The First Step Toward Solutions

Blame is a barrier. Responsibility is the breakthrough.

Blame blocks solutions. When leaders blame, problems persist.

Look around. What you see is yours to own. Finger pointing delays progress. People won’t take responsibility until you do.

Own Problems to Find Solutions:

If you want others to take responsibility, lead the way.

#1 Imagine “better.”

Answers begin with problems, but don’t camp there. Escape the gravitational pull of problems. Lift your eyes and get a picture of what you want.

#2 Connect behaviors with “better.”

What are people doing when things go right? Make those behaviors clear.

#3 Make learning safe.

Don’t pretend you already know. Say, “I hadn’t thought of that,” when people offer suggestions. Choose to say, “Let’s try.” 

#4 Generate multiple solutions.

One solution limits thinking. Our brains turn from exploration to defending. Multiple solutions spark creativity.

#5 Evaluate frequently.

Ask:

• Are we on track?
• What’s working? What’s not?
• What needs to stop?
• What could be better—and how?

#6 Stay optimistic.

Don’t start the journey if you don’t believe things can be better.

#7 Aim high and low.

Aim high, but set reachable milestones. Progress fuels momentum. High aspirations alone are discouraging.

Successful leaders think about problems and challenges in terms of their responsibility, not someone else’s.

Nothing changes until leaders take responsibility.

Own the problems and create many solutions.

In blame filled environments, how can leaders take responsibility?

When Problem-Solving is a Problem