Value · Chapter 14: Problem Solving — Creating Solutions Together
Problem Solving in Leadership
Creating Solutions Together
Your team perceives that problems are either avoided, escalated upward, or solved without their input. Collaborative problem solving builds capability and buy-in simultaneously.
When it is strong
- •The next time a significant problem arises, convene the team and say: 'Here is the challenge. What are your ideas?' Facilitate, do not dictate.
- •Create a standing agenda item in team meetings called 'Current Challenges' where the team identifies and works through problems together.
- •When a team member brings you a problem, ask: 'What have you already tried? What do you think the best next step is?' before offering your perspective.
- •Share a problem you are personally working through with your team and ask for their input. This models collaborative problem solving from the top.
When it is missing
From a team member's point of view, the absence of problem solving creates uncertainty. People may begin to work around the leader, hold back honest input, or question whether support will be available when it matters.
The specific pattern is not a label for a person—it is useful feedback about what the team experiences repeatedly.
How teams experience this
When leaders solve every problem themselves, the team never develops the muscle to solve problems independently. You become the bottleneck instead of the accelerator.
Leadership Mirror is designed to compare a leader's intentions with the patterns their team actually experiences. That gap is where a constructive development conversation can begin.
A question your team reflects on
This component includes 2 anonymous team-feedback prompts. One example is:
“When challenges arise, this leader approaches them with a solution-focused mindset rather than panic or blame.”
How to improve
- 1The next time a significant problem arises, convene the team and say: 'Here is the challenge. What are your ideas?' Facilitate, do not dictate.
- 2Create a standing agenda item in team meetings called 'Current Challenges' where the team identifies and works through problems together.
- 3When a team member brings you a problem, ask: 'What have you already tried? What do you think the best next step is?' before offering your perspective.
- 4Share a problem you are personally working through with your team and ask for their input. This models collaborative problem solving from the top.
- 5After a problem is resolved, conduct a brief debrief: 'What worked? What would we do differently?' Build the learning into the team's culture.
See beyond self-perception
Do you know how your team rates you on Problem Solving?
Leadership Mirror measures problem solving alongside 20 other leadership components through anonymous team feedback, so you can see how your leadership is experienced—not just how it is intended.