Is 'fixing' getting you stuck in the weeds?

I was on the phone to a friend the other day...we were trying to sort out train tickets to an event and I was talking through the different options when I heard...

"Leave it with me, I'll sort it."

And just like that she'd taken the job away from me.

I should've been pleased.

After all, I had loads of other stuff to do, but I also knew that my friend was busy too...and she'd fallen into her age old trap of 'fixing'.

Sound familiar?

Your team come to you with problems and questions (that you know they should know the answer to) but instead you find yourself telling them what to do, or even taking it off them completely.

After all if you do that, it'll get them away from your desk quicker, right?!

But the real problem here is that you're training your team that you're there to fix everything, which means....

1) You're always getting interrupted,

2) Your to do list is rapidly growing at a rate of knots as you find yourself getting involved in things that you shouldn't need to.

3) Your team don't feel empowered at all and are probably really frustrated

And...you're on a slippery slope that heads straight down to you feeling very much stuck in the weeds!

I often think of this like tying your kids laces.

At some point every parent faces the time when they teach their kids to tie their own laces. It takes a while and it's tricky but then they get it...Hurray!

Then comes the time when you're late for school and your little one is desperately trying to tie their own laces...and then what do you do because you need to hurry up??

Tie their laces for them!

And then what happens if you're not careful?

Either a life time of doing their laces or swapping to velcro shoes!!!

This is the same thing...it's teaching your team that you're there to answer all their questions and solve all their problems...and you do, causing you to get really fed up, resentful, working all hours and blaming your team.

If you can relate, and you'd like to get your time back ...and really empower your team it's time to start training yourself to start nudging back.

1. First things first. Look for any common questions or problems that keep getting asked, as it might just be a training issue. If so, start there.
2. Instead of jumping in for the fix, ask them what they think, what ideas they've got, what they've tried already, and what they think the answer is. Encourage them to come up with their own answers, and discuss what they come up with so everyone's happy.
3. Be patient. You might find yourself really wanting to just tell your team what they need to do, or fall back into your old habits, but this is a case of short term pain for long term gain...and your team (and you) will be happier and have more time in the long run.

Want more help?

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Barbara Nixon is an international Success and Leadership Coach for Managing Directors and Senior Leaders. Helping them to get out of the weeds, get the headspace they need, step away from imposter syndrome, grow their confidence and feel like the leader they are.

She has been featured in Addicted2Success, BBC Radio Leeds, BBC Radio Sheffield, and BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour.

Direct message to find out more about her 1-1 programme, supporting your team of senior leaders, or booking her workshops for your audience.