Problem Solvers Rule!

Problem solvers can make your day, in your personal life and at work! Apart from me, there are at least two others that Susan, my wife, loves. One is Marina our local tailor, the other Phil our local boot repairer.
 
Why? Nothing is a problem to them. Take any difficult repair job, the answer is always “not a problem. I will fix this for you”. It made me think that the most valuable people on this planet are problem solvers.
 
Have you noticed how quick and easy it is to find problems? And how quickly we often hope that someone else will fix it for us – like the Government or local politician?
 
For Marina and Phil, you can almost see their eyes light up when there is a difficult issue to repair.
 

Good Leaders And Managers Are Good Problem Solvers

 
Good leaders are problem solvers when it comes to dealing with ‘difficult relationships’, building an engaging culture or enhancing trust. My rule of thumb when working with senior managers is 98% of the success of any relationship/culture/trust building is up to you.
 
What is it that you can change about you, or your style, to have any chance of ‘connecting’, engaging or building trust with others?
 
Good managers are problem solvers too, especially when it comes to task and technical challenges. However, I would argue that the best problem solving arises when collaboration is in play also. Afterall, two heads are better than one.
 

Be Aware Of The Problem Solving Cycle:

1. The starting point is self-awareness.
   How well do you know you? What do those you lead say about you at the watercooler? Why would anyone follow you anyway? Great leaders have the courage to ask for feedback around their leadership. Do you have mindset of ‘can do’?
2. Next is to Build your Interpersonal Flexibility.
   A language I use here is “Are you RED or BLUE’’ behaviour in your attitude towards others? Those leaders who tend to have constructive, high trust relationships and productive relationships tend to be more BLUE in their flexibility. If you are more RED – good luck. Leading others becomes hard work and a chore.
3. Building Trust
   Trust maximises the value of your important relationships. Trust can take a long time to build, but only seconds to destroy – especially if there is little or no ‘deposits’ in the Emotional Bank Account or EBA. Another expression describing the EBA is actively watering the garden – actively showing interest and building rapport with others.
4. Achieving results through Collaboration
   That is the ultimate goal. The stakeholders around you are your customers. Look after them and the results and excellence flows.

Susan will not look anywhere else when it comes to repairing either clothing (Marina) or shoes/leather (Phil). Nothing is a problem, there is a solution to all challenges and they take full responsibility for getting the job done.

Does this sound like the mantra for either your leadership or your team?

If it is not, lets talk!

Have a fantastic break and set up 2023 as a year of collaboration and community

Wayne
0402 300999