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Train your future leaders one question at a time!

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Morning Minute 7.28.26

Don't Just Solve Problems—Develop Problem Solvers Train your future leaders one question at a time.

It's Tuesday afternoon.

One of your managers, Spencer, walks into your office.

"My team can't complete its work because Caitlin's team isn't providing the materials we need."

As the leader, what do you do?

You have three choices.

Option A: Solve the problem yourself.

It's fast. You investigate the issue, make the decision, and everyone gets back to work.

Unfortunately, you've also taught both managers to bring you their next problem.

Option B: Tell them to work it out themselves.

Maybe they'll collaborate.

Or, maybe they'll become better at defending their positions and blaming one another.

That is a major risk.

Option C: Turn the problem into a leadership lesson.

This approach takes a little more time. However, it develops two problem-solvers instead of solving just one problem.

Require both managers to answer/ these four questions individually—in writing.

Question 1: Exactly what is the problem?

You can't solve what you can’t clearly identify. Many disagreements begin because people are actually trying to solve different problems.

Question 2: What are all the possible causes?

Notice the word all.

After 40+ years in leadership, I’ve learned there is almost never only one cause. This question requires both managers to step back, think critically, and look beyond blame.

Question 3: What are all the possible solutions?

There is always more than one solution. Considering multiple solutions demonstrates flexibility and a willingness to cooperate.​

Now they're no longer defending positions. They're creating possibilities.

Question 4: Which solution do you recommend—and why?

The people closest to the problem often discover the best solutions.

Now each manager must think, evaluate, and take ownership of their recommendation.

The goal wasn't simply to solve today's problem. The goal was to develop two managers who are better prepared to solve tomorrow's problems.

Notice what just happened.

Organizations grow because leaders develop people who know how to solve problems.

Instead of announcing a problem, Spencer and Caitlin became responsible for understanding it, analyzing it, and recommending solutions.

They practiced collaboration.

They practiced critical thinking.

They practiced leadership.

Will they always solve every problem?

No.

There will still be times when you, the leader, must make the final decision.

However, each time you use this process, your managers become more capable, more confident, and better prepared for the next challenge.

Remember, organizations don't grow because leaders solve more problems.

They grow because leaders develop people who know how to solve problems.

Every answer you give solves today's problem.

Every thoughtful question you ask develops tomorrow's leader.

Remember:

Information without transformation is wasted energy!

Keep Learning. Keep Leading.

That is today's Morning Minute.

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Today's Morning Minute answers a concern that many have shared about disagreements between quality managers in a professional setting. It is my sincere hope that you will learn this process and use it frequently. I use it when well meaning people disagree about methods, decisions, and problems.

I strongly recommend that organizational leaders in many different disciplines employ this 4 question process not only to solve problems. Use it to teach your leaders to collaborate with each other. And, to discuss issues of policy and improvement with each other.

This is all part of organizational continuous improvement. Remember, growing your bench of future leaders is the best way to grow your organization...and your organization's influence and success.

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Here are some recent Morning Minutes you may have missed with actionable ideas, useful instruction, and step-by-step methods to help you, your family, and/or your team to be more, do more, and achieve more.

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​"The Personal Prison You Built For Yourself!" The greatest barriers to our success are often the ones we create in our own minds! Discover the 7 mental prisons that rob people of success. Learn how any one of these mental prisons can destroy or delay your personal success. Freedom begins with responsibility for your thoughts, your attitude, and your actions.
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(published by the Bonorato Creative Group, LLC; all rights reserved)