Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.” ~ General Colin Powell
The General’s quote is a reminder to the leader, but advice should those of us followers follow?
How about this: Don’t just offer problems. Offer solutions. Leaders love a problem packaged with the way to fix it. Plus, offer a solution and you’re more likely to be allowed to lead the whole group forward through solving it. And, that’s a great opportunity to practice driving change.
Why not try?
I once had a boss who would say to me “Don’t bring me a problem without a solution.” To this day I see him moving his hands in this order…He’d flip his right palm up and say “Problem” then he’d flip his left palm up and say “Solution”. Problem…solution, problem…solution. I soon learned not to go into his office without a solution. Then, one day I was called into his office and offered a management position.