workplace –  (and elsewhere) can result from work-specific needs that either aren’t or are threatened to go unsatisfied. Knowing how to implement needs-based problem-solving can help managers become more effective. Using this skill also helps to reduce negative emotions in the workplace. 

There are 4 important steps to needs-based problem-solving: 

  1. Identify the work-specific needs of all involved parties. These include:
    • Appreciation
    • Fairness
    • Equity in decision-making and respect
  2. Collaborate creatively on possible strategies for ensuring the most important needs of all parties are met in a mutually agreeable way.
  3. Affirm an agreement. Address any misunderstandings, and discuss a process for handling the problem in the future, if necessary.
  4. Document the agreement, providing all parties with a copy. You can use this approach to help a worker with compromised concentration, perception or memory.

Review the four steps to needs-based problem-solving next time you are required to address a conflict or other problem situation. Remember to ICAD: 

Identify needs 

Collaborate creatively 

Affirm an agreement 

Document the agreement 

Find more activities like this at Team building activities.

Contributors include.articlesDr. Joti SamraMary Ann Baynton

Related articles.articles

Article tags.articles

Choose an option to filter.articles

Comments.comments

To add a comment.comments