Demystifying Leadership: You Don't Have To Be The Solution-Provider

In the beginning

When I began my leadership journey, I was under the impression that every problem presented to me required a solution from my end. Reflecting on this journey, I want to share how a pivotal moment reshaped my understanding of leadership and highlighted the importance of listening and being “present” over problem-solving.

The Burden of Solution-Centric Leadership

In the initial stages of my leadership role, I saw myself as a solver of problems. Whenever someone approached me with an issue, I felt compelled to offer a solution. It was both liberating and exhilarating, I mean being the person who could find the answer. After all was that not one of the main responsibilities of leadership?

This constant pressure led me down a path of endless rumination. I often found myself dwelling on problems long after conversations ended, critiquing my responses, and wondering why certain solutions had not occurred to me sooner.

A Turning Point: The Unexpected Revelation

The turning point came during an ordinary interaction. Someone close to me shared a personal challenge, and instinctively, I began to offer a suite of solutions. But their response caught me off guard:

"…you realise that not every one that comes to you with an issue are looking for you to provide a solution..."

This simple statement was a revelation and has had a profound impact on my view of leadership.

Embracing a New Perspective: Listening and Empathy

This realization was liberating. I began to see my role not just as an analytical person, but as a listener and an empathizer. I learned to hold back my immediate instincts to solve and instead focus on listening to what was being said, understanding the person and their perspective. This approach allowed me to connect more profoundly with my team and understand their needs better.

I got to know that people came to me not for my voice but for my ears. They came to me not for my brain power but for my heart. People came to me not for my intelligence but for my wisdom.

Key Lessons

1. Prioritizing Understanding: I now prioritize understanding the issue and the emotions behind it, rather than jumping straight to solutions.
2. Empathy Over Solutions: Demonstrating empathy has become a key aspect of my leadership, building deeper trust and connections.
3. Encouraging Self-Resolution: I have learned that guiding my team to find their own solutions is often more empowering than providing one myself.
4. Continuous Self-Reflection: This journey has taught me the importance of self-reflection and the need to constantly evolve as a leader.

Conclusion

My leadership journey has taught me that leadership is not just about solving problems, but about understanding, empathizing, and connecting with others.

I know that many in positions wear this constant pressure to be a solution-provider like a two-tonne medallion around their necks. This feeling that your position as a leader is vastly undermined if you cannot find a solution to issues.

Realizing however that not every problem brought to my attention requires me to be the solution-provider has transformed my approach, creating a more supportive and empathetic leadership style.