How much time do you spend solving everyone else’s problems?

At my latest workshop when we were looking at how to save time with unnecessary interruptions from other team members…one of the business owners said he tells his team ‘do not bring me problems, bring me solutions’.

What he meant by this is whenever they come in to see him with a problem or face a challenging situation, they must also provide at least two solutions.

This makes them use their own initiative and not push the responsibility back on the owner.

Let’s face it, we all have a lazy streak in us, some more than others. If you have a problem and know people who willingly solve them for you, you can often look for the easiest way out and without even bothering to come up with a viable solution, automatically seek that person out.

When clients ask me what do I think or what should they do about a particular situation, I’ll automatically say to them “what do you think you should do?” If they respond with “I don’t know” I always say to them "What would you do if you did know?” That almost always works and they provide the solution.

This works extremely well with your kids. When my son or daughter come to me looking for a solution , the first thing I say is “what do you think” or “what do you believe you should do?”.

So if you’re constantly in the habit of being interrupted by others and solving their problems, the next time it happens, ask that person to provide a couple of solutions before you jump in with one.

Have a great week!
Lorraine

P.S. By the way, there could be another reason why you constantly get interrupted by your team or other people, it could be that you have difficulty saying ‘no’ or perhaps you need to improve your communication skills. Our Masterful Manager’s Intensive Program will show you how to become highly effective at managing your team and be the best you can possibly be.