Are you a leader or a follower? When faced with a difficult
problem, how do you react? How you face problems is one of the
critical factors that helps determine how successful you will be
in life. Its also one of the key qualities of a leader! Leaders
solve problems- followers go to leaders to get their problems
solved.
The first thing to do when faced with a problem is assume there
is an answer out there- it just needs to be found. Worrying about
the problem gets you nowhere; working towards the answer will get
you everywhere. Know that YOU control your attitude and thoughts
about any given situation. Leaders control their attitude and
focus on results.
The next thing is to collect all the facts about the problem-
most problems are not as big as they seem at first, once
everything is known. Also, facts will help you find a better
solution, faster. Knowing this is the next step can remove the
emotion out of the situation- if someone comes to you with
problem, simply begin asking questions and gather the facts.
Sometimes you have dig to get to the real problem! How do you
dig? Keep asking questions. Leaders are good at asking the right
questions- and listening.
Then decide- is this really a problem that needs solving? Had bad
is the problem? What is the worst that could happen if it is
ignored? This helps put things in perspective, and oftentimes
everyone will realize the problem is not as worrisome as they
think. Leaders keep things in perspective to what they really
are.
If the problem does need solving, consider what actions you might
personally do that could resolve the problem. Brainstorm all
ideas and write them down. If the problem came from someone else,
consider what THEY can do to solve it. It's usually better to
teach someone how to solve their own problem than do it for them.
Leaders show you how to do it, not do it for you.
Consider what research you might do to solve the problem-
searching the internet, asking other people, reading books. Don't
make the mistake of thinking you are all-knowing and that your
first instinct for an answer is necessarily the best. Bounce your
ideas off other people, even if you think they know less on the
subject. Sometimes the more you know, the more you can overlook
the obvious. Leaders know how to get the information that is out
there.
Next, be decisive, pick a solution, and implement it. Sometimes,
a quick fix solution is needed followed by a long-term fix.
Either way, once you decide a problem needs a solution, follow
through with it. By the same token, know when a solution is
outside of your control, and is time to just let it drop and move
forward. Leaders follow through with things they take on.
Break the solution into small steps, and then focus on the most
immediate steps. Leaders know how to break problems down into
their component tasks and then track the progress of each one
over time.
Finally, test and monitor any solutions you implement- don't just
assume you're done. Despite your best intentions, any solution
may fail- it may even make things worse! Be sure it's possible
to undo whatever solution you implemented, and without being
ashamed. A leader is not ashamed to make mistakes- without
mistakes; no progress would ever be made!
And last but not least, solve your problems with integrity and
honesty; otherwise you will never earn the respect of others you
need assistance from.
While this article focused only on solving problems, being a good
leader in general is a much larger topic, and something well
worth your study. The goal of a leader is often simple, as Henry
Kissinger stated: "The task of the leader is to get his people
from where they are to where they have not been." Or I also
like what Jim Rohn said: "A good objective of leadership is to
help those who are doing poorly to do well and to help those who
are doing well to do even better."
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