Most high performers are good problem solvers. Great, actually. It’s often how they became, or ultimately become, leaders. This can be difficult to turn off as the first response when presented with a problem. And while there are absolutely some situations where it’s appropriate to be an active part of crafting a solution quickly, many times there’s an opportunity to empower the person(s) presenting the issue to think through possible solutions.
Step one is being able to get out of the ever-common “It will just be faster for me to do it” mode (intentional or instinctual). Then, acknowledge that the person is capable of solving the problem and assess if this is a growth moment for the team member(s). The simplest starting point is to lean on the individual’s role responsibilities: Is this a problem where their active ‘solutioning’ will meet or enhance their foundational performance expectations? Taking it a step further: Will it aid in their growth goals?
In any case, if approached with encouragement around their capabilities and a clear understanding as to why you see this as a good opportunity for them to showcase their problem solving skills, not only does the team member develop, but it will free up your time and headspace in the future as you build up a team of high-achievers. And while there will also be instances where you need to challenge the person out of their comfort zone or help unblock where their current mindsets aren’t allowing them to see a path forward, what a great supplemental leadership opportunity for you beyond actively cultivating your next generation of leaders!
It’s eye opening when you realize how many small moments in real-time pass by in the workplace where you could help others be the best in their roles. So as an exercise, over the next week keep the question of ‘Is this a growth opportunity for the person(s) in front of me?’ top-of-mind when presented with a problem, and I’d bet you’ll be hard pressed to find no less than two instances where the answer is ‘Yes.’ Integrating this into your working mindset longterm will aid in creating a high-functioning team that knows you trust in their skills, and what better leadership accolade is there?
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