Achieving success in business depends on recognizing challenges and resolving the issues that hinder progress. In today’s complex and rapidly evolving landscape, this skill is no longer optional. Engaging problems effectively is a core competency that leaders must cultivate to guide teams, drive innovation and manage risk across industries.
Graduates of the University of Wisconsin-Parkside Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in General Management online program gain the practical skills and strategic insight needed to meet the demands of today’s dynamic business environment. As Harvard Business School (HBS) explains, problem-solving in business is the systematic process of addressing any obstacles to progress.
Why Is Problem-Solving Important in Business?
Every business exists to solve a problem. Whether that problem is related to customer needs, internal inefficiencies or external disruptions, a company’s ability to respond effectively often determines its success. HBS describes problem-solving as a structured process that removes barriers standing in the way of business goals. These barriers involve declining revenue, team misalignment or underperforming strategies.
In leadership roles, the ability to solve problems creatively and collaboratively is essential. McKinsey identifies several mindsets that effective problem-solvers adopt. These include maintaining curiosity about all aspects of a problem, tolerating ambiguity and viewing issues through multiple lenses. Leaders are also encouraged to experiment frequently, seek insights from outside their immediate teams and communicate solutions through compelling storytelling. These mindsets offer a practical roadmap for navigating complex challenges with clarity and creativity.
Problem-solving Skills in Management
General managers play a central role in addressing business challenges. According to Investopedia, general managers oversee operations, staff, budgets and strategy. This positions them to resolve issues that span multiple departments. Their responsibilities include assessing performance, setting priorities and ensuring that all efforts align with the organization’s goals.
Indeed notes that successful general managers rely on communication, strategic thinking, leadership and technical skills to fulfill their roles. These abilities allow managers to identify problems, evaluate options, delegate tasks and implement changes that improve performance. Whether resolving staffing issues or recalibrating financial targets, managers who possess strong problem-solving skills can adapt and lead with confidence.
Problem-solving Strategies in Business
Solving problems in business often involves following a straightforward process. LivePlan offers a ten-step method that begins with defining the problem and ends with tracking success. This approach encourages leaders to conduct SWOT analyses, involve their teams, research market trends and test solutions through financial modeling.
One particularly effective framework is design thinking. As outlined by Harvard Business School, design thinking is a human-centered approach that encourages leaders to clarify the problem, generate a wide range of ideas, refine viable options and implement the best solution through clear communication.
It is especially valuable when the root cause of a business challenge is unclear, as it promotes empathy, creativity and iterative testing. Harvard also highlights the role of creative problem-solving tools, such as brainstorming and divergent thinking exercises, which facilitate the ideation phase by helping teams break away from conventional patterns and explore fresh solutions.
What Is an MBA in General Management?
An MBA in General Management prepares professionals to lead across departments by developing versatile, strategic thinking. Graduates of the UW-Parkside online MBA in General Management enter the business world prepared to lead with clarity and purpose. The program blends leadership training with a comprehensive understanding of business functions, giving students the tools they need to solve complex challenges in real time.
The program includes courses such as Managerial Accounting, which focuses on identifying relevant cost and revenue information to support decision-making, and Marketing Management, which uses case studies to enrich analytical and strategic marketing skills. Students also take Creative and Innovative Management, a course that explores how to address challenges in complex and competitive work environments, and Advanced Strategic Management, which emphasizes the formulation, implementation and control of business- and corporate-level strategies.
By developing problem-solving expertise through rigorous coursework and real-world application, graduates of the UW-Parkside online MBA in General Management gain the confidence and capabilities to lead in any industry. With a curriculum grounded in strategic thinking, data analysis and cross-functional leadership, this program equips professionals to approach complex business challenges with clarity and purpose. Explore the online MBA in General Management at UW-Parkside and take the next step toward becoming the kind of leader today’s organizations need.
Learn more about the online MBA in General Management at UW-Parkside.