Time to Read: 2 min.

“Don’t bring me problems, bring me solutions.” This phrase, a staple in the leadership lexicon, is often touted as a hallmark of effective leadership. But what if this well-intentioned directive is misguided? Could it be that this approach leads to poor decision-making and missed opportunities for growth?

Consider these two common scenarios in the business world:

Rising Expenses: The typical knee-jerk reaction? Slash travel, meals, entertainment, and training budgets.

Falling Sales Forecasts: The go-to solution? Offer customers incentives to boost quarter-end sales.

While these strategies might offer immediate relief, they often exacerbate problems in the long run. Cutting expenses can damage customer relationships and employee morale, often leading to higher future costs. Similarly, quarter-end incentives might temporarily spike sales but at the cost of reduced profit margins and customer manipulation of sales cycles.

The Pitfalls of “Solution-First” Mindset. The mandate to “bring solutions” encourages a short-term, quick-fix mentality. We often celebrate these as “quick wins” or “low-hanging fruit.” Yet, these short-sighted solutions frequently lead to bigger, more complex problems down the line.

Adopting a Problem-Centric Approach. What if we shift our mindset and encourage a deeper examination of problems? Incorporating the following strategies can lead to more sustainable and effective solutions:

• The Five Whys Technique: Popularized by Toyota, this method involves asking “why” five times to unearth the root cause of a problem, which often differs from its initial appearance.

• What-If Storming: Instead of jumping straight into solution mode, engage in “what-if” scenarios to ignite curiosity and foster creativity and innovation.

• Evaluating the Knock-On Effect: Carefully consider the long-term implications of short-term decisions on stakeholder value creation.

In many organizations, bad news doesn’t travel well upwards. The pressure to perform in the short term can lead to hasty judgments and myopic decisions. By suspending judgment and striving to understand problems in-depth, we can foster an environment of psychological safety and create a culture of understanding. This approach not only saves time and resources in the long run but also enhances team engagement and organizational health.

So, the next time someone approaches you with a problem, say thank-you, and see what happens.