Developing the Leader within Ch: 5

Problem Solving: The Quickest Way to Gain Leadership

• The book "The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck changed the author's life by making them understand that life is difficult and once accepted, it no longer matters.
• Individuals can think "me," but leaders must think "we" and consider other people's problems as their own.

The Life of a Leader

• A leader's life is not their own, and they must deal with problems that arise.
• Most leaders are either entering, in the middle of, or just resolving a crisis.
• Problems are a constant in a leader's life, and they must be pragmatic and see opportunities in them.

Personal Lessons Learned

• The author's proximity to problems affected their decisions, and they learned to stay close to people to make good decisions.
• As a leader, problems are constant, and expecting anything else is unrealistic.
• Pragmatism serves leaders well, and they must be patient and persistent in solving problems.
• Believing that there is always an answer is an asset for problem solvers.
• A leader's actions can make problems better or worse, and they must take responsibility for their attitude and emotions.

The Six Biggest Lessons Learned

• Proximity to problems affects decisions
• Problems never stay solved
• Pragmatism serves leaders well
• Believing in solutions is an asset
• Actions can make problems better or worse
• Problems introduce us to ourselves, others, and opportunities

Problems Introduce Us to Ourselves

• The hardest thing about milking cows is that they never stay milked - problems are constant
• Pragmatism helps leaders solve problems
• Believing in solutions motivates leaders to keep working on problems
• Mental agility is a key problem-solving skill
• Leaders must take responsibility for addressing problems and emotions

Problems Introduce Us to Others

• How people respond to problems reveals their character
• People can make problems worse or better
• Some people attract problems, and leaders must help them change
• People who give up in the face of problems can be helped to change
• People who use problems as stepping-stones for success can overcome obstacles### The Power of Problem Solving
• Small problems can create a bigger problem for yourself if you don't empower your people to be better problem solvers.
• "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" - Albert Einstein
• The best leaders are the best problem solvers, they approach problems with a lens of opportunity.

8 Steps to Look at Problems Through the Lens of Opportunity

• 1. Recognize a Potential Problem Before it Becomes a Real Problem

  • Anticipate problems to position yourself and your team for success
  • Identify potential problems and have a game plan to fix them

• 2. Get a Clear Picture of the Problem

  • Identify what constitutes a problem
  • Define reality as a leader
  • Refuse to rationalize or justify bad choices

• 3. Ask Questions to Help You Solve Problems

  • The Information Question: "Who knows the most about this problem?"
  • The Experience Question: "Who knows what I need to know?"
  • The Challenge Question: "Who wants to tackle this problem?"
  • The Magnitude Question: "Who needs to buy in, and how long will that take?"
  • The Trust Question: "Have we earned enough trust to make needed changes?"
  • The Personal Question: "What questions do I need to ask myself?"

• 4. Create a Framework to Examine Problems and Solutions

  • Develop a framework to judge solutions
  • Consider leadership, personnel, timing, vision, priorities, and values

• 5. Value Shared Problem Solving

  • Enlist the aid of other thinkers to help solve problems
  • Use the Socratic method to gain from others' thinking
  • Foster an environment of shared problem solving

• 6. Always Come Up with More than One Solution

  • Pursue multiple solutions to a problem
  • The more options, the better
  • Big ideas evolve as you explore and look for more and better solutions

• 7. Cultivate a Bias for Action

  • Develop a bias for action, not just thought
  • Think "How can I?" instead of "Can I?"
  • Move forward and take deliberate steps

• 8. Actively Look for Opportunities and Lessons in Every Problem

  • See opportunities in the midst of problems
  • Develop a bias for action and look for lessons
  • Solve problems to improve your life and leadership### Developing Problem Solving Skills as a Leader

• Problem solving provides unique opportunities for leaders to make an impact and grow in their role.

• How you handle problems shapes your attitude and leadership, and you can change your mind-set to see problems as opportunities.

Reflecting on Your Approach to Problems

• Ask yourself: "What does the way I handle problems say about me?"
• Consider whether you see problems as opportunities to use your leadership for the betterment of your team and organization, or as inconveniences.
• Make a list of past problems that have led to lessons or opportunities, and decide to look for the potential positives in your problems from now on.

Enlisting Others as Problem Solvers

• When facing problems, use questions to learn more about your team, gather information, brainstorm ideas, and find multiple solutions.
• Ask questions like:
  • When did the problem begin?
  • Where did it begin?
  • Who was first to notice it?
  • What are several possible causes for it?
  • What is the impact of the problem?
  • Who is affected?
  • What other possible negative consequences could it have?
  • Is this problem part of a bigger problem?
  • If so, how?
  • Who has dealt with this kind of problem successfully?
  • What are several possible approaches to solving it?
  • What kind of time, expertise, and resources will be needed for these solutions?
  • Will people buy into these solutions?
  • How long will each of these solutions take to implement?
  • How might these solutions give us future advantages?
  • What lessons can be learned from all of this?

Finding Opportunities in Current Problems

• Pick one big problem you are currently working on and brainstorm as many creative opportunities as possible that could be associated with the problem and solution.
• Consider how these thoughts can shape the problem-solving process, and how you can use a problem to actually move your team or organization farther ahead.
• By doing so, you can become a change agent, one of the most difficult leadership tasks.

