Room for Improvement

Don't focus on whose fault it is

When there is a problem, I have always had a strong impulse to let people know that it wasn’t my fault. But that’s something I have to rein in as a leader.

Leadership means that it might not be your fault, but it is still your problem. DON’T focus on placing blame. Use problems as “learning experiences,” and grow your people in problem-SOLVING.

Come to people with a solution, and ask them if they have any ideas to make it better. Work toward a positive goal. Share a vision of what fixing this issue will be like. People prefer to work TOWARD something. Guide your team toward a better version of the situation.