Sunday 10:00am
A client recently brought up his concerns about team members sometimes bringing him problems , dumping them on his lap , and expecting him to “ fix ” things simply because he holds the highest position in the org chart . Consider the following when it comes to leadership and problem solving :
--Problem solving 101 . Before you go to a leader of an organization in a knee-jerk fashion by saying , “ we have a problem ,” team members need to think and consider possible options and potential solutions . That doesn ’ t mean that they know exactly what to do , but they have thought about it .
--Why doesn ’ t this happen more often ? Many team members have what I call the “ I am not the leader , you are ” philosophy . That approach won ’ t work on the best teams that have to be innovative and successful . What I am advocating is that on the best teams , “ everyone is a leader .”
--What is the job of the leader of the team who isn ’ t at the highest level on the organizational chart ? The leader who has had a problem dumped on his lap should ask effective questions of team members and help them to be the most effective leaders they can be .
--A “ fix it ” mentality is not the best approach for a leader who wants to build the best team possible . It creates unintended consequences . More specifically , if a leader is the “ Mr . Fix It ” team members come to expect , he will simply fix any problem , and that leader enables others not to think for themselves .
Steve Adubato , PhD , is the author of five books including his latest , " Lessons in Leadership ". He is an Emmy ® Award-winning anchor with programs airing on Thirteen / WNET ( PBS ) and NJ PBS who has appeared on CNN , FOX5 NY and NBC ' s Today Show . Steve Adubato ' s " Lessons in Leadership " video podcast with co-host Mary Gamba airs Sundays at 10:00 a . m . on News 12 +. For more information visit www . Stand-Deliver . com