Problem Solving in - PowerPoint Presentation

Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks Lecture Tools Teaching Resources

Everyone has problems. They might lie with our jobs, health, school, careers, families, clubs, group activities, or in our relationships with others. With the fast pace of today’s life, many of us face several important problems all at once! Each stage of life brings new problems or changes that make it necessary to adjust previously made decisions. We are obligated to make up our minds on matters concerning home life, work, community activities, and even organizational and governmental issues.

Why We Don’t Solve Problems Lack of disciplineHabit – ComfortablePerceptions – Point of view Fear – Failure – Risk – RejectionAssumptionsHistoryChangePrejudiceLack of self-disciplineCommitment

Characteristics of a Successful Problem Solver Reasoning abilityProblem sensitivityFlexibilityFluency of thinking Originality

Ways We Think MathematicsSystems analysisOperations research Rules and regulations Policies Acceptance Maneuvering Compromise Planning Influence Suspend judgment Serendipity Exploration Dreaming Irrelevant to relevant Analytical Judicial Pure Logic Law Bureaucratic Political Creative Organized Mind Wandering

Issues Facing the Recreation and Park Profession Financial conservatismIncreased feesAge groupingPublic policy EnvironmentPrivate sector roleLeisure behavior – technologyLeisure education

Why Managers Encounter Problems With Delegation Lack of understanding about delegationLack of job trainingLack of confidence by supervisors - SubordinatesLack of confidence by supervisors - ThemselvesUnwillingness to take riskFear subordinates will do good jobLiking by supervisor for particular jobDesire for perfection Things are going well as they are

GroupthinkWhen social pressure on group members becomes so great that norms evolve that will preserve group relations. The desire for cohesiveness and group concurrence is so high that it interferes with critical thinking and destroys realistic appraisal of alternatives.Intruders keep out!

Symptoms of Groupthink Always agree IneptAvoid disagreementCollective rationalization Esprit de corpsGroup “stick-togetherness”Unethical/Illegal Notes

Preventing Groupthink Leader encouragementLook for alternativesDisagreement is okayDiscuss advantages and disadvantages Reaction of “outside” group

Action PlansAction plans determine how to achieve specific objectives. Action plans incorporate five substeps:Programming – Establishing a sequence of actions to achieve objectives Scheduling – Establishing time requirements for action stepsBudgeting – Determining and assigning the resources to achieve objectivesFixing Accountability – Assigning people who will see to the accomplishments of the objectivesReviewing and Reconciling – Testing and revising a tentative plan

Sample Objectives To improve park district mechanics’ performance in basic auto repair skills by a minimum of 10%, as measured by standard tests, by May 31, not to exceed 150 hours and not to exceed $1,000.To complete conversion of park district financial records to microfilm by October 2017 at a contract cost not to exceed $15,000 and at a staff coordination cost not to exceed 200 work hours.

Successful Brainstorming Sessions Away from phones5–7 in groupBe careful of levelsSome can’tPreparation Keep ideas short

Your Solution Is Accepted – Now What? Inform – persuade – convince Effort in selecting decisionOvercome objection Overcome changeBe prepared for emotional and cultural blocks Notes

BrainstormingCriticism outOriginal – creative QuantityCombine – improve

Traits of Creative People In relation to others:Not a joiner IndependentDominantAssertive, bold, courageous Little interest in interpersonal relationsIndependence from parentsIndependence of judgment , especially under pressure Conventional morality In job attitudes: Preference for things and ideas to people High regard for intellectual interests Less emphasis on and value in job security Less enjoyment in and satisfaction from work and routineHigh level of resourcefulness and adaptabilitySkepticalPrecise, criticalHonesty, integrityAbility to toy with elements – capacity to be puzzledHigh tolerance for ambiguityPersistence Emphasis on theoretical valuesAttitudes toward self: Introspective, egocentric, internally preoccupiedOpenness to new experiencesLess in need to protect selfGreat awareness of selfInner maturityGreat strength of characterHighly responsive emotionallyLess emotionally stableLess self-acceptanceOther characteristics:Spontaneity, enthusiasmStubbornnessOriginalityAdventurousnessHigh excitability and irritabilityCompulsivityComplexity as a personAnxiety

Skills Managers Should HaveEnergy Self-confidenceMental toughness – skill masterySet goals Personal commitmentLove and concern for othersIntegrityPhysical fitness