Problem Solving: The Quickest Way to Gain Leadership

• The book "The Road Less Traveled" by M. Scott Peck changed the author's life by making them understand that life is difficult and once accepted, it no longer matters.
• Individuals can think "me," but leaders must think "we" and consider other people's problems as their own.

The Life of a Leader

• A leader's life is not their own, and they must deal with problems that arise.
• Most leaders are either entering, in the middle of, or just resolving a crisis.
• Problems are a constant in a leader's life, and they must be pragmatic and see opportunities in them.

Personal Lessons Learned

• The author's proximity to problems affected their decisions, and they learned to stay close to people to make good decisions.
• As a leader, problems are constant, and expecting anything else is unrealistic.
• Pragmatism serves leaders well, and they must be patient and persistent in solving problems.
• Believing that there is always an answer is an asset for problem solvers.
• A leader's actions can make problems better or worse, and they must take responsibility for their attitude and emotions.

The Six Biggest Lessons Learned

• Proximity to problems affects decisions
• Problems never stay solved
• Pragmatism serves leaders well
• Believing in solutions is an asset
• Actions can make problems better or worse
• Problems introduce us to ourselves, others, and opportunities

Problems Introduce Us to Ourselves

• The hardest thing about milking cows is that they never stay milked - problems are constant
• Pragmatism helps leaders solve problems
• Believing in solutions motivates leaders to keep working on problems
• Mental agility is a key problem-solving skill
• Leaders must take responsibility for addressing problems and emotions

Problems Introduce Us to Others

• How people respond to problems reveals their character
• People can make problems worse or better
• Some people attract problems, and leaders must help them change
• People who give up in the face of problems can be helped to change
• People who use problems as stepping-stones for success can overcome obstacles### The Power of Problem Solving
• Small problems can create a bigger problem for yourself if you don't empower your people to be better problem solvers.
• "In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity" - Albert Einstein
• The best leaders are the best problem solvers, they approach problems with a lens of opportunity.

8 Steps to Look at Problems Through the Lens of Opportunity

• 1. Recognize a Potential Problem Before it Becomes a Real Problem

  • Anticipate problems to position yourself and your team for success
  • Identify potential problems and have a game plan to fix them

• 2. Get a Clear Picture of the Problem

  • Identify what constitutes a problem
  • Define reality as a leader
  • Refuse to rationalize or justify bad choices

• 3. Ask Questions to Help You Solve Problems

  • The Information Question: "Who knows the most about this problem?"
  • The Experience Question: "Who knows what I need to know?"
  • The Challenge Question: "Who wants to tackle this problem?"
  • The Magnitude Question: "Who needs to buy in, and how long will that take?"
  • The Trust Question: "Have we earned enough trust to make needed changes?"
  • The Personal Question: "What questions do I need to ask myself?"

• 4. Create a Framework to Examine Problems and Solutions

  • Develop a framework to judge solutions
  • Consider leadership, personnel, timing, vision, priorities, and values

• 5. Value Shared Problem Solving

  • Enlist the aid of other thinkers to help solve problems
  • Use the Socratic method to gain from others' thinking
  • Foster an environment of shared problem solving

• 6. Always Come Up with More than One Solution

  • Pursue multiple solutions to a problem
  • The more options, the better
  • Big ideas evolve as you explore and look for more and better solutions

• 7. Cultivate a Bias for Action

  • Develop a bias for action, not just thought
  • Think "How can I?" instead of "Can I?"
  • Move forward and take deliberate steps

• 8. Actively Look for Opportunities and Lessons in Every Problem

  • See opportunities in the midst of problems
  • Develop a bias for action and look for lessons
  • Solve problems to improve your life and leadership### Developing Problem Solving Skills as a Leader

• Problem solving provides unique opportunities for leaders to make an impact and grow in their role.

• How you handle problems shapes your attitude and leadership, and you can change your mind-set to see problems as opportunities.

Reflecting on Your Approach to Problems

• Ask yourself: "What does the way I handle problems say about me?"
• Consider whether you see problems as opportunities to use your leadership for the betterment of your team and organization, or as inconveniences.
• Make a list of past problems that have led to lessons or opportunities, and decide to look for the potential positives in your problems from now on.

Enlisting Others as Problem Solvers

• When facing problems, use questions to learn more about your team, gather information, brainstorm ideas, and find multiple solutions.
• Ask questions like:
  • When did the problem begin?
  • Where did it begin?
  • Who was first to notice it?
  • What are several possible causes for it?
  • What is the impact of the problem?
  • Who is affected?
  • What other possible negative consequences could it have?
  • Is this problem part of a bigger problem?
  • If so, how?
  • Who has dealt with this kind of problem successfully?
  • What are several possible approaches to solving it?
  • What kind of time, expertise, and resources will be needed for these solutions?
  • Will people buy into these solutions?
  • How long will each of these solutions take to implement?
  • How might these solutions give us future advantages?
  • What lessons can be learned from all of this?

Finding Opportunities in Current Problems

• Pick one big problem you are currently working on and brainstorm as many creative opportunities as possible that could be associated with the problem and solution.
• Consider how these thoughts can shape the problem-solving process, and how you can use a problem to actually move your team or organization farther ahead.
• By doing so, you can become a change agent, one of the most difficult leadership tasks.