Problem Solving: Why Great Leaders Must Master This Essential Skill

In your world, how are employees promoted into leadership positions? Is it the best test takers? The one who has the boss’s ear? The most senior employee? How many times have you seen the criteria be the best problem solver?

From our perspective, one of the most important skills a leader must possess and hone is the ability to identify and solve problems. When you are dealing with people — and you have the responsibility to grow individuals and teams — you must be prepared to deal with problems. All too often, leadership doesn’t deal with problems appropriately because it requires two things in short supply: critical thinking skills and time.

Allow me to give you some tips to help.

Build a Culture Where Problem Solving Thrives

1. Make Problem Solving Meetings Open, Honest, and Collaborative

Someone in your organization has the answer to your problem — and it’s more than likely someone at a lower level. But the answer is never heard because only leaders are “allowed” to have the solutions. BIG MISTAKE.

Involve everyone. Allow the intelligence of your people to help you save the day. Respect, trust, and progress are usually the result.

2. Break Down the Silos

Silos appear when big-picture thinking disappears — when each unit feels ignored or undervalued. The results?

• Politicking

• Turf protection

• Self-promotion

If you’re not constantly preaching the power of WE, you miss the opportunity for anyone and everyone to contribute to solving today’s problems.

3. Educate Your Leaders Early and Often

Problem solving, like leadership, is a skill. The more you do it, the easier (and more enjoyable) it becomes.

Educate your leaders. Support them. Grow them. Their confidence will be contagious — and meetings will become more productive.

4. Make Problem Solving Part of Your Culture

Thank your people for their contributions. Ask them for their opinions. Check on what problems they are experiencing. Run your challenges past them.

If problem solving isn’t positive, energizing, and tied to progress — at least now you know you’re doing it wrong.

Why Problem Solving Must Be a Team Effort

There are many approaches to problem solving — brainstorming, trial and error, algorithms, divide and conquer, root cause analysis, and more. All have pros and cons. Multiple approaches may be needed.

But one thing is clear:

They all work better with a group than with an individual.

Problem Solving Is a Core Leadership Skill

Great leadership is the culmination of many skills combined with the art of applying the right skill at the right time. And near the top of that list is the ability to problem solve enthusiastically.

If your organization encourages problem solving at every level, your future leaders will enter leadership already equipped with one of the most essential skills they will ever need.

So be that force for change. Become a daily problem solver.

Explore tools that empower individuals and teams. If this message inspired you to strengthen your problem solving culture, continue building practical leadership skills inside our Learning Hub.