Discover how senior stakeholders can enhance problem-solving skills by expanding their networks and embracing diverse perspectives for innovative solutions.

If your current network falls short in providing necessary insights, turn to social media. Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter allow you to follow industry leaders and join discussions in relevant groups. Engaging in these communities not only broadens your perspective but also connects you with experts globally. Remember, contributing your own insights can stimulate reciprocation, enriching your professional exchanges.

What do you do if your network isn't providing the insights and perspectives you need for problem solving?

When you're tackling complex challenges, the value of a diverse and resourceful network is immeasurable. But what happens when your network falls short, leaving you without the necessary insights and perspectives for problem solving? As a senior stakeholder, you understand the importance of leveraging different viewpoints to navigate intricate issues. Yet, there may come a time when your existing connections can't provide the depth or breadth of knowledge required. In such instances, it's crucial to have strategies in place to expand your network and enrich your problem-solving toolkit.

1 Expand Horizons

If your current network isn't yielding the insights you need, it's time to broaden your horizons. Actively seek out individuals and groups outside your usual circle. Attend industry conferences, participate in online forums, and join professional organizations to meet experts who can offer fresh perspectives. Be curious and open-minded; sometimes the most valuable insights come from unexpected sources. Engaging with a wider community not only brings new ideas to the table but also helps you stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies that could be pivotal in addressing your challenges.

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Adekoyejo Olugbile AMEI,Prince2 MSP MoR

Sustainable Energy Maestro|EV Infrastructure Visionary| Project Management Expert| Decarbonisation Strategist| Catalyst for Sustainable Impact
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I am an advocate of Theory of Inventive problem solving (TRIZ). I believe problems I encounter for example in transport networks, I can seek similar problems encountered in electric power network or fluid movement to see how they tackled the issue and solved their problems. I then seek to understand and the principles and devise an innovative solution to solving my transport planning network problems.

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2 Leverage Social

Social media platforms are treasure troves of expertise and opinion. Use them to follow thought leaders, join niche groups, and participate in discussions relevant to your problem area. Twitter chats, LinkedIn groups, and professional subreddits can connect you with a global community of professionals willing to share their knowledge. Remember to contribute to the conversation as well; offering your own insights can encourage others to reciprocate, fostering a mutually beneficial exchange of ideas.

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Iain White

Tech Consultant | IT Leader | Mentor | Virtual CTO | Leadership Coach | Project Manager | Scrum Master | IT Strategy | Digital Transformation | IT Governance | Agile | Lean | Theory Of Constraints | SaaS | Brisbane.
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If your current network falls short in providing necessary insights, turn to social media. Platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter allow you to follow industry leaders and join discussions in relevant groups. Engaging in these communities not only broadens your perspective but also connects you with experts globally. Remember, contributing your own insights can stimulate reciprocation, enriching your professional exchanges.

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3 Reassess Needs

Sometimes the issue isn't the size of your network but its relevance to your current challenges. Take time to reassess the skills and expertise you actually need. Do you require technical know-how, industry-specific experience, or a creative mindset? Once you've identified the gaps in your network, you can target individuals who possess these attributes. This focused approach ensures that you're not just expanding your network, but enriching it with the right kind of connections.

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4 Build Relationships

Building meaningful relationships is key to a supportive network. Go beyond superficial connections by engaging in deeper conversations and collaborations. Share your challenges and listen actively to others' experiences and advice. Establishing trust and demonstrating genuine interest in others' work leads to more open exchanges of ideas. Remember, strong professional relationships are built over time through consistent interaction, mutual respect, and shared experiences.

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Adekoyejo Olugbile AMEI,Prince2 MSP MoR

Sustainable Energy Maestro|EV Infrastructure Visionary| Project Management Expert| Decarbonisation Strategist| Catalyst for Sustainable Impact
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I strongly recommend building relationships that broadens your knowledge and experiences of other experts from sometimes radically different industries or sector to yours but they can offer extremely valuable solutions applicable in your field.

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5 Embrace Diversity

Diverse networks provide a wide range of perspectives that are crucial for comprehensive problem solving. Actively seek out individuals with different backgrounds, industries, and ways of thinking. This diversity can challenge your assumptions and introduce novel approaches to your problem. Embrace the discomfort that sometimes comes with diverse opinions; it often leads to breakthrough solutions that wouldn't arise from an echo chamber of like-minded individuals.

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6 Continuous Learning

Lastly, invest in continuous learning to complement the insights from your network. Attend workshops, enroll in courses, and read extensively on subjects related to your challenge. The knowledge you gain can provide new angles for problem solving and make conversations with your network more productive. By staying informed, you become a valuable member of your network, capable of both contributing and extracting significant insights.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if your network isn't providing the insights and perspectives you need for problem solving?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Expand Horizons

2 Leverage Social

3 Reassess Needs

4 Build Relationships

5 Embrace Diversity

6 Continuous Learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

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What do you do if your network isn't providing the insights and perspectives you need for problem solving?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Expand Horizons

2 Leverage Social

3 Reassess Needs

4 Build Relationships

5 Embrace Diversity

6 Continuous Learning

7 Here’s what else to consider

Senior Stakeholder Management

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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