In my years facilitating the HPM Consortium, one issue has been consistent: the inability to solve problems effectively and sustain results. Most organizations rely on their leaders to solve problems, but not all provide leaders with the tools and thinking to be effective problem-solvers.

In the Front Line Leadership development program, we dedicate an entire module to a leader’s role in problem-solving.   The module's objectives are to understand the problem-solving process, create an environment that engages your people, and provide the confidence to launch a problem-solving team.

The following are things to consider when leading a problem-solving team effectively.

1. Create an environment for problem-solving. This includes creating a no-blame environment (focus on the process, not the people), creating a no-fear environment (allowing people to try things without the fear of failure), being curious, not judgemental, and providing an open environment for your team to speak openly but also being aware of the impact of what you say has on others around you.

2. Curiosity + Trust + Conflict = Success. Curiosity is always asking questions and never making assumptions.   The speed of implementation gains trust. Leaders need to create a positive conflict environment.

3. Respond, don’t react. Reacting is immediate and emotional, while responding is taking time and space to think before you act.

4. Watch out for reverse delegation. People like to unload their problems on leaders. Instead of taking ownership of the problem, engage the person to solve it with your guidance so they maintain ownership.

5. Engage in "last-mile data thinking." People have issues with translating data. Last-mile data thinking is a technique for making data easy for everyone to understand. This includes using visual tools such as graphs, Pareto charts, and performance boards.

6. Develop pattern recognition. Most problems have patterns.  Leaders need to develop the skills to see the patterns.

7. Your story should read both up and down. When reporting on problem-solving, ask your team to start with the solution and work backwards to the initial problem. This will ensure a strong connection between problem and solution.

8. Always show your work. Solving the problem is not enough. Teams need to demonstrate how they solved so we can observe their thinking and whether they have the skills and logic to solve future problems.