4 problem-solving tips
Florin Lungu
Helping executives close leadership gaps & maximize leadership impact without compromising core values or people skills | Executive Coach | Leadership Strategist
In my first leadership role, I was promoted from among a team of automobile software engineers.
I was thrilled! Not just thrilled to have a leadership title, but thrilled for the opportunities it came with – thrilled for the chance to exercise some of my strengths, and to serve my team in ways I could not before.
There was only one problem…
I was promoted from among my team. So they went from being my coworkers to being my downline overnight. They had to report to me, but they were my friends. The way they saw it, the only difference in my role was that now, I worked in an office instead of in the workshop.
When I asked them for project updates, they would just laugh and wave me away. “Don’t play boss with us, Florin!”
I could never imagine saying this to my boss! But more importantly, I could never imagine saying this to someone who had influence with me. I had enjoyed working on the team, but camaraderie and influence do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.
This can be a difficult balance to strike among leaders.
Developing a relationship with one’s team is fundamental to their leadership. After all, there is no influence without relationship, and as leadership expert John Maxwell says,
“Leadership is influence – nothing more, nothing less.”
But on the other side of the spectrum, a leader cannot simply be everyone’s best friend. Leadership mandates a level of accountability.
It was clear that my new title did not come with influence, and I could not demand it – so I could have to earn it.
How? By problem-solving.
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When my team had something to say, I listened. If they complained, I leant in. I took notes. I went back to my own upline and became my team’s advocate, using my new leadership leverage to solve their problems wherever I could.
And once my team knew that I had not only the authority, but also the desire, to make their jobs easier, they began to respond to me differently. They no longer thought I was “playing boss” – they saw me as their leader.
Problem-solving is the fastest way I know to gain influence. In one motion, it demonstrates…
And what’s better – problem-solving not only creates influence, but doubles as a boost to performance and productivity. The more problems you are able to solve, the fewer things preventing your people from fulfilling their professional potential.
If problem-solving is an area in which you’re trying to grow, try assessing some problems from a new perspective:
I believe it – and so should you!
That’s all for now,
Florin
P.S. Want to learn more about problem-solving and leadership? Leading on Mondays
Mindful leadership and training
2 年Florian, I loved how you blended the intellectual and the intuitive side of problem solving in your article. So many “solutions “ are sourced solely in the logic side of the spectrum. We as humans are so much more! Excellent article.