Leaders are problem-solvers.
One problem some leaders have difficulty solving is the problem of getting those who work for them to think for themselves.
A CEO was sharing with me his frustration with the problem of problem-solving. I asked him:
- What role do you play that’s preventing your people for thinking for themselves?
- Are you prepared to let them learn by allowing them to fail?
The next time one of your leaders brings you a problem they expect you to solve, ask them:
- What’s the problem you’re trying to solve?
- What are three options for solving it?
- Which of those three options is the best solution?
- What decision would you make if you were me?
- What’s keeping you from making that decision on your own?
Until you hold yourself accountable for requiring your leaders to bring you solutions and not problems, the ability for your organization to grow and flourish will be directly proportional to the amount of work you can personally oversee.
Bam! You’ve just hit a wall.