In our company we have a dream employee, I will call A. When I have a problem, I will discuss it with A. We will brainstorm the problem for a few minutes and then each will review some more facts about the problem. and discuss our findings an hour later. At that time we will make a good decision to solve the problem.
A is an “indispensable member” of our team. A is intelligent, well-organized, honest, full of integrity, fair-minded, always listens carefully to others, will always do the right thing, and can be trusted to help solve problems and take responsibility for his actions in our company. In other words, A is a leader.
Do you have a team member like A on your work team? Wouldn’t you like every member of your team to be like our “A-team member”?
Remember that leaders take responsibility for their actions and when a mistake is made they admit it and correct it immediately. A leader stands for honesty and integrity and accepts responsibility for his or her actions and does not blame someone else. President Harry Truman said it best. “The money stops here!”
What are five things you can do to solve problems and promote leadership in your company?
1) Be a leader who has the courage of your convictions, honor, integrity, morality, is impartial, well organized, listens to others, will always do the right thing all the time, has a code of ethics and a clear and decisive passionate belief in the right way to do business.
2) Always have a pen and paper handy, wherever you are, in case you think of a solution to your problem. Think of yourself as a detective like Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson and search for your solutions at work or at home.
3) Every day give yourself time to reflect on your problems. Be observant and a good listener. Start thinking how to solve your problems today! Have a burning desire to solve your problems and never, ever give up!
4) Continue to increase your knowledge in your chosen field by taking continuing education courses each year to improve your skills in your chosen field and reading books by experts in your field each month to enhance your expertise in your field. Never stop learning. As Dr. Einstein says, “The most important thing is not to stop questioning.”
5) Surround yourself with experts, your “Brains Trust” – competent people who know your business and markets, are like-minded, and have strong, steadfast brainpower to help you achieve your goals. When you have a problem, ask your experts what they would suggest by going around the table and listening carefully to your experts. Then make informed decisions.
The next time you decide to whine and complain instead of being a problem solver, I want you to ask yourself the following question: “If I take this action, will it make me proud?” This is the #1 question I ask my kids and students to remember to ask themselves before they make a serious error in judgment.
So train your team members at your company to be problem solvers, and before you hire a new team member for your company, ask them how they would solve a particular problem. What steps would you take to solve a difficult problem? His answer will tell you if he is the right person for your company, a problem solver, a leader.
Remember that you want to hire problem solvers, leaders, who take responsibility for their actions.