As I was preparing for the first session of the current Loyal Lieutenant online experience, I was speaking with a client whom I’ve been working with for over 15 years.
Our very first project was a 10 week coaching course for him as he stepped into the role of General Manager.
He had been promoted because the owner of the company observed that any time there was a problem, (and particularly when the owner was away), this employee sorted it out.
He was a natural problem solver.
We chatted about the mindset it requires to solve problems and to step into that 2IC role.
When I first started at Kip McGrath, I made a lot of changes to the systems, simply to make my job easier.
I too am a natural problem solver.
And I also believe this is both a skill and a mindset that can be learned and improved.
This is something pay particular attention to in The Loyal Lieutenant.
Problem solvers ask questions.
They look for easier ways to do things.
They don’t just accept “this is the way we do it around here” without questioning the efficiency of the way it’s done.
Problem solvers don’t ask for permission to fix things. They just fix them.
One skill problem solvers can improve though, is their ability to promote themselves. Not in an arrogant or brash way, neither in a coercive or controlling way, but to let the boss know what has been fixed.
For example, “The franchisees were complaining that we were sending their materials to the wrong address. I talked with the dispatch manager to understand how this could happen and as a result, we now ask the franchisees what their preferred postal and delivery addresses are for letters and parcels. We haven’t had any complaints about delivery in the past few weeks.”
If you don’t tell them, they won’t know. Promoting yourself is also a key skill.
If you’re a natural problem solver, please embrace this. Continue to fix thing and make sure to let those in charge know what you’ve fixed.
If you’re not a natural problem solver, don’t despair. You can develop the mindset of a problem solver. Give yourself permission to become a problem solver and set about finding better ways to do things. The choice is up to you.
You can learn to be a problem solver. It’s a skill and a mindset that is very valuable and in high demand. Your boss will love you for it.
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