Developing the Leader Within You 2.0 - Problem Solving

"The quickest way to gain leadership is through problem-solving... Most leaders are either entering a crisis, in the middle of a crisis, or just resolving one." John C. Maxwell

How many of you go on a job interview and when asked for your strength say, "Problem-solving."?

I know I do not only because it sounds good but because I am a good problem solver. What does this mean? Are you sitting around figuring out jigsaw puzzles and putting the pieces together when someone can't figure out where they all go? Well, yes! Sort of... I see problem-solving as someone who can analyze a situation, anticipate problems, and then think through solutions and then apply the solutions to the situation. Not only are you doing this by yourself, but you are also strategic enough to get buy-in for your ideas and get people to participate in the solutions so that these problems you foresee do not become a major disaster.

In Maxwell's book chapter, he challenges us to look at problems as opportunities. Problems hold potential benefits which is why problem-solving is the quickest way to gain leadership.  Problems introduce us to ourselves; problems introduce us to others; and problems introduce us to opportunities.

Here is some advice about problem-solving:

• stay close to the people you are leading so you can understand the problem and make better decisions
• don't be surprised when problems arise and it's your responsibility to solve them
• Let go of your need to be right and focus on the greater need to do right
• If you believe you can find answers to problems you think are worth solving, you are more motivated to keep working at them. And the more you work at them and succeed, the greater the number of tools you will develop in problem solving
• You will make many errors in your trial-and-error process and those errors not only fail to solve problems but may make them worse... through these errors, make sure you keep your emotions in check, take responsibility for addressing the problem and give your best effort to landing a solution to the problem
• The problem promise- when you handle them well, problems promise to make you better

Problems introduce us to others:

• People who make problems worse
• People who become problem magnets
• People who give up in the face of problems
• People who use problems as stepping stones for success

Problems introduce us to opportunities

• Albert Einstein said, "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity."
• Do these 8 things to see problems as opportunities
1. Recognize a potential problem before it becomes a real problem
2. Get a clear picture of the problem
3. Ask questions to help you solve problems
1. Who knows the most about this problem?
2. Who knows what I need to know?
3. Who wants to tackle this problem?
4. Who needs to buy-in, ad how long will that take?
5. Have we earned enough trust to make needed changes?
6. What questions do I need to ask myself?
4. Create a framework to Examine problems and solutions
1. Leadership- How does this problem affect our people?
2. Personnel- Do we have the right people to help us with this problem?
3. Timing- Is this the right time for a solution, and do we have enough time for it?
4. Vision- How does this problem affect where we're trying to go?
5. Priorities- are my problems taking me or the team away from our priorities?
6. Values- are my values or my team's being compromised by this problem?
5. Value shared problem solving
1. The best problem solvers don't work alone- they use the Socratic method of asking questions to gain from other people's thinking.
2. 10/80/10- first 10% is focused on defining the problem for us all, 80% of my time is spent listening to my team's ideas and facilitating their thinking, the last 10% is spent in my attempt to add value from my leadership experience- trying to improve upon the solutions the team comes up with (cherry on top).
3. Foster an environment for problem solving by...
1. removing silos
2. create a speak-up environment
3. socialize ideas
6. Always come up with more than one solution
7. Cultivate a bias for action
8. Actively look for opportunities and lessons in every problem

Developing the Problem Solver Within You:

• Starting now, when you face problems begin using questions to learn more about the members of your team, gather information, brainstorm ideas, and find multiple solutions to problems (see picture of the list of questions to ask)…

• Pick one big problem you are working on, as you seek solutions, brainstorm as many creative opportunities as possible that could be associated with the problem and solution. 

Good luck on solving problems!