Own solutions.

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You’re at work, you discover a problem or discrepancy. What’s your next move?

If your first instinct is to run straight to your boss and dump it on their desk… that’s not helping you. You’re not in school, and your manager isn’t your parent.

They’re paying you to solve problems, not just point them out. Bringing your boss a list of issues doesn’t make you look smart – it makes you look needy.

If you want to grow, if you want to get noticed, start owning solutions.

Stop treating every roadblock like it’s someone else’s responsibility to clear.

Bosses don’t want more on their plate, more in their head. They want people who think for themselves, who don’t stop at the problem but push through to a plan of attack. Even if it’s not perfect, at least you’re showing you’re thinking. That’s how you build trust, responsibility, and the chance to move up.

And the best part is the more you solve, the more you learn. You’re not just showing initiative – you’re building skills. You’re proving you can think strategically, and that you’re invested in outcomes. That makes you an asset to the team.

Worried about making a mistake? You will – and you’ll learn from it. So stop waiting for direction. Be the person who figures things out.

Next time something goes wrong, don’t just hit your boss with the bad news. Bring both the problem and a solution – or at least a plan if it’s high stakes and you need a green light.

You’ll stand out, and you’ll stand taller.

At Red Fox Run, we specialize in strategic narratives and executive team optimization. Connect with me to learn more!